California Poultry Federation Headline News

Edited by Mark Looker

A news service of the California Poultry Federation, 4640 Spyres Way, Suite 4, Modesto, CA 95356  (209) 576-6355  www.cpif.org.
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Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009

• Congress Moving To Lift Ban on Chinese Chicken Imports - - House and Senate negotiators are poised to sign off on a new Agriculture appropriations measure that contains emergency aid to U.S. dairy farmers and lifts a two-year-old ban on Chinese poultry imports. The original House-passed bill continued a ban on Chinese poultry imports, which Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said should remain in place. DeLauro wanted USDA to correct what she described as a flawed process for assessing food safety. The Senate bill allowed poultry imports from China if certain standards were met. The conference report takes the Senate approach, authorizing the Agriculture Department to allow Chinese poultry imports once it determines that they meet food safety standards equivalent to those in the United States.  <more> Sept. 30, 2009 CQPolitics.com  
   

• Judge tosses evidence in Oklahoma poultry pollution trial  - - Eleven poultry companies being sued for polluting a northeastern Oklahoma watershed persuaded a judge Wednesday to exclude portions of government reports purportedly describing problems associated with chicken waste in the Illinois River valley and what to do about it.  The reports were the first key pieces of evidence submitted by the state on the first day of testimony. State attorneys had planned to use the documents to show the poultry industry was largely responsible for pollution in the watershed on the Oklahoma-Arkansas border. <more> Sept. 30, 2009 AP   
   

• Schwarzenegger seeks overhaul of state tax system - - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed a plan Tuesday to radically alter the way Californians pay taxes, calling on state lawmakers to make dramatic changes before year's end to take the state off the "roller coaster ride" of boom-and-bust budgets. The governor called a special session of the Legislature to consider proposals in a 415-page report from a government commission that spent nine months studying ways to modernize the state's tax system. Among the ideas from the bipartisan Commission on the 21st Century Economy presented in the report and draft legislation are dramatically reduced income levies and a revolutionary new business tax that would replace existing retail sales and corporation taxes. <more> Sept. 30, 2009 LA Times  

    
   

• Thank You - - Today marks my final production of Headline News for the California Poultry Federation as  I end my contract to provide communication services to the CPF. I would like to thank all of those who have contacted me since my announcement last week and expressed their best wishes. It has been a challenging, rewarding and fun ride for the past 17 years. Starting tomorrow, Cody Penfold takes over publication of CPF Headline News as well as other communication duties. He will be making some changes to the format of Headline News which I think you will like, giving it a much needed overhaul. The appearance may change but the CPF's commitment to bringing you the most up to date and accurate information about the dynamic California poultry industry will not change. I have been overwhelmed by the expressions of appreciation and support over the past week. Thank you for your kind words and as I've said before, I'm not really going anywhere as I will continue to live in Modesto and work on behalf of California farmers through Looker Communications Consulting. I can be reached at marklooker@yahoo.com As we old-time journalists write at the end of each article, that's -30- for this story.  Sept. 30, 2009

• Glass half full for California water, as administration seeks new science study -- The nation's most respected scientists should re-examine California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the controversial measures now protecting it, the Obama administration declared Wednesday. In a nod to Central Valley residents and their increasingly angry congressional allies, the administration agreed to seek an independent review by the National Academy of Sciences. The study, announced at an often-heated public hearing Wednesday morning, would include a search for alternative environmental protections that might demand less sacrifice from farmers. "This is a huge priority for the president and for me," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said. "We will do our part." <more> Sept. 30, 2009 McClatchy

   

• Cardoza blasts Interior over lack of action on San Joaquin Valley drought - - During a meeting today with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and other top officials with the Department of Interior, Congressman Cardoza took aim at the lack of government action in addressing the San Joaquin Valley’s drought. As a result of water curtailments to farmers in the heart of California, an estimated 40,000 jobs have been lost and thousands of acres of prime farmland have been fallowed. “My definition of ‘crisis’ is a disaster that requires an immediate response,” said Congressman Cardoza. “By no definition of the word crisis has the federal government responded appropriately. Instead of red lights and fire trucks, I see business as usual. We all know that this crisis will not end even if we have a wet year. It is time to face this crisis head-on and finally take action.” California’s San Joaquin Valley farmers are currently in their third year of drought. In addition to the natural drought, farmers are also faced with a “regulatory drought” from regulatory requirements that have cut back their water allocations from the San Joaquin Delta. <more> Sept. 30, 2009 Cardoza Press Release
   

• More water set for release for San Joaquin River - - There won't be a ceremony Thursday - just the flip of a few switches at Friant Dam, probably sometime before noon. A couple of 3-foot valves will open. And within seconds, more water will rush into the San Joaquin River, kicking off one of the most ambitious river restoration projects ever. The nine-year project - the culmination of a legal settlement between farmers and environmentalists - will eventually reconnect the 350-mile river to the Pacific Ocean. Salmon could one day migrate from near Fresno to the ocean along portions of river that are now dry.  <more> Sept. 30, 2009 Fresno Bee

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Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009

• Cage law could end up in court - - Many California egg producers will turn to colony housing systems for their hens in spite of protests by Humane Society of the United States that the systems comply with Proposition 2. Valley Center egg producer Ryan Armstrong, who was heavily involved in the effort to defeat Prop. 2, said he believes up to 80 percent of producers will change their systems before the 2015 deadline to comply with the law mandating more space for egg-laying hens. Last week, when Modesto egg producer J.S. West announced it is spending $3.2 million to build the first "colony system" for housing laying hens, HSUS said the system would not fulfill requirements of the law. <more> Sept. 29, 2009 Capital Press      

   

• State wants judge to punish poultry companies  - - The first witness has yet to be called in Oklahoma's 2005 pollution lawsuit against the Arkansas poultry industry, and the state's attorneys are already asking a judge to reprimand the companies for violating court rules and making other distortions during opening arguments last week.  It's an early sign that suggests the case, which accuses poultry giants like Tyson Foods Inc. and Cargill Inc. of polluting a northeastern Oklahoma watershed with bird waste, could be a long slog, as every detail is held up to scrutiny. Testimony is scheduled to begin Wednesday, and the case could last weeks. <more> Sept. 29, 2009 AP

   

• Calif. tax panel's ideas meet political skeptics -- A state commission is expected to submit a report Tuesday to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers that recommends bold changes to California's tax system. But it's being met by political skepticism before the ink dries. The Commission on the 21st Century Economy is expected to recommend repealing the sales and corporate taxes, flattening the income tax rate and taxing businesses in a way that has never been tried on a wide scale in the United States . A draft copy of the report obtained by The Associated Press showed the commission will recommend that the cash-strapped state change its personal income tax structure to reduce the burden on the wealthy. It also recommends replacing the state sales and corporate taxes with a new business levy that taxes net receipts, in an attempt to tax the value of all goods and services businesses produce in the state. <more> Sept. 29, 2009 AP
   

• Animal Health Institute launches Healthy Animal website - - The Animal Health Institute has launched the Healthy Animals campaign website at  www.healthyanimals.org. . The site is broken down into three focus areas – Zoonotic Diseases, Pets, and Food Safety – which were selected based on  AHI research with policymakers and search engine keyword results.  Each section includes links to related materials, resources, videos and podcasts.  Sept. 29, 2009 AHI Notice

• Boxer, Kerry Set to Introduce Climate Bill in Senate - - Ending some nine months of closed-door deliberations, Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.) will release global warming legislation Wednesday that they hope will be the vehicle for broader Senate negotiations and an eventual conference with the House. The bill's authors said last week that they expect to start hearings early next month on the bill, with a markup in Boxer's Environment and Public Works Committee to follow soon thereafter. They also acknowledged that their legislation is just a "starting point" in a bid to win over moderate and conservative Democrats, as well as Republicans. <more> Sept. 29, 2009 NY Times
   

• Parra launches new business - - Former Assembly Member Nicole Parra, who recently left a job with the Schwarzenegger administration, has opened up her own consulting shop called NMP Consulting -- for Nicole Marie Parra. The Democrat-turned independent runs the business out of her condo in downtown Fresno and says she has seven clients so far that she assists with government relations, including a school district and engineering firm.  <more> Sept. 29, 2009 Fresno Bee

   

• The 10 Reasons They Hate You So - -You think critics of modern food production just don't understand the realities of farming? But consider how little you may understand about the philosophy behind their complaints. <more> Sept. 29, 2009 Truthinfood.com

Monday, Sept. 28, 2009

• Beijing gets tough on US poultry sales - - Beijing launched anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into imports of US chicken products on Sunday in a snub to conciliatory actions from US lawmakers, who plan to lift a ban on imports of Chinese poultry products. The Obama administration on Friday praised a decision to lift import restrictions and replace them with stricter inspections of Chinese supply chains, after the main opponents of Chinese poultry imports in Congress withdrew support for a blanket ban. That decision did not stop China's ministry of commerce from launching investigations into US chicken imports two days later in a move the US poultry industry has warned could seriously harm trade with its biggest export market. <more> Sept. 28, 2009 Financial Times 

   

• It's Free-Range Turkey for First Lady Michelle Obama - - There's another Obama burger in town, but this time it's in honor of Michelle. Former Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelsohn concocted a new burger dubbed "Michelle's Melt" for his Capitol Hill burger joint, the Good Stuff Eatery, and is debuting it tomorrow on Good Morning America. "The First Lady is a good customer and I was embarrassed to just have the Prez Obama burger on our menu," Mendelsohn says in a press release, referring to a trip Michelle Obama and her staff made to the restaurant in May. It’s a free-range turkey burger with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and South Lawn herb-garden mayo on a whole wheat bun. <more> Sept. 28, 2009 US News & World Report
   

• U.S. Poultry & Egg Association Accepting Applications for Clean Water Award - - U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is accepting applications for the 2010 Clean Water Awards.  The award recognizes outstanding water treatment plant performance in the poultry industry.  Winners will be announced at the Association’s Environmental Management Seminar in New Orleans, March 17-18, 2010. There are two categories for the award: one for full treatment facilities - those that fully reclaim their wastewater prior to discharge into receiving water or final land application system, and one for pretreatment facilities - those that discharge pretreated effluent to publicly-owned full treatment facilities. Any USPOULTRY member company is eligible to submit one nominee in each category.  Facilities which have previously won the award may not be re-nominated for five years. The deadline for submitting applications is December 31, 2009.  An evaluation committee will review the application package and select two semifinalist facilities in each category. The review committee will then visit the semifinalist facilities to select the award recipients.  The committee includes university personnel, industry engineers and managers, and state regulatory officials. Award recipients will receive a trophy, be profiled on the USPOULTRY web site, and receive assistance from the association in publicizing the award on a local, regional, and national level. For more information on the Clean Water Award, contact: Paul Bredwell; vice president environmental programs, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, 1530 Cooledge Road, Tucker, GA 30084-7303; (770) 493-9401; Fax: (770) 493-9257; or E-mail pbredwell@poultryegg.org. Sept. 28, 2009 USPEA Press Release       
   

• Grocery program rewards students' hard work - - Alexis Alba won't have a regular job anytime soon, but the third-grader already has provided for her family. She is taking part in an effort, launched Friday, that offers biweekly bags of groceries from food banks to children in four after-school programs in Modesto and Livingston. The effort, underwritten by the Foster Farms poultry company, requires the students to complete eight hours a week of homework, sports and other supervised activities. "There is a real moral lesson in this, which is if you work hard and excel, you are compensated for it," said Ira Brill, director of marketing and advertising services for Foster Farms. He said the effort, dubbed Food 4 Thought, is especially needed with the high jobless rate in the San Joaquin Valley. Brill got Foster Farms involved after joining the Second Harvest board. That agency supplies the Modesto schools and the Merced County Food Bank handles Campus Park. The poultry company is Livingston's largest employer. "Foster Farms is well-known, and the fact that they are willing to do this is a wonderful thing for everybody," said George Solis, principal at Campus Park. <more> Sept. 28, 2009 Modesto Bee
  
  
  
  
  
   

• For San Joaquin River, a historic reawakening - - It all starts Thursday with a gentle surge of water to be released from Friant Dam into the San Joaquin River. A massive, unprecedented and unpredictable river restoration project will begin, reawakening miles of dried riverbed and salmon runs that have been extinct for six decades. Since the dam was built in the 1940s, long stretches of the river have been dry. Parts have become a gutter for the San Joaquin Valley, collecting muddy seepage, trash and abandoned cars. Now, in a nine-year effort that could cost up to $1.2 billion, the 350-mile San Joaquin will be reconnected with the Pacific Ocean. Salmon, which once teemed in its waters, may again migrate from near Fresno to the ocean. <more> Sept. 28, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• A fishy tale about California water - - By Victor Davis Hanson - - California is in an uproar over water. Nearly a quarter-million acres worth of contracted federal irrigation deliveries have been cut from the big farms of the west side of the San Joaquin Valley in central California. The water in large part is being diverted to the salty San Francisco Bay and the Delta to improve marine ecology. The result of the cutbacks is that many crops in the San Joaquin Valley have gone unplanted. Farm income is down. Thousands of farm laborers are unemployed. Growers and workers are now livid at environmentalists, federal bureaucrats and judges for worrying more about fish than about people and food growing.  Environmentalists counter that the real cause of the cutoff is an ongoing drought. They argue there are too many claims on too little fresh water with no margin of safety in dry years like this one. The problem is not just saving tiny Delta smelt or salmon, but a larger one of living within our means and not polluting our fragile ecosystem. Emotion colors the arguments of both sides. The west side is not yet a "dust bowl," as claimed on Fox News, and San Francisco Bay and the Delta will not turn stagnant, as some environmentalists fret. The majority of west-side land is still farmed, and the bay is far cleaner than it was decades ago. <more> Sept. 28, 2009 Fresno Bee

   

• Jim Boren: Republicans' role in water crisis - - To hear all the shouting over the lack of water for farms on the San Joaquin Valley's Westside, you'd think this problem was created solely by Democrats catering to their environmental friends. But the Republicans also played a major role in diverting farm water to environmental uses. In 1992, then-President George H.W. Bush signed the Miller-Bradley bill to reform the Central Valley Project. Bush did this even after coming to Fresno and promising farmers that he would veto the bill when it got to his desk. California agricultural interests vehemently opposed the bill inspired by their political nemesis, Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez. Farmers said it would devastate the state's agricultural industry. Bush signed the measure, which also included water projects for other Western states, just days before the 1992 presidential election. <more> Sept. 26, 2009 Merced Sun-Star

    

   

   

   

• Farming on list of 10 Stressful Jobs That Are Worth It - - MSN CareerBuilder.com has complied a list of jobs that have quite a bit of stress, and in their opinion, these jobs are worth the gray hairs and momentary bouts of anxiety.  Farmers came in at Number 3. Why it's stressful: Physical labor plus anxiety about Mother Nature equals stress. You start work early and stay late, all while being outside. That is if bad weather doesn't ruin your crops. Not to mention the variety of economic pressures for small farms that face competition from large businesses and manufacturers. Why it's worth it: Farmers are among the few workers that every person in the country relies on for survival. How's that for job satisfaction? How much you'll earn: Varies To see the rest of the list, click here. Sept. 28, 2009 MSN careerBuilder.com
   

• ‘I Love Farmers, They Feed My Soul’ out to change the view of agriculture and where your food comes from - - I Love Farmers, They Feed My Soul, is out to help the young generation understand the importance of knowing where our food comes from and who produced it. AgMediaConversation interviews the founders of the innovative website “I Love farmers, They Feed My Soul”. Mindy Burris, Annalisa Clarke, and Dr. J. Scott Vernon share their thoughts on why and how "I Love Farmers, They Feed My Soul" is taking shape and where they want it to go. Click here to listen to the interview. Sept. 28, 2009 Ag Media Conversation.
   

• Immigration reform sidelined, says Sen. Burris - - Comprehensive immigration reform may be potentially delayed until 2010, due to pressing issues already on the agenda of the Obama administration, according to Illinois Sen. Roland Burris. Healthcare reform and the economy are taking higher precedence than immigration reform for the current administration, which will potentially delay tackling immigration reform until 2010. During President Obama's presidential campaign he promised voters that he would make comprehensive immigration reform a top priority. However, Sen. Burris (D-Illinois) , who serves on the Homeland Security committee says, "Unfortunately, the agenda is so packed, we have so many issues on our plate that we will probably postpone the immigration reform until late this year or early next year." <more> Sept. 28, 2009 Dairy Herd Management

   

Friday, Sept. 25, 2009

• Agreement reached on poultry imports from China - - - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk today commended conferees on the agriculture appropriations bill - led by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), chair of the Agriculture Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, on text slated for the FY 2010 agriculture appropriations conference report regarding the use of appropriated funds by USDA with respect to potential imports of poultry products from China. The conference agreement would allow USDA to use appropriated funds in FY 2010 to promulgate or implement a rule allowing imports of processed poultry or poultry products from China only after the Secretary of Agriculture notifies Congress that certain conditions have been met. For a full description, visit the House Appropriations website at http://appropriations.house.gov/Subcommittees/sub_ardf.shtml. USDA worked with Rep. DeLauro to craft the final language, which ensures the protection of the nation's food supply in a manner consistent with scientific principles as required under U.S. international obligations. <more> Sept. 25, 2009 USDA Press Release
   

• NTF applauds Chinese Chicken Compromise - - The National Turkey Federation’s President Joel Brandenberger issued the following statement:  The National Turkey Federation (NTF) and its membership would like to applaud Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D.-Conn., and Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., for agreeing on a compromise that could permit cooked poultry products from China to be sold in the United States. The agreement would ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) can proceed in conducting risk assessments of cooked poultry products from China and inspecting Chinese plants to determine their eligibility for export to the United States.  The House and Senate conferees today agreed to include this provision in the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. This is important to all of meat and poultry producers in the United States because China is an important export market for so many agricultural commodities.  It is the second-largest foreign purchaser of U.S. turkey products.  China has expressed its strong opposition to a provision authored by DeLauro in last year’s appropriations bill preventing USDA from proceeding with a risk assessment and plant inspection.  The agreement essentially allows FSIS to begin conducting risk assessments, inspecting Chinese plants, and making science-based determinations about the equivalency of Chinese food safety systems. However, several key provisions must be met for product to be allowed to enter the country.  The agreement will require significant reporting to Congress but gives the Secretary of Agriculture the discretion to administer the program in accordance with established procedures for all other countries.  Strong and effective regulation ensures the integrity of our food system, and USDA should be allowed to continue its history of ensuring the safety of imported meat and poultry through a stringent science-based process, including determining that an exporting country’s inspection system is equivalent to U.S. standards. Sept. 25, 2009 NTF Press Release
   

• Doctors' suit: KFC grilled chicken a danger - - After losing its first battle against fast-food restaurants, a doctors group went back to court Wednesday and accused the KFC chain of selling grilled chicken with dangerous levels of a cancer-causing chemical. In a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine accused KFC of violating California's Proposition 65, which requires businesses to warn customers if they are being exposed to substances that cause cancer or birth defects. The chemical cited in the lawsuit, known as PhIP, is a byproduct of the grilling process and was added to the state's list of carcinogens in 1994. The doctors group said an independent laboratory found the substance in every one of 12 grilled chicken samples bought from six East Bay KFC restaurants in May. <more> Sept. 25, 2009 SF Chronicle   
   

• Oral arguments schedules for Poultry Humane Slaughter appeal - - Oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco are scheduled for October 7 in the Humane Slaughter Act Case, Levine v. Schafer (formerly Levine v. Johanns). The case, brought by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) against USDA, resulted in a district court ruling that chickens are not “livestock” and are not covered by the federal law covering slaughter of cattle and other large animals. After granting USDA’s motion for summary judgment, the judge dismissed the case. HSUS appealed the district court’s February 28, 2008, decision to grant summary judgment to USDA, and the Court of Appeals agreed to hear the case. HSUS had argued that the term “livestock” in the act should include poultry because a dictionary in use when the Humane Slaughter Act was written stated that the term encompassed “useful” animals on a farm. The judge noted in her ruling that the author of the Humane Slaughter Act said during debate: “Chickens are not livestock under the terms of this bill.” She added, “Congress distinguished between livestock and poultry amongst the many bills it considered, but ultimately decided on a bill that included livestock only.” Sept. 25, 2009 NCC Newsletter

  
   

• Poultry and meat groups criticize proposed Renewable Fuel Standard changes - - In comments submitted today to the EPA, poultry and meat trade groups sharply criticized EPA’s proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), citing inadequate analysis of the proposed rule’s impact on agricultural commodity prices. National Turkey Federation, National Chicken Council, American Meat Institute and FarmEcon LLC  noted in the comments that EPA’s proposed regulations have not considered the risks associated with variability of grain crop or other biomass production.  This would have serious consequences on food and fuel production costs in years of reduced crop production.  Increased reliance on biofuels would likely increase the instability of U.S. fuel supplies even if the reliance on imported oil is decreased. <more> Sept. 25, 2009 NTF, NCC, AMI Press Release

   

• Vet licensure bill signed by Governor - - A bill to increase the number of practicing veterinarians in California has been signed by Gov. Swarzenegger. AB107, by Assembly members Cathleen Galgiani (D-Livingston) and Connie Conway (R-Tulare) is intended to address a chronic shortage of food-animal veterinarians. A Senate Appropriations Committee analysis predicts the bill will increase the number of veterinary licenses issued annually in California by 100. The bill received support in the Assembly and Senate. It requires the California Veterinary Medical Board to offer the state's licensing exam twice each year instead of once, and loosens rules for transferring a license from out of state, and for issuing a temporary license. Sept. 25, 2009
   

• Harkin drops indirect land use amendment - - Iowa Senator Tom Harkin has apparently backed off on his attempt to stop the EPA from using international indirect land use change theories in calculating the greenhouse gas emissions of biofuels.  That according to a DTN report. Harkin and six other senators (including Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Ben Nelson of Nebraska) had proposed an amendment to the Interior appropriations bill that would have stopped EPA from using any of its money during fiscal year 2010 to implement the indirect land use change analysis.  But a Harkin spokesman tells DTN that the senator has decided not to press forward with the amendment after receiving a letter of assurance from EPA administrator Lisa Jackson.  In the letter, Jackson told Harkin that she recognizes the uncertainty surrounding the indirect land use calculations and promises to quantify them. <more> Sept. 25, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• Poochigian confirmed to state appeals court -- A judicial commission on Thursday confirmed Chuck Poochigian as a state appeals court justice in Fresno, despite an unfavorable ranking by a state bar panel. The 3-0 vote by the  Commission on Judicial Appointments came after state Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George criticized the state bar ranking, which had found Poochigian "not qualified" because of a lack of legal experience. George, who leads the commission, said the bar panel erred by not soliciting comments in questionnaires on Poochigian's 12-year tenure as a state lawmaker, which supporters said gave him ample legal experience. <more> Sept. 25, 2009 Fresno Bee    
   

• Tyson, Other Poultry Firms Fouled River, Lawyer Says -- Tyson Foods Inc. and almost a dozen other poultry companies are responsible for fouling an Oklahoma river with chicken waste and should pick up the tab for cleanup costs, the state’s top lawyer argued. Tyson, the world’s largest meat producer, along with turkey maker Cargill Inc. and nine other companies let growers mishandle tons of waste produced by the birds, Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson told a judge today in opening statements of the state’s lawsuit against the companies. The waste is causing algae and bacteria problems in the Illinois River watershed, which straddles the states of Oklahoma and Arkansas. <more> Sept. 25, 2009 Bloomberg    
   

• Pollan lecture draws large crowd at UW-Madison - - A crowd of almost 8,000 packed the University of Wisconsin’s Kohl Center on Thursday evening to listen to author Michael Pollan speak about his book, “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto,” which was chosen for the university’s common book reading program, Go Big Read. While much of the crowd consisted of students, staff and interested community members, a group of about 200 Wisconsin farmers and agriculture supporters showed up to the lecture wearing green t-shirts printed with the slogan, “In Defense of Farming: Eat Food. Be Healthy. Thank Farmers.” <more> Sept. 25, 2009 Dairy Herd Management    
   

• Look homeward on food production - - by Steve Kopperud   - - I’ve been wrestling with whether I should rail against President Obama’s seeming desire to make good on every campaign promise he ever made in the first 12 months of his presidency or whether I should take issue with those who believe the world is coming to an end unless we can all go to market and trade our carbon credits like apples for oranges. Then I received this email from a New England agribusiness executive, pondering the pending acquisition of Pilgrim’s Pride Poultry by JBS out of Brazil: “I realize we are in a global economy, and food and feed no longer play in just a domestic market, but I really am concerned that our lawmakers have no clue as what is taking place with food production in this country.” <more> Sept. 25, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• Food Production Will Have To Increase By 70 Percent by 2050 - - Producing 70 percent more food for an additional 2.3 billion people by 2050 while at the same time combating poverty and hunger, using scarce natural resources more efficiently and adapting to climate change are the main challenges world agriculture will face in the coming decades, according to an FAO discussion paper published today. The UN agency will organize a High-Level Expert Forum in Rome on 12-13 October 2009 to discuss strategies on "How to Feed the World in 2050". The Forum will bring together around 300 leading experts from academic, nongovernmental and private sector institutions from developing and developed countries. <more> Sept. 25, 2009 CattleNetwork.com
   

• State senators' travel plans delay special session - - A flock of state legislators is winging it to Denmark and Spain during the next 19 days to see how Europeans govern, further delaying long-promised action back home on California's water-supply problems and help for cash-strapped schools. Seven state senators are heading overseas this week, some having left Thursday, on a trip that includes stops in Copenhagen, Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona. They plan to study Spain's national water system and Scandinavian environmental programs, and to promote trade between California and Catalonia, according to a statement from the Senate Office of International Relations, which is organizing the trip. Six other legislators are hoping to visit China and Korea to discuss business issues, but they are likely to wait until after the special session wraps up, aides said. With nearly a fifth of the upper house heading out of the country, Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) has put off a special session on water and schools until Oct. 13. <more> Sept. 25, 2009 LA Times
   

Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009

• CPF Conference photos now on-line- - Photos of the CPF’s annual conference held last week at the Resort at Squaw Creek have been posted to the CPF website and can be viewed by clicking here.
   

• In Dairyland, Pollan's 'Food' book sparks debate -- One best-selling book advocating fresh, local foods is shaking up America's Dairyland. Students across University of Wisconsin-Madison's campus, organic grocers, scientists, and dairy farmers large and small have jumped into the debate on how food is produced and eaten. The discussions started last month when the university began giving Michael Pollan's book, "In Defense of Food," free to all incoming freshmen and school officials urged professors to use it in class. "I have not seen the students this excited about something in years," Irwin Goodman, a horticulture professor who is vice dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences said of the buzz on campus about Pollan's field-to-table philosophies. But not everyone is so excited. Bill Bruins, who has a dairy farm near Waupun and is president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, called the book "a direct attack on the way we farm today." His group is working with the university to have farmers go into classrooms to present their points of view. <more> Sept. 24, 2009 AP
   

• Michael Pollan to speak at Cal Poly Sustainability Fair Oct. 15 -- Cal Poly is hosting a free "Sustainability Showcase" and fair on the Performing Arts Center plaza Thursday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon. The event includes a free public lecture by best-selling author Michael Pollan at 11 a.m. in the Cohan Center's Harman Hall. An author, journalist, teacher and sustainable foods advocate, Pollan has written for the past 20 years about the places where the human and natural worlds intersect: food, agriculture, gardens and architecture. <more> Sept. 24, 2009 Cal Poly Press Release

• Longtime Ag Leader Joseph J. Jen Retired from Cal Poly - -  Joseph J. Jen, senior assistant to the President for Special Agricultural and Federal Initiatives since April 2006, retired from Cal Poly effective Sept. 1. Jen returned to Cal Poly in 2006 after a five-year assignment as undersecretary of research, education and economics at the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Prior to his USDA appointment, he had served as Cal Poly's dean of agriculture from 1992 to 2001. Since 2006 he has spearheaded a number of special initiatives on behalf of Cal Poly and the CSU.  <more> Sept. 24, 2009 Cal Poly Press Release
   

• Will investors show an appetite for local food? - - The Let's Be Frank food trailer parked most days outside the old Helms Bakery complex in Culver City is no ordinary lunch wagon. The San Francisco company that operates the hot-dog vendor serves franks and sausages made from cows that ate only grass or pigs that were raised humanely. Customers also can choose turkey or soy dogs, all on buns from L.A. Breadworks. The small business was funded in part by venture capitalist Peter Rogers and his Dry Creek Ventures, which targets clean energy, water and food businesses. Such small local food outfits, especially those that are gentle on the environment, are key to the long-term health of the economy but need formal access to local investors to succeed, says social venture-capitalist and entrepreneur Woody Tasch. <more> Sept. 24, 2009 LA Times

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009

• EPA’s indirect land use rules challenged - - Three Midwest senators have introduced legislation that would prevent EPA from penalizing U.S. corn and soybean growers for land use changes or potential land clearing for increased biofuel production in other countries. Sens. Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley of Iowa and Ben Nelson of Nebraska said EPA?s proposed rulemaking for implementing the so-called Renewable Fuel Standard 2 or RFS2 would limit the U.S. production and use of biofuels required in the energy bill passed by Congress in 2007. Their legislation, a proposed amendment to the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations bill would prohibit the EPA, for one year, from spending funds to include international indirect land use change emissions in the implementation of the RFS. <more> Sept. 22, 2009 Western Farm Press
   

• L.A. council limits roosters to one per household - - Hoping to quell the amount of crowing across the city, the Los Angeles City Council passed a law Tuesday limiting the number of roosters that each household can own. On a 12-0 vote, the council agreed to allow only one rooster per property unless such birds are part of a "permitted and licensed commercial, agricultural or industrial business" -- and on a street with the proper zoning. <more> Sept. 23, 2009 LA Times
   

• Pacific Ethanol may be delisted by Nasdaq - - Sacramento ethanol producer Pacific Ethanol Inc. is not in compliance with the minimum standard to be listed on the Nasdaq stock market. The company said it received a notification letter from Nasdaq on Sept. 15. Pacific Ethanol has 180 days – until March 14 – to meet the minimum bid price of $1 per share for 10 consecutive days, or face possible delisting.  The company, which put most of its operations into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May, has struggled with declining market prices. Company shares closed Tuesday at 53 cents, down 4 cents for the day. Sept. 22, 2009 Sacramento Bee

• CPF Conference photos now on-line- - Photos of the CPF’s annual conference held last week at the Resort at Squaw Creek have been posted to the CPF website and can be viewed by clicking here.
   

• Panel rates Poochigian 'not qualified' for state court -- A state bar committee has rated Fresno's Chuck Poochigian as "not qualified" for an appointment to the state appellate court because "he lacks legal practice experience," according to a letter made public Tuesday. The letter by the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation confirms rumors that have swirled in the legal community since August, when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger nominated the former state lawmaker for a seat on the 5th District Court of Appeal in Fresno. The unfavorable rating is only advisory and is one of several factors to be considered by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, a three-member panel that will vote on Poochigian's nomination Thursday in San Francisco. <more> Sept. 23, 2009 Fresno Bee    
   

• States Can Sue Utilities Over Emissions - - A two-judge panel of a federal appeals court has ruled that big power companies can be sued by states and land trusts for emitting carbon dioxide. The decision, issued Monday, overturns a 2005 District Court decision that the question was political, not judicial. A panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in New York, ruled that eight states — California, Connecticut, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin — as well as New York City and three land trusts could proceed with a suit against American Electric Power, Southern Corporation, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Xcel Energy and Cinergy Corporation, all large coal-burning utilities. <more> Sept. 23, 2009 NY Times   
   

• Supreme Court to weigh depictions of animal cruelty - - The video images were disturbing -- a tiny white kitten singed with the flame from a lighter; a gray cat struggling beneath a woman's spiked heel; pit bulls tearing into a trapped animal. The Supreme Court has often said that freedom of speech includes ugly and foul language. But this fall the justices will be looking at video clips like these to decide whether selling films of dogfights or animal torture is protected from prosecution under the 1st Amendment. The dispute, expected to be heard in early October, has driven a wedge between traditional free-speech advocates and defenders of the humane treatment of animals. <more> Sept. 23, 2009 LA Times  

Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009

• EPA Finalizes the Nation’s First Greenhouse Gas Reporting System - - On January 1, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will, for the first time, require large emitters of heat-trapping emissions to begin collecting greenhouse gas (GHG) data under a new reporting system. This new program will cover approximately 85 percent of the nation’s GHG emissions and apply to roughly 10,000 facilities.  “This is a major step forward in our effort to address the greenhouse gases polluting our skies,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “For the first time, we begin collecting data from the largest facilities in this country, ones that account for approximately 85 percent of the total U.S. emissions. The American public, and industry itself, will finally gain critically important knowledge and with this information we can determine how best to reduce those emissions.” <more> Sept. 22, 2009 EPA Press Release
   

• Coalition Asks EPA to Regulate Greenhouse Gases and Other Toxic Air Pollutants from Factory Farms - - The Humane Society of the United States and a coalition of environmental and public health organizations filed a legal petition with the Environmental Protection Agency seeking to regulate air pollution from factory farms. The petitioners joining The HSUS include Association of Irritated Residents; Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment; Clean Air Task Force; Dairy Education Alliance; El Comité para el Bienestar de Earlimart; Environmental Integrity Project; Friends of the Earth; and Waterkeeper Alliance. "Unregulated air pollution from massive factory farms has a devastating impact on human health and the environment," says Jonathan Lovvorn, vice president and chief counsel for Animal Protection Litigation and Research at The HSUS. "The EPA should hold these big agribusiness corporations accountable for the enormous harm they are inflicting on local communities, independent family farmers and the environment." <more> Sept. 22, 2009 HSUS Press Release   
   

• CPF Conference photos now on-line- - Photos of the CPF’s annual conference held last week at the Resort at Squaw Creek have been posted to the CPF website and can be viewed by clicking here.   

• Cost of climate change bill ‘impossible to predict’ - - A new report from the Congressional Research Service concludes it’s nearly impossible to predict the true cost of the House-passed climate change bill. The authors of the report analyzed seven studies on the projected cost of the legislation.  They found that the key driver in determining the cost to the economy will be the development of new energy technologies, such as carbon capture and advance wind and solar generation.  But they say it’s difficult to project costs up to the year 2030, much less beyond. <more> Sept. 22, 2009 Brownfield Ag News  
   

• Huge solar farms proposed in Valley - - A pair of solar farms proposed for the Panoche Hills of western Fresno County and eastern San Benito County could become the biggest installations of their kind in the world. Solargen Energy Inc., based in Cupertino, has submitted an application to Fresno County planners for its Panoche Ranch Solar Farm on 2,600 acres of rangeland near the Little Panoche Reservoir. Solar photovoltaic panels spread across the acreage would produce up to 250 megawatts of electricity. <more> Sept. 22, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• Farmers unite in response to Pollan appearance at University of Wisconsin this week - - Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto, is scheduled to speak Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., as part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s new common book program known as Go Big Read. Local farmers are reacting to Pollan’s scheduled appearances by organizing a show of solidarity and have invited all farmers, students, agriculture professionals and “people who are thankful for our safe abundant food supply” to attend the event and wear the color green. <more> Sept. 22, 2009 FeedStuffs.com
   

• Blogging on the range: Farmers link to consumers via social media - -Whether he's strolling through the corral, doing payroll at his desk or checking on a newborn calf, Stanislaus County dairy farmer Ray Prock likes to stop by what he calls his "virtual watercooler" to chat about his favorite topic: agriculture. He does this by logging on to his Twitter account, a social networking Web site that allows users to exchange quick, frequent messages known as tweets. By firing up his computer or turning on his smartphone, Prock can get a glimpse of what people in the global community are saying—and talk back to them. <more> Sept. 22, 2009 Ag Alert

Monday, Sept. 21, 2009

• CPF honors outstanding members at annual conference - - The California Poultry Federation (CPF) saluted its outstanding members at its annual conference Thursday as California meat bird producers, processors and allied members gathered at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The annual banquet drew an audience of more than 100 people as awards were presented.
  
  The CPF’s top award, the Golden Rooster, was presented to Marty Jakosa of Foster Farms, who has been an active CPF member since 1992, serving as chairman in 1998,  and who is celebrating his 30^th year in the poultry industry. Current CPF chairman Bob Shipley noted some of Jakosa’s accomplishments as a CPF director: Marketing programs for broilers and turkeys; nutrient management committee; research programs on cellulitis and pest management; Charity Golf Tournament for poultry scholarships; weekly news update for members, associates and friends of the poultry industry; membership committee; poultry curriculum committee; chairman of summer golf tournament and PAC auction.Jakosa started in the food industry in 1975 at Safeway Stores. In1979 he was hired by Louis Rich Company in Modesto where his distinguished poultry career began. He also served as plant and/or complex manager for Oscar Mayer, Butterball Turkey Company and Longmont Foods and lived in Iowa, Texas, Colorado and Turlock. He has worked the past 10 years in human resources at Foster Poultry Farms. Marty is a Certified Professional Life Coach and focuses on personal coaching, career coaching, executive coaching and team building. Marty and his wife, Leslee, live in Turlock.  They have been married for 25years and have three children, Renee, 23, Brianna, 22 and Anthony 20.

  GOLDEN ROOSTER AWARD is presented to Marty Jakosa, right, by CPF Chairman Bob Shipley

The Allied Member of the Year award was presented to Dan Volk of Volk Enterprises. He was first elected to the CPF board in 2000, and since then has provided “outstanding contributions, both personal and professional,” said CPf president Bill Mattos. “He has always stepped up to provide both financial and intellectual resources when asked and has been a big supporter of the CPF and its members. His company is also one of the most admired and respected in the industry.” After high school, he joined the family company, Volk Development, and ran the molding department where he learned the basics of injection molding and resin application. He worked for the Grange Company and ConAgra Foods before he returned to Volk in 1986 and became head of the manufacturing unit. He designed tools, supervised molding and assembly, controlled inventory, sourced materials, implemented assembly processes and began automation. While officially acting as V.P. of Corporate Development for Volk, Dan has developed over a dozen working patents including the following: Plastic Handiclamp;  Rotisserie Clamp; Flavor-it ID Tag;  Plastic Meat Skewers; Hock Cuff;   ID Link and Ring. 

ALLIED MEMBER AWARD is accepted by Dan Volk, right, from CPF Chairman Bob Shipley

The Pioneer Award was presented to Norman Nilsen Jr. of  Nilsen Farms in Wilton, Sacramento County. The  550,000 square-foot turkey growout operation is under contract with Foster Farms. Today, Nilsen Farms consists of three ranches in the greater Sacramento area and produces about 500,000 turkeys per year.  Earlier this year, his family farm was awarded a national environmental stewardship award from the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. He and his family today operate one of the nation’s most environmentally friendly and sustainable poultry operations in the nation. He has grown, under contract, for Foster Farms since the early 1980s, but his history with poultry began in the 1960s. He and his brother, David, grew up on an egg ranch in Southern California which was established by his mother and father after World War II. Norm’s parents started one

PIONEER AWARD is accepted by Norm Nilsen and family

of the first egg companies in California with an on-ranch egg processing facility and they were also the inventors of the Swish Drinker System in the early 1960’s. By the 1970’s, the drinker system was revolutionizing the poultry industry. Norm had grown the drinker manufacturing business to three offices nationwide, Phelan and Turlock, CA and the other near Atlanta, GA. In 1973, Nilsen’s started an egg ranch, and the next year a broiler operation which contracted with Zacky Farms. Meanwhile the Swish drinker system grew popular internationally, and he sold the growing business to Chore-Time in 1980. The egg and broiler farms were sold around that same time as well. With the help of Norm’s partner Dave Rossi, they kept open the distribution store in Turlock - Alpha Poultry and Livestock.
Norm has consistently used cutting-edge technology to increase the productivity on his ranches. Six years ago, Nilsen Farms upgraded all the houses on two of the ranches with computerized tunnel systems. Nilsen Farms remains the only Foster Farms contract turkey grower with the tunnel system. Additionally, Nilsen Farms installed a quarter-megawatt solar power system to power one ranch about four years ago. Today, all three ranches boast solar power systems. Last year, they entered into a lease agreement with a private solar company and Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Nilsen’s lease the land bordering one of their turkey ranches which in turn generates one megawatt of electricity to provide green energy to SMUD customers opting into their Green Energy Program.
Norm and his wife, Carol, have three children, Tim, Chelsea and Natalie and one grandchild, Ambria. In 2002, Norm’s son, Tim, joined the family business.

• Willie Brown says term limits part of problem facing California legislature - - The implementation of term limits by California voters in 1994 have had unintended consequences which have directly led to California's current political stalemate in Sacramento, says the man who was the target of that term limit proposal. Former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, showing the rhetorical flourishes that have made him one of the most colorful political figures in a state known for large political personalities, told those attending the California Poultry Federation's annual conference today at the Resort at Squaw Creek that a lack of leadership and expertise can be tied directly to the passage of term limits. "The state of California is clearly reflecting in its (legislative) processes the absence of great leaders and people who have expertise. The Capitol is plagued by that and it is the result of term limits," he said. Today's legislators may have the "same intellectual capacity as those who served back then but the differences is that back then you had to serve time before you got leadership positions.
  
  FORMER ASSEMBLY SPEAKER Willie Brown addresses  the CPF annual convention. (Photo by Mark Looker.)
  
  Not the case anymore—the minute you get elected you start thinking you want to be chair of ag committee. You've got no idea about the people who raise chickens. You've got no idea about the people who milk cows." Brown said in 2009 "you have few people who can put anything together. They don’t trust each other—can’t be relied upon once their word is given to stand behind their word if it becomes politically difficult." Brown looked as several possible reforms and offered these comments. "Nothing frightens me more  than the idea of a state constitutional convention," he said. "The left and the right will be the last people standing at every constitutional meeting and will impose their will." The state cannot be "governed from left and right. It has to be governed as consensus  – just as I was selected speaker." Brown noted that he gained the support of 28 Republicans when he was elected Speaker to overcome what he jokingly referred to as the "tyranny of the Democrats" who were blocking his election. Brown said a better course to reforming governmental gridlock is an existing Constitution revision commission which he said can be appointed by the Governor for the purpose of looking at possible Constitutional revisions. "It ought to be tasked with putting together whatever we need to vote on. I hope they will kick it off with the business of term limits," said Brown.  Brown also advocated the idea of an open primary which would allow the two top vote getters, regardless of party, to advance to the general election. Brown candidly admitted that he opposed the open primary proposal while Speaker but "after my speakership I converted back to an open primary position."  To listen to an audio recording of Brown's remarks, please click here.  (MP3 file, 37 minutes) Sept. 17 2009
   

• National Chicken Cooking Contest Suspended After 60 Years - - The economic slowdown claimed another victim today as the National Chicken Council announced that the National Chicken Cooking Contest will be suspended indefinitely after 48 competitions over 60 years. “The National Chicken Cooking Contest has been one of the country’s premiere competitive cooking events, but the economic realities facing our industry required us to take a hard look at all our programs, and unfortunately the Contest has been suspended,” said NCC President George Watts.  NCC continues to promote chicken, encourage greater consumption, and educate consumers about the advantages of chicken through other programs, Watts said.  The Food Media Seminar that has been co-sponsored by NCC and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is unaffected by the announcement and will continue to be held, he said. <more> Sept. 18, 2009 NCC Press Release
   

• Chicken Wings Fly To Unheard-of Highs As Buffalo Wing Craze Rolls On - - America’s taste for chicken wings has driven the wholesale price of the tasty tidbits to unprecedented highs, with wings actually selling for more than boneless, skinless breast, traditionally the highest-priced part of the bird, the National Chicken Council reported today. “Wings are hot, hot, hot,” said Bill Roenigk, senior vice president and chief economist of the trade association representing chicken production and processing companies. “The demand for wings from casual dining restaurants, carryout stores, and retail groceries is extremely strong. Even export demand is adding to the market strength.” Some wingtips are exported, although very few whole wings are sent out of the country. <more> Sept. 21, 2009 NCC Press Release 

   

• Poultry Litter Industry Trial Set To Begin Thursday In Tulsa Court - - The Oklahoma attorney general’s case against Arkansas-based poultry companies comes down to who’s responsible for the safe disposal of chicken litter, both sides agree. A closely related question: How much litter can safely be used as fertilizer in the Illinois River watershed?  The river’s watershed straddles both states and flows through Oklahoma. Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson claims bacteria and phosphorus content in the river has grown in recent years as the poultry industry has grown, mainly in Arkansas. <more> Sept. 21, 2009 The Morning News  
   

• Ohio starts to deal with its animal welfare campaign - - A statewide ballot initiative is aimed at keeping local control over farming practices. Few outside the agricultural industry may be aware that Issue 2, if passed Nov. 3, will amend the state constitution to create an Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, which will regulate the treatment of farm animals, like cows, pigs and chickens. Those campaigning in favor of the issue include the Butler County Farm Bureau, which will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at the Ohio State University Princeton Road Campus, 1802 Princeton Road. Issue 2 will create a local board to ensure that food grown locally is safe and reasonably priced, said Farmersville-based Christy Montoya, the farm bureau’s organizational director for Butler, Warren, Hamilton and Montgomery counties. However, Issue 2 is opposed by the Humane Society of the United States, which is concerned about creating more humane conditions for farm animals. <more> Sept. 21, 2009 Oxford Press
   

• Christine Bedell: Shhhh, I was trying to hear Costa - - I'm no water expert, so I can't really opine on the quality of the discussion about California's water problems featured on Sean Hannity's "The Valley Hope Forgot" program Thursday night. What did strike me was just how badly people were treated, especially Congressman Jim Costa, who, frankly, is in a good position to help the situation -- he's been a water crusader for decades and is in the majority party. Costa, a Fresno Democrat, was booed during his introduction and later as he answered questions. Candi Easter, head of the Kern County Democratic Party, said he was made to look like a fool. She was peeved he even went on the show.  <more> Sept. 20, 2009 Bakersfield Californian   

Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009

• Willie Brown says term limits part of problem facing California legislature - - The implementation of term limits by California voters in 1994 have had unintended consequences which have directly led to California's current political stalemate in Sacramento, says the man who was the target of that term limit proposal. Former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, showing the rhetorical flourishes that have made him one of the most colorful political figures in a state known for large political personalities, told those attending the California Poultry Federation's annual conference today at the Resort at Squaw Creek that a lack of leadership and expertise can be tied directly to the passage of term limits. "The state of California is clearly reflecting in its (legislative) processes the absence of great leaders and people who have expertise. The Capitol is plagued by that and it is the result of term limits," he said. Today's legislators may have the "same intellectual capacity as those who served back then but the differences is that back then you had to serve time before you got leadership positions.
  
  FORMER ASSEMBLY SPEAKER Willie Brown chats with CPF board member Marty Jakosa prior to his address  to the CPF annual convention. (Photo by Mark Looker.)
  
  Not the case anymore—the minute you get elected you start thinking you want to be chair of ag committee. You've got no idea about the people who raise chickens. You've got no idea about the people who milk cows." Brown said in 2009 "you have few people who can put anything together. They don’t trust each other—can’t be relied upon once their word is given to stand behind their word if it becomes politically difficult." Brown looked as several possible reforms and offered these comments. "Nothing frightens me more  than the idea of a state constitutional convention," he said. "The left and the right will be the last people standing at every constitutional meeting and will impose their will." The state cannot be "governed from left and right. It has to be governed as consensus  – just as I was selected speaker." Brown noted that he gained the support of 28 Republicans when he was elected Speaker to overcome what he jokingly referred to as the "tyranny of the Democrats" who were blocking his election. Brown said a better course to reforming governmental gridlock is an existing Constitution revision commission which he said can be appointed by the Governor for the purpose of looking at possible Constitutional revisions. "It ought to be tasked with putting together whatever we need to vote on. I hope they will kick it off with the business of term limits," said Brown.  Brown also advocated the idea of an open primary which would allow the two top vote getters, regardless of party, to advance to the general election. Brown candidly admitted that he opposed the open primary proposal while Speaker but "after my speakership I converted back to an open primary position."  To listen to an audio recording of Brown's remarks, please click here.  (MP3 file, 37 minutes) Sept. 17, 2009  
   

• Unifying animal agriculture - - Due in part to the passage of Proposition 2 in California, Dr. Wes Jamison, Associate Professor of Communication at Palm Beach Atlantic University tells Brownfield animal agriculture is making headway in its battle with Animal Rights advocates. Jamison says the ‘shot across the bow’ has brought animal agriculture together. “Animal agriculture is beginning to unify around the idea these people want to stop what we do, we’ve got to come up with an answer and we’ve got to oppose them,” said Jamison. But in addition to becoming unified, Jamison says agriculture will need to stop focusing on protecting commodities and begin thinking in terms of protecting the act of eating meat. <more> Sept. 17, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• J.S. West, HSUS disagree whether planned henhouse is Prop. 2 compliant- - J.S. West and Cos., an egg producer based in Modesto, announced Tuesday that it will build a henhouse aimed at complying with Proposition 2. This will be the first commercial project that meets the standards for hen enclosures approved by state voters last year, company President Eric Benson said. The Humane Society of the United States, a leading backer of the proposition, disagreed. It said the new housing, increasing the floor space per hen to 116 square inches, would leave the birds too cramped. Benson said he was not surprised by the reaction and plans to move forward with the $3.2 million project. It will house about 150,000 hens, 8 percent of the company's flock, at one of its operations near Livingston. "No matter what the Humane Society thinks, we believe at J.S. West that this housing is Proposition 2-compliant," Benson said.<more> Sept. 16, 2009 Modesto Bee
   

• Pilgrim's Pride to File Plan of Reorganization and Disclosure Statement with U.S. Bankruptcy Court -- Pilgrim's Pride Corporation and six of its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Debtors") that are debtors and debtors in possession in the Chapter 11 cases pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas today announced that they will be filing a joint plan of reorganization and disclosure statement under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Pilgrim's Pride and JBS have agreed to a transaction representing an enterprise value of approximately $2.8 billion. Under the terms of the plan of reorganization, Pilgrim's Pride has entered into an agreement to sell 64% of the new common stock of the reorganized Pilgrim's Pride to JBS S.A., through its JBS USA Holdings, Inc. subsidiary (JBS U.S.A.), for $800 million in cash. <more> Sept. 16, 2009 Pilgrim’s Pride Press Release
   

• CPF's annual meetingunderway --  CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opened up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: Alpharma; ASC/Agrecom; Elanco Animal Health; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Billington Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Fort Dodge Animal Health; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Pactiv Corporation; PennField Animal Health; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys, Inc.; Archer Daniels Midland; Bayer Animal Health; Big Dutchman USA; BJK Flexible Packaging; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Diamond V Mills; Diestel Turkey Ranch; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard, LLC; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Jones-Hamilton Co. PLT/PWT/SAS; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; Petaluma Poultry Processors; Rabobank; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; U.S. Cold Storage of California; Volk Enterprises; Walco International, Inc.; Willie Bird Turkeys; Woodland Farms; Zinpro Corporation
   

• Chewy Chicken Feet May Quash a Trade War - - China is threatening to cut off imports of American chicken, but poultry experts have at least one reason to suspect it may be an empty threat: Many Chinese consumers would miss the scrumptious chicken feet they get from this country. “We have these jumbo, juicy paws the Chinese really love,” said Paul W. Aho, a poultry economist and consultant, “so I don’t think they are going to cut us off.” Chicken exports were thrust to the forefront of American-Chinese trade tensions on Sunday when China took steps to retaliate for President Obama’s decision to levy tariffs on Chinese tires. The Chinese announced that they were considering import taxes on automotive products and chicken meat, a development that some trade experts feared could escalate. <more> Sept. 17, 2009 AP
   

• Rule published to allow interstate sale of state-inspected meat - - USDA has published a proposed rule in the Federal Register which would allow the sale of state-inspected meat across state lines. There are 27 states that currently have state meat or poultry inspection programs that are at least equal to those imposed under federal inspection, a provision in the 2008 Farm Bill would allow those state-inspected plants with 25 or fewer employees to ship product across state lines for the very first time. USDA will accept comments on the rule under which state inspectors will be federally trained, with a federal inspection employee verifying that small state-inspected plants meet federal food safety requirements. Meat produced by these local plants will carry the USDA mark of inspection. <more> Sept. 17, 2009 Brownfield Ag News    
   

• USDA Launches 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' Initiative to Connect Consumers with Local Producers - - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan have announced a new initiative - 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' - to begin a national conversation to help develop local and regional food systems and spur economic opportunity. To launch the initiative, Secretary Vilsack recorded a video to invite Americans to join the discussion and share their ideas for ways to support local agriculture. The video, one of many means by which USDA will engage in this conversation, can be viewed at USDA's YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/usda .  Producers and consumers can comment on the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' YouTube playlist, as well as submit videos or provide comments on this initiative by e-mailing KnowYourFarmer@usda.gov. <more> Sept. 17, 2009 USDA Press Release

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009

• J.S. West to build henhouse compliant with Proposition 2 - - J.S. West and Cos., an egg producer based in Modesto, announced today that it will build a henhouse aimed at complying with Proposition 2. This will be the first commercial project that meets the hen space requirements of the measure, approved by state voters last year, company president Eric Benson said. The $3.2 million project will house more than 150,000 hens at an existing J.S. West site near Livingston. This is about 8 percent of the company's total flock, which is one of the largest in California. "We believe this is one of the solutions the industry has to look to in satisfying Proposition 2," Benson said. <more> Sept. 15, 2009 Modesto Bee
   

• Association of California Egg Farmers discusses J.S. West decision on housing --   Debbie Murdock, Association of California Egg Farmers’ (ACEF) executive director, issued the following statement today regarding J.S. West and Companies’ decision to construct new housing for egg-laying hens that is based on internationally-recognized and researched European Union standards J.S. West is a 100 year old family farming business based in Modesto California. The new “enriched colony housing system” will comply with and enhance the animal welfare objectives of Proposition 2, providing perches, nesting boxes and more floor space to support basic hen behaviors.  “We are pleased to see a California farmer stepping forward to construct a new hen housing system that will meet the voters’ desire to provide egg-laying hens more space and comply with Proposition 2. As we grappled this year with trying to define how much space the vaguely-written Proposition 2 required, our industry proposed colony housing systems, based on European Union standards, as a solution that provided farmers the clarity they needed to continue to produce California-grown fresh and affordable eggs that meet consumer expectations for food safety and animal welfare. It is important that we recognize this long-time California company has made a multi-million dollar investment and assumed a major financial risk with this decision. While our industry offered a proposal, no clarifying standards for hen housing have been adopted yet via legislation or regulation. California egg farmers still require clear-cut standards and guidelines for complying with Proposition 2 and will continue to work diligently with Governor Schwarzenegger, the Legislature and the initiative’s sponsors to develop that clarity.” Sept. 15, 2009 ACEF Press Release
   

• China investigates US auto, chicken imports -- China is launching antidumping investigations into imported U.S. auto and chicken products, the government said Sunday, adding to a string of trade disputes with Washington including a recent decision to raise tariffs on Chinese-made tires. The Commerce Ministry said it would look into complaints that American auto and chicken products are being dumped into the Chinese market or are benefiting from subsidies. The ministry said there are concerns the U.S. imports have "dealt a blow to domestic industries." The ministry statement did not elaborate on the complaints or how the investigation would proceed. <more> Sept. 15, 2009 AP
   

• Poultry Group Blames U.S. for China Trade Dispute - - China’s move to investigate whether the U.S. sold poultry to the Asian nation for below-market prices was prompted partly by bad U.S. trade policies, the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council said.  China is responding to the Obama administration’s decision to impose tariffs on imports of Chinese tires and a decision by Congress that effectively bans imports of cooked poultry, James Sumner, president of the poultry council, said today in a telephone interview. The council, representing producers of 90 percent of U.S. chicken and egg exports, opposed both policies. “Our own government is creating these problems more so than the Chinese,” Sumner said. “We are upset with the way this has been handled by the administration.”  While the council understands China’s frustration, the dumping claims are baseless, Sumner said. U.S. chicken feet are exported to China for 60 cents to 80 cents a pound, multiple times the domestic price, which invalidates the allegation that poultry is being dumped in China, Sumner said. China consumes about 19 percent of U.S. chicken exports, including most of the chicken feet shipped from the U.S., according to industry data. <more> Sept. 15, 2009 Bloomberg
   

• U.S. Poultry Trade Group Refutes China's Charges - - The Chinese government claims U.S. poultry companies have flooded domestic markets with chicken imports filing a compliant with the World Trade Organization on Sunday. The U.S. chicken industry said the anti-dumping investigation launched by China is unjustified and is a direct retaliation for Washington's recent tariffs on tires made in China. "Our companies engage in normal trade with China, not dumping. We believe chicken is being targeted by the Chinese because of the concerns over the provision in the U.S. appropriations act that prohibits the USDA from determining China's ability to ship fully cooked poultry products to the United States," said Richard Lobb, spokesman for the National Chicken Council. <more> Sept. 15, 2009 Arkansas Morning News

• California tax panel set to recommend sweeping, controversial changes - - A state tax panel plans to recommend this week that California reduce the income tax, eliminate the state sales tax and install a new form of value-added tax on businesses, but it remains uncertain how many commissioners will support the plan and how far it will go in the Legislature. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic leaders had lofty hopes for the tax panel when they launched it in December. They formally called it the Commission on the 21st Century Economy, envisioning the panel would re-engineer the tax structure to generate money as the state has moved to a service-based economy. The proposal needs to be approved by the Legislature and, in some cases, by the voters to take effect. <more> Sept. 15, 2009 Sacramento Bee  
   

• Partisan apprehensions sink water reform package - - Eleventh-hour discord over a huge bond proposal sank an ambitious legislative water package that would have brought some resolution to one of California 's most contentious issues. As the clock ticked toward adjournment of the legislative session late Friday, Democratic leaders realized they didn't have the votes and shelved a wide-ranging set of measures aimed at improving the state's water supply and stopping the environmental hemorrhaging of the center of its waterworks. But they vowed to try again, saying they would ask Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to call a special session on water this fall. <more> Sept. 15, 2009 LA Times 
   

• Water bills come up short; special session to follow? - - The legislative water bucket came up empty last week, as last-minute wrangling over a hastily conceived package of bills failed to produce a comprehensive water solution at the state Capitol. But officials said they will keep trying. The Legislature was unable to take final votes on a proposed package of water bills, as lawmakers worked against a Friday deadline for passage. In the wake of the water package's failure, Democrats called for a special legislative session on water this fall. Matt David, communications director for Gov. Schwarzenegger, said at Ag Alert® press time that while the request to call a special legislative session on the state's water crisis was being considered, a final decision had not been made. <more> Sept. 15, 2009 Ag Alert    

Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

• USDA projects 13-billion-bushel corn crop - - Remember when 150 bushels per acre was an outstanding corn yield? It’s now below average. Based on conditions as of Sept. 1, USDA projects U.S. corn yields to average 161.9 bushels per acre, up 2.4 bushels from August and 8 bushels above last year. In its latest Crop Production report, the agency now projects total U.S. corn production at 13 billion bushels, up 2 percent from last month and 7 percent higher than 2008. If realized, this will be the highest yield on record and production will be the second largest, behind 2007. The agency predicts farmers will harvest 80 million acres of corn for grain, up from 78.6 million last year. <more> Sept. 11, 2009 Dairy Herd Management
   

• FSIS moves forward on natural label claims - - The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will soon publish in the Federal Register an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) addressing the “Use of the Voluntary Claim ‘Natural’ in the Labeling of Meat and Poultry Products.” FSIS noted it has reviewed a large volume of comments that expressed divergent views on the use of the claim “natural” following its December 2006 public meeting. As a result, FSIS said it is publishing the ANPR to solicit additional comments to clarify and resolve issues surrounding the “natural” claims, including how best to coordinate FSIS’ regulation of “natural” claims with the Agricultural Marketing Service’s voluntary “naturally raised” marketing claim standard. Sept. 11, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• Food System Summit scheduled for October - - The 2009 Food System Summit, sponsored by the Center for Food Integrity and the National Council of Chain Restaurants, will be held October 6-7 at the Airport Hilton Hotel in Kansas City, Mo. The summit theme is "The New Normal – Building Consumer Trust during Unprecedented Market Volatility." Filmmaker Robert Kenner, director of the movie Food Inc., and other food system leaders will address their concerns regarding market and production realties in relation to the source and method of food production. Issues on nutrition, animal welfare, food safety and sustainability are on the agenda. Registration information for the summit is available at by clicking here. Sept. 111, 2009 WattPoultry.com

• Vilsack admonishes media for misrepresenting flu virus - - "I want folks who are in the business of conveying information to understand that behind that message there is a family sitting at a breakfast table wondering how in the hell they are going to pay the bills, when they continually have to sell pork for less than what it costs to produce as they continue to get hammered for something that they had absolutely nothing to do with." Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack held a press conference Sept. 10 with the intended purpose of explaining the USDA’s preparedness to handle the potential onset H1N1 influenza this fall.As the 30-minute media briefing drew on, the secretary’s exasperation with the general media’s persistent misrepresentation of the 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus as “swine flu” became apparent. <more> Sept. 11, 2009 Southeast Farm Press
   

• As Hill Debate on Climate Flounders, EPA Plows Ahead on Emission Rules - - The Obama administration is finalizing rules to control industrial greenhouse gas emissions amid growing skepticism about the prospects of Congress passing a comprehensive climate change bill this year. U.S. EPA is nearly finished with rules that answer the Supreme Court's 2007 opinion on global warming, as well as a nationwide standard to control greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. The regulatory push comes as Senate Democrats struggle to find the votes to pass a global warming bill. Committee chairmen have delayed the introduction of their cap-and-trade proposal until later this month, but it is unclear if they will get traction as Congress wades deeper into a battle over overhauling the nation's health care system. <more> Sept. 11, 2009 NY Times
   

• Senate Dems Send Small Signs of Progress on Climate Bill - - Key Senate Democrats insisted that they are making incremental progress on a comprehensive global warming bill as they returned to Capitol Hill yesterday following a month long break where health care reform surged to the top of Congress' legislative agenda.  Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) told reporters she has made "many decisions" on the climate legislation in recent weeks but declined to elaborate on specifics ahead of a bill introduction later this month with Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.). "You will find out soon enough, as soon as we have our press conference on the bill," Boxer said. "But it is going well." <more> Sept. 11, 2009 NY Times

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009

• Ground broken on Tulare site of kosher chicken-processing plant - - Southern California businessman Hillel Shamam could barely hide his excitement at Wednesday's groundbreaking for House of David, a kosher chicken-processing plant expected to open in March in Tulare . "The whole thing is a miracle," he said. "It's a pleasure to be part of it." Tulare City Manager Darrel Pyle shared Shamam's excitement. "I am just absolutely thrilled," he said. The plant is expected to create 70 jobs initially and 50 more later. Shamam said all employees will be local, except for a four-person management team and 12 workers who will handle slaughtering duties. The 60,000-square-foot plant will process 40,000 chickens daily, all from a local provider. California Poultry Federation President Bill Mattos noted that he had discussions with Shaman recently and wished him well with his venture. “It is always a challenge to open a new processing plant, especially in today’s economy but it appears he will have a unique market here in California for kosher chicken,” said Mattos. “We are pleased that he has indicated he will source his products from California chicken producers.” Shamam has tentatively indicated he will join the CPF as a member once his plant is in full operation.  . <more> Sept. 10, 2009 Visalia Times-Delta
   

• Iowa hatchery addresses welfare problems - - The operator of the Spencer, Iowa chick hatchery that made news last week says it has corrected improper handling practices, according to a statement from the parent company. The hatchery was depicted in a graphic undercover video released last week by the animal-rights group Mercy for Animals, showing workers killing, injuring and generally mishandling young poultry. According to the statement, the company hired an independent firm to inspect the Spencer facility after the video was released.  Following is the company's full statement: "At Hy-Line International and Hy-Line North America we place the highest priority on the well-being and safety of our birds and the care and safety of our employees. Well-defined animal welfare policies and procedures that are designed to meet or exceed local and international standards are in place at all of our facilities. <more> Sept. 10, 2009 Dairy Herd Management
   

• USDA prepared for H1N1, urges accurate reference - - Deputy Ag Secretary Kathleen Merrigan told reporters on Thursday, September 10 she expects the H1N1 influenza to hit the U.S. swine herd and when it does, she says USDA is prepared. “I just hope it’s not big headlines on front pages of newspapers,” said Merrigan. “We know that this is an influenza that spreads, we are preparing for this, and I want to reassure you that every missionary of USDA is engaged in preparing for H1N1, as well as trying to deal with the fallout for producers.” <more> Sept. 10, 2009 Brownfield Ag News  
  
   

• Annual meeting will feature talk by former Assembly Speaker Brown --  CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: Alpharma; ASC/Agrecom; Elanco Animal Health; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Billington Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Fort Dodge Animal Health; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Pactiv Corporation; PennField Animal Health; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys, Inc.; Archer Daniels Midland; Bayer Animal Health; Big Dutchman USA; BJK Flexible Packaging; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Diamond V Mills; Diestel Turkey Ranch; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard, LLC; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Jones-Hamilton Co. PLT/PWT/SAS; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; Petaluma Poultry Processors; Rabobank; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; U.S. Cold Storage of California; Volk Enterprises; Walco International, Inc.; Willie Bird Turkeys; Woodland Farms; Zinpro Corporation
  
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.
   

• Obama names Sherman USDA Natural Resources and Environment Undersecretary  - - President Barack Obama today announced his intent to nominate Harris Sherman as Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sherman will serve with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "For decades, Harris Sherman has been dedicated to conserving and improving the environment in Colorado and beyond," said Vilsack. "It would be a privilege to have a public servant like Harris join the USDA leadership team to help carry out President Obama's vision for protecting the natural resources we need for a healthy and prosperous America." <more> Sept. 10, 2009 USDA Press Release  
   

• EPA fines Central Valley company for ammonia release  - - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined Turlock Cold Storage $21,086 for failing to properly notify emergency responders of an ammonia release in February. After an equipment failure, more than 1,000 pounds of ammonia was released at the Turlock Cold Storage facility -- triggering a requirement that the company immediately notify the proper authorities to ensure an appropriate response. “Facilities using hazardous chemicals need to understand the importance of providing timely and accurate information to the appropriate local, state, and federal officials,” says Daniel Meer, assistant director for the Pacific Southwest Region’s Superfund program. “Without this information, emergency responders cannot adequately protect themselves and our communities in the event of a chemical release.” <more> Sept. 10, 2009 Central Valley Business Times   

• Rough waters for water plan passage - - The Water Conference Committee signed off last night on a five-bill package to address Delta conservation and water supply issues. The conference report got the eight signatures needed to pass out of the committee in time for a floor vote, but none of the Republicans on the panel were on board with the plan. Sen. Dave Cogdill, the lead Republican in the negotiations, called the conference report "an unbalanced package of bills that ignores the need for a reliable water supply and only caters to the interests of extreme environmentalists." <more> Sept. 10, 2009 Sacramento Bee

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009

• The salty truth about plumped chicken - - Buying chicken that has been plumped up with saltwater, chicken stock or seaweed extract is costing consumers - and possibly putting their health at risk, a coalition of poultry producers and consumers contends. Most people don't know that much of the poultry sold in the United States contains 15 percent (by weight) saltwater, costing an estimated $1.50 a package, said Ira Brill, spokesman for Livingston, Calif.-based Foster Farms, a member of the Truthful Labeling Coalition. That $1.50 paid for water is based on a 3-pound package of boneless skinless chicken breasts priced at $3.33 a pound. <more> Sept. 9, 2009 Palm Beach Post    
   

• Food facilities now required to report potentially dangerous products - - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a new way to head off potential cases of foodborne illness – the Reportable Food Registry (RFR), where food industry officials must use to alert the FDA quickly, through an electronic portal when they find their products might sicken or kill people or animals. The requirement, a result of legislation, took effect with the launch of the portal. Facilities that manufacture, process or hold food for consumption in the United States now must tell the FDA within 24 hours if they find a reasonable probability that an article of food will cause severe health problems or death to a person or an animal. The reporting requirement applies to all foods and animal feed regulated by the FDA, except infant formula and dietary supplements, which are covered by other regulatory requirements. Some examples of reasons a food may be reportable include bacterial contamination, allergen mislabeling or elevated levels of certain chemical components. <more> Sept. 9, 2009 FDA Press Release   
   

• Arkansas Senator new Ag Committee Chair - - Senator Blanche Lincoln, a 7th generation Arkansan and the daughter of a farmer is the new Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, taking over for Iowa Senator Tom Harkin who becomes Chairman of the Health Committee. Senator Lincoln has been a member of the Senate Ag Committee since elected in 1998, she is the first from Arkansas, and the first female to serve as Chairman. Stewart Doane, Sr. Editor for Agri-Pulse describes Senator Lincoln as a moderate. <more> Sept. 9, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• NCC Congratulates Sen. Lincoln on Agriculture Committee Chairmanship - - The National Chicken Council today released the following statement following the announcement that Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln will be the new chair of the Senate Ag Committee, replacing Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin: “America’s chicken producer/processors congratulate Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas on her elevation to the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. We have worked with Senator Lincoln on many occasions and have always been impressed by her interest, concern, and knowledge of the issues.  With Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia as the ranking minority member, the committee is being led by legislators with a strong interest in the poultry industry.” Sept. 9, 2009 NCC Press Release
   

• USDA and HHS Unveil New Food Safety Consumer Web Site - - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the co-chairs of the Obama Administration's Food Safety Working Group, unveiled a new consumer Web site today at www.foodsafety.gov. The site is designed to help consumers and families get all the latest information on food safety and food recalls in one convenient place. The new site features information from all the agencies across the federal government that deal with critical food and food safety information, including preventive tips about how to handle food safely, alerts on life-saving food recalls, and the latest news from the key agencies. <more> Sept. 89, 2009 USDA Press Release
   

• Dr. Humiston named head of California USDA Rural Development - - Dr. Glenda Humiston has been appointed state director of USDA Rural Development in California.  Humiston, appointed by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, will be located in the Davis state office. “Glenda will be an important advocate on behalf of rural communities in California and help administer the valuable programs and services provided by the USDA that can enhance their economic success,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Humiston has spent over 25 years working on public policy development and program implementation that supports sustainability.  She served from 1998 – 2001 as Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment at USDA.  While there she received national honor awards from USDA and EPA as well as two “Hammer” Awards from Vice President Gore for outstanding government programs. Humiston resides in Novato with her wife, Grace Flannery.  She holds a Bachelor of Science from Colorado State University in Animal Science and a Master’s degree from the University of California at Davis in International Agricultural Development.  Sept. 9, 2009 USDA Press Release
   

• Mike Duvall resigns from Assembly - - Republican Assemblyman Mike Duvall, caught in a sex scandal, abruptly resigned Wednesday from the Assembly, shortly after the Orange County lawmaker was  stripped of all his leadership positions.  "I have come to the conclusion that it would not be fair to my family, my constituents or to my friends on both sides of the aisle to remain in office. Therefore, I have decided to resign my office, effective immediately..."  Duvall said in a written statement published on his campaign web site. The action followed published and televised reports that Duvall had a sexual relationship with a female lobbyist. Earlier, Assembly leaders had removed him from the vice-chairmanship of the Utilities and Commerce Committee, his seat on the powerful Assembly Rules Committee and his ranking role in the GOP caucus.  <more> Sept. 9, 2009 Capitol Weekly  

• Ag Dept. floats new trade rules -- The Agriculture Department wants farmers to fight fair as they compete for foreign customers. A trade promotion program popular among California farm groups will not subsidize overseas ads that contain "derogatory reference or negative comparison to other U.S. agricultural commodities," rules proposed Tuesday state. Simply put, snark is out. Farm organization representatives Tuesday were hard-pressed to recall any negative overseas ads previously financed by the $200 million-a-year Market Access Program. <more> Sept. 9, 2009 Modesto Bee
   

• How the UFW dug itself into a hole over water - - A year ago, when state legislators proposed a $9.8-billion water bond, United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez applauded: "We are very excited about that because we want to see a viable agricultural industry throughout the state of California ; we want to see farmworkers employed."  Last week, Rodriguez created a political committee, bankrolled with $1 million from a national labor coalition, to oppose the very same idea. It's not the interests of farmworkers that have changed; the UFW's about-face appears to have been a clumsy attempt at political blackmail. <more> Sept. 9, 2009 LA Times 

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009

• From Chicken Feathers to Flower Pots - - Chicken feathers, usually an unwanted byproduct of poultry processing, may have a more valuable future as an ingredient in biodegradable flower pots, according to an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist. Chemist Walter Schmidt, in the ARS Environmental Management and Byproduct Utilization Laboratory in Beltsville, Md., has been developing practical uses for discarded chicken feathers. Each year, approximately 4 billion pounds of chicken feathers are left over after processing in the United States. Working with the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) in Washington, DC, Schmidt and HRI research associate Masud Huda have formulated planting pots that degrade over variable periods of time, ranging from one to five years. <more> Sept. 8, 2009 ARS Press Release
   

• Ag industry defends itself over grisly chick video - - Paul Lasley cringed when he heard about an undercover video showing unwanted chicks being tossed alive into a grinder at an Iowa hatchery. The images were upsetting, to be sure, but as someone who grew up on a farm, Lasley knows that bringing meat and poultry to America's dinner table is often a grisly business. "When our parents made the decision to send this cow or pig or lamb to market, it was a sad day," he recalled. "But it would be sadder if we couldn't make the payment on the farm." Lasley, a sociologist at Iowa State University who specializes in rural issues, and others argue that most Americans in this age of supermarkets, suburbanization and multinational agribusinesses know little about farming and how animals raised for food are treated and why. <more> Sept. 8, 2009 AP 
   

• Grocery prices fall for poultry, meat, dairy - - Grocery shoppers are finally seeing some reprieve from last year's steep price increases. Food prices are dropping on some key items as retailers slash prices to better compete and food makers do more promotions and pass along savings from lower ingredient and gasoline costs. Prices for dairy, meat, fruits, vegetables and bread have all fallen. <more> Sept. 8, 2009 AP   
  
   

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• California businesses face new use tax registration - - Thousands of California businesses will be required to register with the California State Board of Equalization and report and pay any use tax owed for purchases made in the preceding year, beginning in 2009, under legislation recently enacted, it was announced today by the BOE. The BOE will be notifying 184,000 businesses by letter beginning this week of this obligation. The new use tax registration and reporting law requires "qualified purchasers" to register with the BOE and report and pay use tax. <more> Sept. 8, 2009 Central Valley Business Times     
   

• State fees on greenhouse gas output could be near - - State air-quality regulators appear back on track to impose the nation's first broad-based fee on greenhouse gas emissions, potentially costing Californians a little extra to fill their gas tanks, turn up the heat or go out to dinner. Regulators estimate that overall, the average consumer will pay less than $1.50 a year more once the fee is passed down by energy providers and others that release greenhouse gasses linked to global warming. “We are all aware that California's present economic environment is less than favorable and this is a difficult time to propose a fee,” said Jeannie Blakeslee, a state regulator who helped craft the plan. <more> Sept. 8, 2009 San Diego Union
   

Friday, Sept. 4, 2009

• Woodland Farms Launches New Website - - California-based Woodland Farms has launched a new website, www.woodlandduck.com,  in an effort to reach out to members of the local California Asian market and customers throughout the Western United States. “We are excited about our new site, because it provides another avenue for us to connect with our customers,” said Dr. Dan Shafer, General Manager for Woodland Farms. “It highlights the benefits of our ducks and serves as a direct connection to our customer service department.” Features of the website include product descriptions and photos, as well as a page highlighting specials that the company is offering. “Woodland Farms website also highlights several of our product benefits,” said Shafer.  “We are extremely proud of the exceptional skin quality and value that our California-grown duck offers.  Our ducks are fed an all-natural grain diet that does not include any growth promotants or antibiotics. It is important for our customers to recognize this.” Woodland Farms is a leading producer of USDA-inspected Asian-style duck, supplying premium duck products to foodservice markets throughout the Western Region of the United States.  A 50-year commitment to superior skin and carcass quality ensures its customers the highest quality White Pekin duck available and earned the company the Duck Supplier of the Year Award from the American Chinese Restaurant Association in 2008.   For more information, visit www.woodlandduck.com  or call the customer service department at 800-228-9382. Sept. 4, 2009 Woodland Farms Press Release
   

• ERS releases report on future ethanol production - - The Economic Research Service of the USDA has published "Full Throttle U.S. Ethanol Expansion Faces Challenges Down the Road." The report focuses on the Renewable Fuel Standard in the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act. Use of ethanol to produce E10 blends will attain a plateau, falling short of the proposed 2020 biofuel initiative, according to the report. Although extensive research is underway on cellulosic ethanol, the second generation is far from commercialization and will not be a reality for at least a decade in the opinion of industry observers. <more> Sept. 4, 2009 WattPoultry .com
   

• Senate environment committee to delay climate change measure- - Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and John Kerry (D-MA), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, announced this week that they will need more time to write climate change legislation and have put off introduction until the end of September. Senators Boxer and Kerry cited the death of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Senator Kerry’s hip surgery, and the Senate’s consideration of health care legislation as the reasons for pushing back the timetable for introduction. Senator Boxer had intended to introduce the bill as soon as the Senate returned from its August recess September 8, and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) had given the six committees with jurisdiction over the bill until September 28 to mark up the measure. Introducing the bill in late September means the Environment and Public Works Committee, as well as other Senate committees, will not take up the bill until October. The committees still plan to hold hearings the week after the bill’s introduction followed by a mark-up the week after that. While the Environment and Public Works Committee is the primary committee of jurisdiction, the bill must go to five other committees--Finance, Agriculture, Commerce, Science and Transportation, Energy and Natural Resources, and Foreign Relations--before it is completed. Sept. 4, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• Senate Ag Committee cap and trade hearing next week - - The Senate Agriculture Committee has scheduled another hearing on climate change legislation. This one will be held September 9th.  According to a report on DTN.com, the hearing will explore the impact climate change legislation could have on certain agriculture-related issues.  It will host three panels, with the first two examining how best to regulate markets in a cap and trade system. Another panel will look to better understand producer group
   perspectives on the global warming legislation. Sept. 4, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• Expect more of the same from TIME and others - - Bryan Walsh, author of TIME Magazine's cover story "The Real Cost of Cheap Food," admitted in an AgriTalk interview Monday morning that the story took the angle he wanted to pursue rather than presenting both sides in a balanced, objective manner. Walsh's article was highly critical of U.S. food production. Walsh said it’s been a trend at TIME to have “more stories angled toward the point of view of the writer.” “Rather than just doing the sort of story where you do 50 percent on one side, 50 percent on the other, you allow the writer to look at it and make some of his own judgments,” Walsh said. Read the full transcript of Walsh’s interview with Agritalk host Mike Adams. Here is a commentary written by Greg Henderson, editor of Drovers, a sister publication of Dairy Herd Management: <more> Sept. 4, 2009 Dairy Herd Management  
   

• Get in the game - - by Cyndi Young - - Agriculture is taking a lot of hits these days - from lawmakers who seem to be tuning us out to yellow journalists whose articles, films and books are rife with misinformation - to animal rights activists and confused environmentalists who believe America’s farmers are polluting the planet because cows belch and we use crop inputs to protect our crops from insects and disease. Friends, I’ve said it a million times and I’ll continue to holler at the top of my lungs until I’m blue in the face: we cannot afford to be spectators. There is too much to lose! If we want the agriculture industry in this country to survive and thrive, we must get in the game. <more> Sept. 4, 2009 Brownfield Ag News  

• Costa questions state on purchase of non-US food for distribution - - Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) has sent a letter to the director of the California Department of Social Services questioning how the state uses federal money to purchase food for emergency food distribution.  During the August work period, Costa witnessed firsthand that some of the produce being distributed to those in need is coming from China or other overseas markets, rather than from domestic farms.  “The drought has already put those who grow the most nutritious food in the world out of work and into food lines,” Costa said.  “What lacks common sense is why the State of California is using taxpayer dollars to buy produce from overseas markets.  Our money needs to support local, state, and United States farmers.  The State of California has some questions to answer on this policy.” California Emergency Food Assistance Program received approximately $30 million in federal money to purchase food products for low-income individuals and needy families during Fiscal Year 2009.  §7 CFR part 250.23 specifically states that “When purchasing food products with Federal funds…recipient agencies shall purchase only food products that are produced in the United States.”  If the state is using federal money to buy carrots or peaches from China, they would be in violation of that law.  “I have said for the last year that our Valley, our state and our nation cannot become dependent on the rest of the world to grow our food.  We must come together to solve our state’s water challenges, bring Valley farms back to full operation and feed our nation, otherwise, what we have witnessed in our food lines is a very frightening sign of things to come,” Costa concluded. Sept, 4, 2009 Rep. Costa Press Release
   

• Delta a bargaining chip in water talks - - Republicans are seeking to limit the power of a proposed council to oversee the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, as a condition to signing off on legislation to overhaul the state’s water system. The role and makeup of the envisioned Delta Stewardship Council is one of several sticking points lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office are negotiating behind closed doors as they seek a compromise in the final days of the legislative session, which ends in a week. Talks heated up Thursday and today and are scheduled to continue through the weekend, but major hurdles remain. <more> Sept. 4, 2009 Fresno Bee    
   

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009

• Farmworker union bill vetoed -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday vetoed legislation that would make it easier for farmworkers to join unions, marking the third straight year he has rejected the top priority of the United Farm Workers union. Senate Bill 789, by Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, would have given workers the option of bypassing secret-ballot elections. Instead, they could sign representation cards. If a majority signed up, the state would certify the new bargaining unit. Bill supporters say the elections process allows time for company officials to intimidate workers against joining unions. <more> Sept. 3, 2009 Fresno Bee  
   

• Michigan agribusiness, animal-rights groups negotiate on farm-animal legislation - - Michigan agribusiness leaders are discussing compromises to pending state legislation dealing with standards for farm animals in an effort to avoid a ballot initiative from animal-rights advocates. Michigan swine and poultry industry leaders met with the Humane Society of the United States Thursday to discuss changes to Michigan House bills 5127 and 5128, which were introduced to the house last month. The two bills, which would codify current farm animal industry standards, are being opposed by the animal-activist group because they fail to address animal-confinement issues. <more> Sept. 3, 2009 Kalamazoo Gazette
   

• FDA Bill a Bipartisan Victory for Dingell - - The sweeping food-safety bill that passed the House this summer was a victory for Michigan Democrat John Dingell, a longtime critic of the Food and Drug Administration who has pushed versions of the legislation for more than 20 years. Many lawmakers from both parties credited Mr. Dingell for winning bipartisan approval for a bill that gives the FDA more power and funding to police food safety -- an effort that stands in contrast to the current partisan rancor over health-care legislation. The measure passed the chamber 283-142, with support from 54 Republicans. "When you use the process and actually have bipartisan negotiations -- as Mr. Dingell did in this case -- you reach a consensus that is good for the country," said Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, the ranking Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which approved the legislation unanimously in June. <more> Sept. 3, 2009 Wall Street Journal  

• Schwarzenegger demands response to water crisis -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called on the Obama administration Wednesday to intervene immediately in California's water crisis, saying environmental restrictions that have slashed water deliveries to farms and cities were having "catastrophic impacts." The Republican governor sent a letter demanding a federal response to the state's prior requests to hold talks about reduced supplies from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the delicate ecosystem that serves as the main conduit moving water from north to south. The governor and the farming industry have been pressing the federal government to rewrite plans protecting species like the chinook salmon in a way that will lessen impacts on the water supply. <more> Sept. 3, 2009 AP
   

• Union politics, Latino clout entwined in water battle - - Latinos’ political clout has emerged as a driving force in the political battle over overhauling California’s water system, with a coalition of statewide officials linking with the Legislature’s Latino Caucus to attempt to force change. “They’ve always had the clout, they just haven’t exercised it,” said Mario Santoyo, a director and adviser to the California Latino Water Coalition and an executive at the Friant Water Authority. They want a water plan that includes a canal through or around the delta east of San Francisco, reservoirs, desalination, recycling, delta environmental protections, and more water for Central and Southern California. And more.  “But what really brought them to the table this time was the crisis, the drought, in the Central Valley that has left hundreds of thousands of acres fallow. There are Latinos in the bread lines, there are Latinos in the unemployment lines,” Santoyo said <more> Sept. 3, 2009 Capitol Weekly  
   

• Bee editorial: Cogdill's presence vital on water panel - - It's a good sign that Sen. Dave Cogdill of Modesto is one of 14 legislators on the committee trying to make progress on overhauling the state's water system. Our elected officials have shown they often are most productive when in the midst of a crisis and facing a hard deadline, and this committee faces a Tuesday deadline. Cogdill is knowledgeable and well regarded on state water issues. He's also optimistic that after talking about this issue for more than two years, legislators can get something done. We sure hope so because getting sufficient water to agriculture, business and urban users is essential to improving our economy. Sept. 3, 2009 Modesto Bee

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009

• Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoes 'card check' bill - - Gov. Schwarzenegger on Wednesday rejected the United Farm Workers' top bill of the year, a measure that would have made it easier for the UFW to sign up new members. Schwarzenegger's action on the 'card check' bill, SB 789 by Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg,  D-Sacramento, came a day after a national union coalition poured $1 million into a UFW-backed committee to oppose the governor's own top legislative priority -- an overhaul of California's water system.    Although the governor has vetoed similar measures in the past, the timing of the two events was apparently linked. And the governor's veto escalated political tensions in the Capitol as the final days of the 2009 legislative year got under way. <more> Sept. 2, 2009 Capitol Weekly
   

• Pilgrim's declines comment on possible JBS bid - - Pilgrim's Pride Corp said Wednesday it would not comment on a newspaper report that Brazilian beef company JBS may be interested in taking over the U.S. chicken company. Pilgrim's Pride shares were slightly higher in morning trading. "We don't comment on rumors or speculation," Pilgrim spokesman Gary Rhodes told Reuters in an email. Newspaper Valor Economico reported Wednesday, without saying how it obtained the information, that JBS, the world's largest beef processor, had approached Pilgrim's Pride for possible takeover talks. <more> Sept. 2, 2009 Reuters
   

• Hy-Line investigates alleged abuses - - On Sept. 1, PETA posted a video (click here to view) on its website based on an “undercover investigation” by the pro-vegan group, Mercy for Animals, showing operations at a Hy-Line hatchery in Spencer, Iowa. This investigation showed a number of cruel and abusive practices, and focused primarily on the euthanizing of the male chicks. That same day, Hy-Line International and Hy-Line North America issued a statement which said that the care and safety of the birds and employees is the company’s first priority. Hy-Line also said that they have initiated an immediate investigation to see if any animal welfare policies were violated and to take disciplinary action against anyone violating company policy. Hy-Line stated that the company is committed to meeting or exceeding all industry poultry welfare standards. <more> Sept. 2, 2009 WattPoultry.com
  
   

• Lt. Gov. Garamendi wins congressional race nomination - - Lt. Gov. John Garamendi is one step closer to the next chapter of his long political career after winning the Democratic nomination for a Northern California congressional seat.  Garamendi, 64, defeated three other well-funded Democrats in Tuesday's special election for the 10th Congressional District seat that opened earlier this year when former Rep. Ellen Tauscher was confirmed to an undersecretary position in the State Department. He received 26 percent of the vote in the relatively low turnout election but failed to win the race outright, meaning he will face Republican Dave Harmer in a special general election on Nov. 3. Candidates from the Green, American Independent and Peace and Freedom parties also will be on the ballot. <more> Sept. 2, 2009 AP   
   

• More seek aid in California’s breadbasket Central Valley - - The combined punch of drought, water restrictions and recession has created an ironic situation in California’s Central Valley: Officials are handing out tons of food in the heart of one of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions. At a dusty flea market in Selma last week, more than 800 people — many farmworkers — lined up for two weeks’ supply of cereal, rice, canned tomatoes and other basics. They waited in 99-degree heat as the food was distributed from 6 a.m. until late afternoon. “We either have money for gas and medicine, or food — not both,” Helen Hernandez, a 51-year-old mother of four, said after collecting a pallet of food from the relief drive. Ms. Hernandez said her husband, David, 49, has been out of work since losing his $1,200-a-month job at a tomato-packing house last year. <more> Sept. 2, 2009 wall Street Journal   
  
   

• Legislative panel starts work on water deal  - - The Legislature's water conference committee met for about an hour and a half this morning and promised to meet every day through Labor Day weekend in search of a deal. But many contentious issues remain. Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, identified 14 issues, several of which have been hotly debated for years. (To view a video of Steinberg's comments, please click here.) For instance, lawmakers must decide how to pay for water upgrades, which could potentially include dams and a new canal to move water around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to cites and farms in the Valley and Southern California. Republicans want a bond that would be paid back from the state's general fund. Democrats say they are open to a bond, but want to balance it with new water user fees. <more> Sept. 2, 2009 AP  
   

• Battle lines drawn over soda, junk food taxes - - Increasingly vocal calls for taxes on sugary drinks and junk food are fueling a behind- the-scenes battle that public health officials say is reminiscent of America's war on cigarettes. The U.S. obesity epidemic has blossomed into a public health crisis and overweight adolescents are starting to suffer problems that used to plague middle-aged adults -- early heart disease and type 2 diabetes. While restaurant operators and food and soda makers promote personal responsibility and moderation, backers of the taxes say levies on foods that quickly add extra pounds are a necessary part of any successful anti-obesity effort. <more> Sept. 2, 2009 Reuters

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009

• AP Exclusive: Video shows chicks ground up alive - - An undercover video shot by an animal rights group at an Iowa egg hatchery shows workers discarding unwanted chicks by sending them alive into a grinder, and other chicks falling through a sorting machine to die on the factory floor. Chicago-based Mercy for Animals said it shot the video at Hy-Line North America's hatchery in Spencer, Iowa, over a two-week period in May and June. The video was obtained Monday by The Associated Press. Hy-Line said in a statement it has started an investigation "of the entire situation," adding that it would have helped their investigation "had we been aware of the potential violation immediately after it occurred." <more> Sept. 1, 2009 AP
   

• Judge: State entitled to a jury trial in poultry waste lawsuit  - -  The state of Oklahoma is entitled to a jury trial for part of its civil lawsuit accusing the Arkansas poultry industry of polluting the Illinois River watershed with bird waste, a federal judge has ruled.  U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell denied the poultry companies’ motion to hear the whole case from the bench. He ruled Wednesday that a jury could determine whether the companies are liable for civil penalties under the state’s anti-pollution laws – specifically, whether pollution of any of the state’s waters constitutes a public nuisance. <more> Sept. 1, 2009 AP   
   

• Annual meeting will feature talk by former Assembly Speaker Brown --  CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: Alpharma; ASC/Agrecom; Elanco Animal Health; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Billington Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Fort Dodge Animal Health; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Pactiv Corporation; PennField Animal Health; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys, Inc.; Archer Daniels Midland; Bayer Animal Health; Big Dutchman USA; BJK Flexible Packaging; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Diamond V Mills; Diestel Turkey Ranch; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard, LLC; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Jones-Hamilton Co. PLT/PWT/SAS; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; Petaluma Poultry Processors; Rabobank; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; U.S. Cold Storage of California; Volk Enterprises; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms; Zinpro Corporation
  
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.

    

   

   

• West Sac biofuels site has plan for riding out slump - - Though far behind schedule, the major biofuel operation planned for the Port of West Sacramento is still alive and its developer is in talks with new investors. Long Beach startup Primafuel Inc. unveiled plans in early 2007 to build the state's largest biodiesel plant and a distribution terminal at the port. The company expected to be churning out the diesel substitute within two years. At the time, the market seemed ready to swallow all the biofuel the nation could produce. "Those days are over," said Rahul Iyer, Primafuel's chief strategy officer. In the last year, the biofuels industry has gone into a tailspin. Plants making ethanol from corn and biodiesel from vegetable oil or animal fat have shut down across the country. Several companies, including Sacramento-based Pacific Ethanol Inc., have sought bankruptcy protection as the sector struggles with debt, a glut of production capacity and relatively low oil prices. <more> Sept. 1, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• Water negotiations moving ahead in Capitol - - Negotiations over a massive overhaul of California's water system picked up steam in the Capitol amid an array of meetings that included a closed-door briefing for lawmakers by the Schwarzenegger administration's top water officials.  A 14-member, two-house conference committee, chaired by Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, is scheduled to begin meeting Tuesday to actually draw up the water plan.  The final proposal, an historic attempt to achieve a compromise in the state's seemingly endless water wars, is intended to be completed by the end of this week, with floor votes next week, said sources in both houses and participants in the discussions. The lawmakers are likely to work through the weekend. <more> Sept. 1, 2009 Capitol Weekly
   

Monday, Aug. 31, 2009

• TIME magazine writer talks about controversial cover story on food - - TIME magazine writer Bryan Walsh author of “The Real Cost of Cheap Food” was interviewed on AgriTalk about his controversial cover story. His comments provide an interesting perspective on how news coverage is evolving from "hard" news to efforts to engages readers in a conversation as traditional news outlets search for a business model in the Internet age.  Click here to listen to the interview.  
   

• State cuts imperil program to preserve farmland - - Strolling through emerald groves of orange trees, Tulare County citrus grower Allen Ishida said he reckons he'll have to sell some of his 270 acres to pay higher property taxes should his county pull out of a threatened farmland preservation program. Thirty miles down California 99, third-generation almond grower Don Davis was making similar calculations. Davis figures he could rip out rows of almond trees stretching over 480 acres near McFarland in Kern County and sell the land, if necessary. He'd have no choice, Davis said. His property taxes would probably triple from $44,000. <more> Aug. 30, 2009 LA Times
   

• Fixing Delta comes with high price tag: $54 billion - - The Delta fix supported by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and many of the state's largest water agencies could carry a staggering price tag of $23 billion to $54 billion, a consulting economist was planning to tell lawmakers Tuesday. The estimate, provided in a paper by Steven Kasower, appears to be the first time that potential costs of different pieces of the proposed fix — storing and moving water, offsetting environmental damage caused by those projects and restoring habitat — have been compiled in one place. But he emphasized that the numbers were very preliminary and that lawmakers would be foolhardy to pass a package of bills before better numbers are available. <more> Aug. 31, 2009 Contra Costa Times

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• Keep your self-righteous fingers off my processed food - - Just in time for the worst economic downturn since the Depression, here comes a new crop of social critics to inform us that we're actually spending too little for the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the furniture we sit on and the gasoline that runs our automobiles.  Never mind that U.S. job losses these days range from 200,000 to 500,000 a month, that foreclosures are up 32% over this time last year and that people are re-learning how to clip newspaper coupons so as to save at the supermarket. Dire economic circumstances don't seem to faze these spending enthusiasts, who scold us for shopping at supermarkets instead of at farmer's markets, where a loaf of "artisanal" (and also "sustainable") rye bread sells for $8, ice cream for $6 a cup and organic tomatoes go for $4 a pound. <more> Aug. 31, 2009 LA Times
   

• Op-Ed: We can't restore the Delta by squeezing agriculture - - By Charles Burt chairman, Cal Poly Irrigation Training and Research Center - - When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared that the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta was in a worsening crisis that threatened statewide economic and ecological disaster, he set in motion a process to cure a "sickness" before it spread throughout California. The governor created a special Delta Vision Task Force in 2006 to achieve what were called two co-equal goals: restore the Delta and make California's water supply more reliable. The flurry of water bills being debated by the Legislature makes this clear, since the core proposals focus on restoration of the Delta. Regardless of Sacramento politics, the Delta environment will still dominate decisions because the federal Endangered Species Act and other regulations give the environment priority over human needs. As state leaders consider water issues, they should accept the simple truth that we cannot conserve our way out of the water-supply crisis. Additional storage and conveyance facilities are critical. But the public also deserves a scientific accounting of how much environmental benefit is achieved with specific amounts of water for the Delta compared with the cost or loss to the rest of California. We can't be expected to absorb the cost of providing an unlimited amount of water to the Delta without knowing the benefits. This is asking too much of the people and environment of California. <more> Aug. 31, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• "California's Water Crisis" Topic of New PBS Segment -- The devastating impacts of water shortages on Central Valley farms and communities are revealed in the latest segment of the "California's Water" series, produced by Huell Howser and underwritten by members of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA). The new segment debuts Sept. 1 in Sacramento and will air throughout the month on PBS affiliates around the state.  "California's Water Crisis" offers a first-hand look at the mounting toll of water shortages on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley this summer. During the episode, Howser talks with a number of growers struggling to keep tomato, almond and other crops going. <more> Aug. 31, 209 PBS    
   

• State confirms $73 million water sale - - The state has confirmed a $73 million water sale from a San Joaquin Valley farm water district to a Southern California water district -- which might eventually eliminate 2,500 acres of almond trees near Kettleman City. The sale is bound to cause some anxiety in farm country. Many fear that farmers will sell their water to Southern California for millions of dollars and leave huge tracts of land barren. The Dudley Ridge Water District in the southwest corner of Kings County sold 14,000 acre-feet of water to the Mojave Water Agency in San Bernardino County, according to the California Department of Water Resources. <more> Aug. 31, 2009 Fresno Bee    

Friday. Aug. 28, 2009

• Card check bill approved by Assembly, goes to Governor - - For the third time in three years, state lawmakers have sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a proposal that would change the way farmworker elections have operated since the days of Cesar Chavez. The measure, sponsored by the United Farm Workers and carried by state Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), is intended to circumvent drawn-out campaigns of intimidation by growers. As an alternative to the traditional secret ballot, the bill would allow a union to conduct an election by signing up more than 50% of a farm's workers and then presenting ballots to the state labor board. If a grower protested, the board would be required to investigate any allegations that the election had been improperly conducted. The measure received final legislative approval in the Assembly on Thursday, with a partisan vote of 46 to 28. Republicans, who opposed the bill, argued that it would give the UFW a huge advantage in its bid to unionize workers -- and allow the union to pressure workers. <more> Aug. 28,2009 LA Times  
   

• Indian researcher develops vaccine for Newcastle disease - - A vaccine to prevent Newcastle disease has been developed by Dr. J John Kirubaharan, an associate professor of Madras Veterinary College's department of veterinary microbiology, The Times of India reported. The vaccine incorporates a new strain — the TANUVA D58 — of the Newcastle virus originally obtained from an unvaccinated village chicken. The strain has been bought for Rs 1 million (US$20,500) by Globion for commercial production. The vaccine will help reduce mortality and prevent the spread of conjunctivitis among caretakers who handle the infected birds. It is thermostable and can be stored at different refrigeration temperatures. <more> Aug. 28, 2009 WattPoultyry.com  
   

• Homeland Security proposes to rescind ‘Safe-Harbor’ rule - - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a proposed rule that would rescind its “Safe-Harbor” rule for employers who have received “no match” letters from the Social Security Administration (SSA). When SSA receives a report from an employer in which the combination of employee names and social security number do not match SSA records, the agency informs the employer by sending an “Employer Correction Request,” commonly known as a “no match” letter. The August 2007 DHS final rule described the legal obligations of employers who receive “no match” letters and a safe-harbor from enforcement for employers who follow the rule. The final rule was challenged by the AFL-CIO and others who brought an action in federal court to enjoin the implementation of the safe-harbor rule. The court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction in October 2007.  According to the proposed rule, DHS’ efforts to reduce the employment of unauthorized workers will continue through programs such as E-Verify and IMAGE (ICE Mutual Agreement with Government and Employers), which, according to the agency, have proven to be more efficacious methods of reducing the employment of unauthorized workers and reducing the use of fraudulent identity documents by employees than follow up of the “no match” letters.  Public comments on the proposed rule must be received by September. Aug 28, 2009 NCC Newsletter

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• Ethanol producers squeal “fou(w)l”!- - The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the voice of ethanol producers, has been active in promoting the dubious benefits of diverting food in the form of corn to ethanol. The mantra of freedom from oil imports has pervaded Washington and created a solid bloc of farm-state legislators on both sides of the aisle to advance the cause of ethanol production. Oblivious to science and economics, the RFA continues to disseminate reports and issue statements favoring expanded production of domestic ethanol and to debar importation of cane-derived ethanol from Brazil.<more> Aug. 28, 2009 animalagnet.com

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009

• Farm groups back federal estate tax legislation - - Stressing the multiple benefits of maintaining family farms and ranches, a coalition of California farm organizations has endorsed tax-reform legislation that would exclude farm assets from the federal estate tax. The Family Farm Preservation Estate Tax Act, H.R. 3524, would exempt farm and ranch assets from estate taxes as long as the property remains as a family agricultural operation. Introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Napa, and Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., the bill would also exclude land enrolled in a qualified conservation easement from the estate tax. The legislation is supported by the California Poultry Federation.  <more> Aug. 27, 2009 Farm Bureau Press Release
   

• Annual meeting will feature talk by former Assembly Speaker Brown --  CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: Alpharma; ASC/Agrecom; Elanco Animal Health; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Billington Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Fort Dodge Animal Health; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Pactiv Corporation; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys, Inc.; Archer Daniels Midland; Bayer Animal Health; Big Dutchman USA; BJK Flexible Packaging; Diestel Turkey Ranch; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard, LLC; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Jones-Hamilton Co. PLT/PWT/SAS; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; Rabobank; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.  
   

• Food for the Soul - - by Nicholas Kristof - - On a summer visit back to the farm here where I grew up, I think I figured out the central problem with modern industrial agriculture. It’s not just that it produces unhealthy food, mishandles waste and overuses antibiotics in ways that harm us all. More fundamentally, it has no soul. The family farm traditionally was the most soulful place imaginable, and that was the case with our own farm on the edge of the Willamette Valley. I can’t say we were efficient: for a time we thought about calling ourselves “Wandering Livestock Ranch,” after our Angus cattle escaped in one direction and our Duroc hogs in another. When coyotes threatened our sheep operation, we spent $300 on a Kuvasz, a breed of guard dog that is said to excel in protecting sheep. Alas, our fancy-pants new sheep dog began her duties by dining on lamb. It’s always said that if a dog kills one lamb, it will never stop, and so the local rule was that if your dog killed one sheep you had to shoot it. Instead we engaged in a successful cover-up. It worked, for the dog never touched a lamb again and for the rest of her long life fended off coyotes heroically. That kind of diverse, chaotic family farm is now disappearing, replaced by insipid food assembly lines. <more> Aug. 24, 2009 NY Times  

• Kennedy’s death could change committee assignments - - Senator Ted Kennedy’s death will set off a series of changes in the Senate, including a possible change at the helm of the Agriculture Committee.  That according to a report on farmfutures.com. Kennedy served as chair of the Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.  Next in line to chair the committee is Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, who is currently chair of the Senate Ag Committee.  American Farm Bureau spokesman Mace Thornton says, while Harkin’s always been committed to agriculture, he also has a keen interest in health issues.  Should Harkin switch to chair Health, Thornton says that under one scenario Arkansas’s Blanche Lincoln could succeed Harkin as head of the Ag Committee. <more> Aug. 27, 2009 Brownfield Ag News  
   

• Vilsack Doesn't Expect Strong Effort to Block Cap and Trade - - USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack met with farm broadcasters yesterday to repeat support for cap and trade legislation. After visiting 17 states the secretary says he does not get the impression that there is a concerted or unified effort to block cap and trade. Vilsack's take is, “I think there is an interest in learning more about it, an interest in participating in conversations and discussions about how it needs to be shaped, and I think there was an expectation when it passed the House that the Senate should have its say, and it should. But I don’t anticipate and expect that there’s going to be a real concerted effort to block this legislation. I think there will be a concerted effort to improve it from the Senate perspective.” <more> Aug. 27, 2009 Hoosier Ag Today
   

• Canal raises concerns -- Water stakeholders are expressing reservations over plans for a canal that would carry water around the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, and how pending legislation should address the canal's impacts. The conveyance structure, known as the peripheral canal, is being planned as part of the state's ongoing Bay Delta Conservation Plan. In a joint hearing of the Senate and Assembly water committees on Tuesday, Aug. 25, stakeholders mulled the minutia of how a new Delta-governance structure might ensure waterways' health along with reliable water supplies, and how it would regulate a BDCP process already long under way. Tuesday's hearing was one of a series addressing five water bills that focus on agricultural and urban water efficiency and creation of a management plan and governance structure for the Delta. <more> Aug. 27, 2009 Capital Press
   

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009

• Chicken cage debate continue - - Almost a year after Proposition 2, the Farm Animal Cruelty Act, was passed in California banning so-called "battery pages" for housing chickens, the battle continues over how to implement the somewhat vague legislation. In the months since November, egg farmers have protested that the legislation is vague because it does not spell out in inches and centimeters what type of confinement is allowable under the new law. The Humane Society of America, which sponsored Proposition 2, said that the language of the bill was specifically written based on other animal-welfare legislation. "We wrote the language in the very manner of how all animal cruelty laws are written," said Jennifer Fearing, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society. "You don't write specific engineering standards into law, it just doesn't happen." But the egg industry disagrees. Farmers have said that without specific standards in place to follow, egg producers will live under the threat of being cited for not complying with Proposition 2, which carries the penalty of a $1,000 fine or up to six months in jail. <more> Aug. 25, 2009 Sonoma News   
   

• July poultry production down 5% on the year - - Poultry production during July was down 5% on the year at 3.633 billion pounds as uncertainties over demand continue to impact the market. For the year to date production is 24.250 billion pounds, 6% less than the January to July 2008 total of 25.856 billion. Also, slaughter ready numbers are tighter with the chicken kill 5% below a year ago at 758.861 million head and the turkey slaughter down 11% at 21.493 million. The duck slaughter was 8% under a year ago at 1.890 million head. <more> Aug. 25, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• Sanderson Farms swings to profit - - Chicken producer Sanderson Farms Inc. reported Tuesday it swung to a quarterly profit compared to a year ago, helped by a combination of lower feed-grain costs, higher poultry prices, and supply cuts. For the quarter ended July 31, Sanderson posted net income of $43 million, or $2.09 a share. It lost $3.6 million a year ago when U.S. chicken suppliers suffered from oversupply, record-high prices for corn and soybean meal, and weak demand from sit-down restaurants. Sales rose 8% to $504.8 million for the quarter. The results beat Wall Street's estimate for Sanderson to earn $1.51 a share on sales of $470 million, according to a FactSet analyst survey. <more> Aug. 25, 2009 MarketWatch

• Annual meeting will feature talk by former Assembly Speaker Brown --  CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: Alpharma; ASC/Agrecom; Elanco Animal Health; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Billington Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Fort Dodge Animal Health; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Pactiv Corporation; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys, Inc.; Archer Daniels Midland; Bayer Animal Health; Big Dutchman USA; BJK Flexible Packaging; Diestel Turkey Ranch; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard, LLC; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Jones-Hamilton Co. PLT/PWT/SAS; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; Rabobank; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.  
   

• Newsweek special report looks at Valley economic crisis- - Newsweek magazine this week is carrying a series of unprecedented articles looking at the severe economic crisis hitting the San Joaquin Valley. The series of articles takes an in-depth look at the lack of water for farming and increasing loss of farmland due to urbanization. The series’ first article on the water crisis can be read by clicking here. Aug. 25, 2009 Newsweek

• Mike Berryhill taking on Rep. Cardoza - - Mike Berryhill, a Turlock Irrigation District director and a member of a prominent political family, announced Monday that he is running for Dennis Cardoza's congressional seat. Cardoza, D-Merced, is up for re-election in 2010. Cardoza's district includes part of Stanislaus County. Berryhill is a former Ceres Unified School District trustee and has served on the TID board since 1983. His term expires this year and he is not running for re-election. <more> Aug. 25, 2009 Modesto Bee

Monday, Aug. 24, 2009

• Fresno rendering plant odor fuels new debate - - A new debate has begun over a 56-year-old rendering plant that west Fresno activists say is ruining their quality of life with the overpowering smell of rotting animals. The plant's top executive said recent plant upgrades have all but eliminated the foul odors and, just as importantly, the operation has a legal right to stay and continue its pivotal role in the local economy. But questions about whether the plant needs a conditional-use permit have revived community concerns -- and City Hall must find a solution.  At issue is the rendering plant on West Belgravia Avenue owned by Texas-based Darling International Inc. <more> Aug. 24, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• Production down for US turkeys - - Turkey production in the U.S. for the first six months of 2009 is down 9.4%, totaling 2.8 billion pounds, compared to the same period in 2008, according to the most recent Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook from USDA's Economic Research Service. The drop in production of turkey meat was primarily due to a decline in the number of birds slaughtered. During the first half of 2009, the number of turkeys slaughtered decreased 9.5% compared with the first half of 2008. There was also a small reduction in the average weight of birds going to slaughter. During the first six months of 2009, the number of turkey poults placed for growout totaled only 141 million, down 9.6% from the same period in 2008. Aug. 24, 2009 WattPoultry.com
   

• Annual meeting will feature talk by former Assembly Speaker Brown --  CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: Alpharma; ASC/Agrecom; Elanco Animal Health; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Billington Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Fort Dodge Animal Health; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Pactiv Corporation; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys, Inc.; Bayer Animal Health; Big Dutchman USA; BJK Flexible Packaging; Diestel Turkey Ranch; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard, LLC; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Jones-Hamilton Co. PLT/PWT/SAS; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; Rabobank; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.  
   

• Sen. Denham wants a part-time Legislature - - A Salinas-area senator is adding to the growing list of calls to return California to a part-time Legislature.  State Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, introduced Friday a constitutional amendment aimed at shortening the legislative session by several months. The amendment would also separate the budget and policy-making processes into odd years and even years, respectively. <more> Aug. 24, 2009 Visalia Times Delta   

• Poll puts Garamendi ahead in race for 10th Congressional District seat - - As soon as Ellen Tauscher announced in March that she was vacating her 10th Congressional District seat to join the Obama administration, a longtime friend, state Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, emerged in many people's eyes as her heir apparent. The region's Democratic giants, Tauscher and Rep. George Miller, both supported DeSaulnier, as did influential Assemblyman Tom Torlakson and a slew of Contra Costa County officials. "One of the really sweet things about this was that (Tauscher) told me and others that one of the things she felt really good about leaving was that I was going to replace her," DeSaulnier said. "It's hard to say no to that."  That coronation was spoiled when one of California's most well-known and enduring politicians – Lt. Gov. John Garamendi – jumped into the race in late April. Garamendi has won key endorsements from organized labor and pulled ahead, according to a mid- August poll conducted by the nonpartisan SurveyUSA firm, which showed him winning the support of 26 percent of respondents to DeSaulnier's 15 percent. <more> Aug. 24, 2009 Sacramento Bee   
   

• Sen Cogdill: California has plenty of water right now; we just don't capture and manage this blessing very well - - Excerpted from a speech by Sen. Dave Cogdill last week at the Capitol urging the Legislature to adopt a comprehensive water solution. This has been a long, ongoing battle but there isn't anything more important to the people of this state, or our economy or our place in the world, and quite frankly the security of the United States, in my opinion, than a safe and secure, clean and abundant water supply for California and the businesses that rely on it. It's something that we have been working for an awful long time. And many of you are painfully aware of the problems that we have in the existing system, where it lacks in its ability to meet our needs on an ongoing basis, certainly through a sustained drought, like we are facing now. <more> Aug. 24, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• Vilsack says cap and trade profitable long term - - Economic benefits of cap and trade legislation will outweigh added energy costs, according to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. In a conference call to farm broadcasters Monday, the agriculture secretary maintained that USDA analysis is conservative to the point that some farmers will do better financially than first thought. Some of the payback, says Vilsack, will come from an expected influx of so-called green jobs to rural areas. “This is the first time I’ve seen the opportunity created for Rural America to actually benefit from potential manufacturing opportunities and job growth because the solar panels, the windmills are most likely going to be constructed, maintained and installed in rural areas,” Vilsack told reporters Monday, citing that changes to climate are problematic for agriculture. <more> Aug. 24, 2009 Brownfield Ag News  

Friday, Aug. 21, 2009

• Tyson fined $2 million for Missouri River wastewater violations -- Tyson Fresh Meats, the world's largest beef and pork supplier, will pay $2 million for pumping animal waste into the Missouri River, the Justice Department said Thursday. Justice said the company, a subsidiary of Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale, Ark., violated a 2002 agreement with the government to limit its discharges into the river from a beef processing facility in Dakota City, Neb. The government said the company did not adequately treat the wastewater it discharges into the river, and as a result, fecal coliform and nitrates were discharged. Officials said the discharges caused high levels of toxicity to aquatic life in the river. <more> Aug. 21, 2009 AP  
   

• Chile confirms swine flu in turkeys -- Chile said Friday that tests show swine flu has jumped to birds, opening a new chapter in the global epidemic. Top flu and animal-health experts with the United Nations in Rome and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta were monitoring the situation closely, but said the infected turkeys have suffered only mild effects, easing concern about a potentially dangerous development. Chile's turkey meat remains safe to eat, they said, and so far there have been no signs of a potentially dangerous mutation. Chile's health ministry said it ordered a quarantine Friday for two turkey farms outside the port city of Valparaiso after genetic tests confirmed sick birds were afflicted with the same virus that has caused a pandemic among humans. <more> Aug. 21, 2009 AP      
   

• Ag secretary Vilsack to visit Modesto area Wednesday - - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will visit Modesto next week to hear about troubles in the dairy business and other issues. The visit, Vilsack's first to the area since being appointed by President Barack Obama, will take place Wednesday at the Stanislaus County Agricultural Center. The event is part of the administration's Rural Tour, which has taken Vilsack and a few other Cabinet members to 16 stops around the country this summer, said Caleb Weaver, press secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The visit was arranged with the help of Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, who is on the House Agriculture Committee. <more> Aug. 21, 2009 Modesto Bee 
   

• Tom Vilsack's Farm-Country Tour: A Different Kind of Town Hall - - Health care town-hall meetings are certainly stealing the spotlight these days -- but they're not the only game in town. Mostly unnoticed, a quieter series of town halls is taking place on a different crisis: Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has embarked on a listening tour through rural America to hear about the problems facing farmers. And it's a good thing too, because back on the farm, all is not well. <more> Aug. 21, 2009 Politics Daily
   

• No Lt. Gov. run for Kevin McCarthy - - Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) is not mulling a run for lieutenant governor. The political paper Capitol Weekly said Thursday in a wrap-up of campaign-finance news that that McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, is "pondering" a run for lieutenant governor in 2014. It didn't cite a source. It is true that McCarthy has a lieutenant governor campaign-finance account -- he's had it for a long time -- but he said Thursday he's closing it up and not running for the seat. Capitol Weekly didn't talk to him, McCarthy said. <more> Aug. 21, 2009 Bakersfield Californian.
   

• Ag interests lukewarm on state water bills -- Agricultural interests expressed varying reactions to the package of water bills before the legislature at a joint committee hearing Tuesday, Aug. 18.  Three ag representatives -- two from water districts and one with the California Farm Bureau Federation -- testified at the joint hearing of the Senate and Assembly water committees, which met for a public discussion of five Delta-related bills that will soon be considered by a conference committee. The bills address agricultural and urban water efficiency and creation of a management plan and governance structure for the Delta. Brent Walthall, assistant general manager of Kern County Water Agency in the southern San Joaquin Valley, struck a positive tone, saying the package would be workable with some modifications. <more> Aug. 21, 2009 Capital Press  
   

• Capital Press editorial: Food, Inc.' ignores other side - - What would you think of a newspaper story that presented only one side of an issue? You'd call it shoddy journalism. That's exactly the impression left by the new documentary film "Food, Inc." In it, the director and producers present a portion of the picture of production agriculture, in the process building a case in favor of locally produced, organic food. However, huge parts of the story were left out. For example: <more> Aug. 21, 2009 Capital Press
   

• Bill would ax estate tax for agriculture - - Farmers and ranchers are supporting a bill in Congress that would exempt certain land from the federal estate tax as long as the property is kept in agriculture. The bill by U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., and John Salazar, D-Colo., would deduct from the estate tax the value of farmland in cases where the heir had been involved in the farm operation for five of the past eight years. The idea pleases ranchers such as California cattle producer Kevin Kester, whose family had to pay $2 million over 10 years to the Internal Revenue Service after his grandfather died in 1993. <more> Aug. 21, 2009 Capital Press
   

• EPA to reclassify Central Valley for ozone air pollution - - The Central Valley would get under 2024 to clean up the ozone pollution of the air under a reclassification of the problem proposed Friday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA move is seen as “signing off on a formality,” by Seyed Sadredin, executive director of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. The air direct had made the request in 2007 to have the region’s ozone pollution classified as among the worst in the nation to gain time to find ways to lessen it to meet federal standards. Attainment of the cleaner air standards by 2013, the earlier deadline, was impossible, says Mr. Sadredin. But attainment by 2024 is also impossible since there is no known technology to do it, he says. <more> Aug. 21, 2009 Central Valley Business Times    
   

• Homes pollute: Linked to 50 percent more water pollution than previously believed - - They say there’s no place like home. But scientists are reporting some unsettling news about homes in the residential areas of California. The typical house there — and probably elsewhere in the country — is an alarming and probably underestimated source of water pollution, according to a new study reported today at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. In the study, Lorence Oki, Darren Haver and colleagues explain that runoff results from rainfall and watering of lawns and gardens, which winds up in municipal storm drains. The runoff washes fertilizers, pesticides and other contaminants into storm drains, and they eventually appear in rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. <more> Aug. 21, 2009 American Chemical Society   

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009

• America's Food Crisis and How to Fix It - - With the exhaustion of the soil, the impact of global warming and the inevitably rising price of oil — which will affect everything from fertilizer to supermarket electricity bills — our industrial style of food production will end sooner or later. As the developing world grows richer, hundreds of millions of people will want to shift to the same calorie-heavy, protein-rich diet that has made Americans so unhealthy — demand for meat and poultry worldwide is set to rise 25% by 2015 — but the earth can no longer deliver. Unless Americans radically rethink the way they grow and consume food, they face a future of eroded farmland, hollowed-out countryside, scarier germs, higher health costs — and bland taste. Sustainable food has an elitist reputation, but each of us depends on the soil, animals and plants — and as every farmer knows, if you don't take care of your land, it can't take care of you. <more> Aug. 20, 2009 Time Magazine
   

• Jennie-O Turkey Store profits up  - - Hormel, owner of Jennie-O Turkey Store, the second largest U.S. turkey producer, continues to benefit from consumers seeking greater value. According to a news release, the company's third quarter net income rose by 50% to $77.2 million, or 57 cents a share, while sales fell by 6.7% to $1.57 billion. Jennie-O Turkey Store operating profit was up 97%, while volume was down 2% and dollar sales down 5%. Lower feed costs helped to lift profits for the Minnesota-based company, which also saw strong demand for its grocery products such as Spam and Hormel chili.  Aug. 20, 2009 WattPoultry.com
   

• PETA’s newest target is the overweight- - Just when you thought PETA had offended nearly everyone, the animal-rights group has launched a new ad campaign trying to shame the overweight into turning vegetarian. PETA billboards in Jacksonville, Fla., include a cartoon depiction of an overweight woman, with the words “Save the Whales. Lose the blubber. Go vegetarian.” The campaign is gaining attention over the Internet this week, just as PETA intends, but most of the response has been negative. <more> Aug. 20, 2009 Dairy Herd Management
  
  
   

• Annual meeting will feature talk by former Assembly Speaker Brown --  CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: Alpharma; ASC/Agrecom; Elanco Animal Health; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Billington Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Fort Dodge Animal Health; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Pactiv Corporation; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys, Inc.; Bayer Animal Health; Diestel Turkey Ranch; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Jones-Hamilton Co. PLT/PWT/SAS; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.  

• Water Compromise Elusive in Calif. Debate Over 'Broken' Ecosystem -- The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta ecosystem is busted. That view prevails on all sides of a raging fight over the delta’s coveted water supply. Whether an environmentalist, commercial fisher, farmer, bureaucrat, academic or politician – all of whom were invited yesterday to a major hearing in the state Legislature – all seemed to agree that the delta had fallen apart. "Anyone who believes the status quo is working doesn't understand what's going on," said Lester Snow, director of the state Department of Water Resources. "The system is broken." "The delta has gone to hell in a handbasket," added Sen. Joe Simitian, Democrat from Palo Alto. <more> Aug. 20, 2009 NY Times
   

• LA Times Op-Ed: Water battle not as simple as people versus fish - - The "water buffaloes" like to frame their fight as farmers vs. fish. It is not. It's about farmers and fishermen. A California water buffalo is someone who instinctively battles to develop water -- so named, I'm told, after the beast that reputedly can smell water from 200 miles away. The fight isn't necessarily about "versus" either because farmers and fishermen often are in the same boat, dry-docked for lack of water. Up and down the San Joaquin Valley, farm fields have been fallowed and field hands can't find work because there isn't enough water to irrigate crops. <more> Aug. 20, 2009 LA Times
   

• Fresno Bee editorial: Water talks near stalemate - - We had hoped that the latest round of hearings on California's troubled water system would produce a comprehensive solution in the Legislature. But it appears that key Democratic lawmakers would rather talk about water than solve the problem. That's not good for San Joaquin Valley farmers, Southern California residents or those wanting more water for environmental uses. Today's water system is serving 38 million Californians, yet it was built for half that many. The Legislature is handling the water crisis like it handles the budget crisis. Do as little as possible and hope it will go away. It won't and that makes the problem even more difficult to resolve. <more> Aug. 20, 2009 Fresno Bee 
   

Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009

• Corn set for a bearish slide? - - USDA’s Aug. 12 corn crop production estimate is likely too low and forecasts for corn use and exports too high, which will add even more bearishness to corn once the information is digested by the market, according to Richard Feltes, an analyst with MF Global, speaking at a CME Group press briefing. USDA estimated crop production for corn at 12.8 billion bushels, while corn yields were forecast at 159.5 bushels per acre. For soybeans, USDA projected production at a record 3.2 billion bushels, and soybean yields were forecast at 41.7 bushels. Ending stocks for new crop corn were estimated at 1.6 billion bushels, and for soybeans, at 210 million bushels. <more> Aug. 19, 2009 Western Farm Press   
   

• Annual meeting will feature talk by former Assembly Speaker Brown --  CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: Alpharma; ASC/Agrecom; Elanco Animal Health; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Billington Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Fort Dodge Animal Health; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Pactiv Corporation; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys, Inc.; Bayer Animal Health; Diestel Turkey Ranch; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Jones-Hamilton Co. PLT/PWT/SAS; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.  
   

• Crackdown on workers' comp billing fraud is dealt a setback - - California's powerful insurance lobby has quietly scuttled an effort to combat fraudulent medical billing that drains hundreds of millions of dollars from the state's workers' compensation insurance system. At issue was a proposal aimed at preventing billing scams backed by a task force of public and private employers, including Los Angeles County and Walt Disney Co. It would have required insurers to send notices to injured workers to check whether they actually received all medical services billed. But insurers balked, complaining about the high cost of increased paperwork. They persuaded state Sen. Roderick Wright (D-Inglewood) to strip the plan from a bill he introduced in February, Wright's office confirmed. The proposal's setback frustrated employers seeking new tools to battle illegal traffic in medical records. <more> Aug. 19, 2009 LA Times  

• Calls for water God Squad intensify but face long odds - - A Valley congressman and a conservative legal group today pushed a long-shot bid for a special federal committee to overrule environmental protections and send more delta water to Valley farms. At a news conference on the Capitol steps, Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, and the Pacific Legal Foundation portrayed the so-called God Squad as the solution to water shortages that have fallowed fields and left farmworkers without jobs. The squad, formally known as the Endangered Species Committee, is a panel of top federal agency administrators that could conceivably overrule species protections and increase pumping from the delta. The pumping has been restricted to protect fish. <more> Aug. 19, 2009 Fresno Bee   

• Ag Secretary Vilsack to hold Modesto listening session Aug. 26 - - Rep. Dennis Cardoza announced Friday that USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack will visit Modesto Wednesday Aug. 26 for a luncheon listening session at the Stanislaus County Ag Center. The event will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Harvest Hall. Lunch is optional and seating will be limited. RSVP’s are requested to Cardoza’s Modesto office at (209) 527-1914 or email lisa.mantarro@mail.house.gov.  The lunch will cost $17.50 per person. “I have met numerous times with the Secretary over the past several months to discuss the many challenges facing Valley agriculture, as well as its important role in the U.S. economy,” said Cardoza.

Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009

• They're laying eggs at an Oakland restaurant - - When the chickens arrived, clucking and pecking, in the rush of Saturday dinner hour -- Witch, Bootsy and five layers to be named later -- they transformed Pizzaiolo restaurant into the latest outpost on food's frontier. Many urban eateries boast their own kitchen gardens, with mizuna and Mr. Stripey heirloom tomatoes sprouting on rooftops and busy street medians. Some farms even host top-flight dining rooms, where next season's prosciutto snuffles placidly nearby. But chef-owner Charlie Hallowell is nudging the local-food movement into new territory here in the freeway-adjacent gourmet ghetto of a city where Gallus gallus domesticus may be legally raised nearly anywhere. Except at restaurants. That, however, has not stopped Hallowell. Just off Pizzaiolo's back patio is a brand-new, custom-built chicken coop. Eggs laid there in the morning will top pizzas by nightfall. Diners will be able to wander over, Barolo in hand, to commune with the creatures that might contribute to their dinner. <more> Aug. 18, 2009 LA Times  
   

• Gov. demands water bond for dams - - The Legislature’s fight over water is evolving into a fight over money. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today said he will not approve a deal unless it includes a multibillion-dollar bond to pay for dams and other projects. His position, which repeats a pledge he’s made for three years, is at odds with the Democrats who control the Legislature, who are seeking policy changes first. The divide threatens to derail negotiations on legislation to shore up water supplies and fix the ailing Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Lawmakers began water hearings today and hope to finalize a deal before the legislative session ends on Sept. 11. <more> Aug. 18, 2009 Sacramento Bee  
   

• Connie Conway named vice chair of Assembly Appropriations Committee - - Assemblywoman Connie Conway has been named to a key post on one of the state Legislature's most powerful committees. Conway, of Tulare, was named vice chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which makes decisions on budget issues and deals with public bonds and alternative financing. Conway will be the ranking Republican on the 16-member committee, which has five other GOP members. "Assemblywoman Conway will play an important role for Assembly Republicans in our efforts to stop wasteful government spending," said Assembly Republican Leader Sam Blakeslee of San Luis Obispo. "She will be an effective advocate for Republicans as we work to make state government more efficient and effective for Californians." <more> Aug. 18, 2009 Visalia Times Delta
   

• Annual meeting will feature talk by former Assembly Speaker Brown --  CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: Alpharma; ASC/Agrecom; Elanco Animal Health; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Billington Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Pactiv Corporation; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys, Inc.; Bayer Animal Health; Diestel Turkey Ranch; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Jones-Hamilton Co. PLT/PWT/SAS; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.  
   

• Counties hold key to Williamson Act's future - - When Gov. Schwarzenegger blue-penciled all but $1,000 of state money to support the Williamson Act farmland conservation program last month, the veto created confusion among the thousands of farmers and ranchers in California who have enrolled their land under the law.  "While the provisions of the Williamson Act remain in effect, there is a great deal of concern among our members due to the uncertainty of what the counties might do in response," says John Gamper, California Farm Bureau Federation taxation and land use director. Under the law, landowners sign contracts with counties. The landowners agree to maintain their land in agricultural production for at least 10 years. The counties agree to tax the land based on its agricultural income, its acquisition value under Proposition 13 or its current market value, whichever is lower. <more> Aug. 18, 2009 Ag Alert   
  
   

• Modesto Bee editorial: Ag is backbone of our economy - - While things aren't looking quite so good for farmers in 2009 — especially in the dairy industry — no other sector of our economy is likely to come close to matching agriculture's nearly $2.5 billion value. The crop report lists only gross income to farmers. As with every other kind of business, farmers only make a profit if their income exceeds their costs, and the production costs related to agriculture — things like water, fuel, pest control and fertilizers — have mostly gone up. The 19-page crop report (www.stanag.org/ag)  is an accounting of income and acreage per commodity. The dollar figures are big — such as the $689 million in income for 2008 that makes dairy our top ag product. You might think that everyone knows that — maybe not all the details but at least the big picture. But most people need to have a better grasp of how ag operates and what it needs to survive. <more> Aug. 17, 2009 Modesto Bee
   

• Legislative hearings on state's water crisis begin -- Lawmakers say they are determined to start solving the state's water problems this week.  "I think we have to get something done on water, period. Expect major action," predicted Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter. But with only four weeks left in the legislative session, groups on all sides of the debate are skeptical that Democrats and Republicans can strike a deal to stabilize city and farm water supplies while reversing the environmental decline of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Informational hearings on legislation will start today and continue for two weeks. At that point, a special joint committee of the Senate and Assembly is scheduled to convene, leaving only two weeks for compromise. "We don't have a lot of time left," said Sen. Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto, a lead water negotiator. But he said he is confident that "if we don't get it done by the regular session, [Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger] will call a special session on water and keep after it." <more> Aug. 18, 2009 Fresno Bee    

Monday, Aug. 17, 2009

• Animal ag groups write White House on importance of antibiotics - - A coalition of 20 organizations related to animal agriculture sent a letter today to Melody Barnes, assistant to President Barack Obama for domestic policy, regarding the on-farm use of low-level antibiotics in livestock and poultry. The letter outlined the actions taken by our groups, both individually and collectively, to ensure these important, safe, effective Food & Drug Administration (FDA)-approved products are used judiciously, minimizing risk to human health. The letter said, "The bottom line for on-farm antibiotic use is this:  Farmers and ranchers strive daily to provide best possible management of their animals through superior genetics, nutrition, veterinary care, housing and handling. Optimal animal health and welfare leads to production of safe, affordable and abundant food, critical to U.S. food security. Maintaining the health of U.S. herds and flocks requires farmers and ranchers to have all approved safe and effective technologies, including animal health products, available to us." <more> Aug. 17, 2009 FeedStuffs.com    
   

• OSHA promises more inspections and enforcement - - Elections have consequences. The Obama administration’s secretary of labor, Hilda Solis, at her first public speaking engagement as labor secretary in March reportedly said, “The Labor Department is back in business. … Yes, I think you can rest assured that there is a new sheriff in town.”  Jordan Barab, acting assistant secretary of labor for OSHA, was quoted as having said, “He wanted to be absolutely clear that OSHA is back in the business of standards and enforcement.” What will this all mean for the poultry industry? <more> Aug. 17, 20-09 WatPoultry.com  
   

• Annual meeting will feature talk by former Assembly Speaker Brown --  CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: Alpharma; ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Billington Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys, Inc.; Bayer Animal Health; Diestel Turkey Ranch; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Jones-Hamilton Co. PLT/PWT/SAS; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.
   

• AVMA report to congress disputes Pew Commission study - - The nation’s largest veterinary association released to Congress a scientific response that disputes several of the findings and recommendations made in a report released last year by the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production. In a letter sent with the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) response to members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, Dr. Ron DeHaven, CEO of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), expressed concerns about the Pew Commission’s report and urged members to vote against H.R. 1549 and S. 619, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA) as they are written. The Pew Commission’s findings and recommendations are being used to advocate for PAMTA. <more> Aug. 17, 2009 Dairy Herd Management   
   

• Poultry Science Assn. names new officers at annual conference  - – The Poultry Science Association (PSA) held its 98th Annual Meeting on July 20 – 23 in Raleigh, NC.  Hosted by North Carolina State University, the four-day meeting was the setting for several major symposia, the presentation and discussion of hundreds of scientific papers, and the announcement of more than 20 research and industry-related awards.  PSA also announced its new slate of officers and directors for the upcoming 12 months. A total of 776 people attended this year’s annual meeting – an increase of almost 7% from PSA’s 2008 Centennial Meeting in Niagara Falls.  Excluding staff members and several students attending only one of the symposia, the attendees hailed from 40 states (including the District of Columbia) and 34 countries, with international participants accounting for 27% of the total. Attendees had the opportunity to attend five key symposia, select to hear any of 241 oral presentations and view 211 poster exhibitions on basic and applied research on poultry-related topics. <more> Aug. 17, 2009 PSA Press Release
   

• EPA showing bias against ethanol? - - Is the Environmental Protection Agency deliberately trying to “stack the deck” against ethanol and other biofuels? That’s the question being raised after the agency released the peer review it had said it would conduct on the computer models used to calculate the impact of indirect land use change in its Renewable Fuel Standard-2 proposed rule. “We are pleased that this independent peer review has affirmed EPA’s approach (to greenhouse gas emission rulemaking) to be fair, credible and grounded in science,” an EPA spokesman said in response to a query from reporters following the peer review’s release. But the Renewable Fuels Association, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., and other groups such as the National Corn Growers Association blasted the 135-page document, charging EPA “stacked the deck” by naming a group of anti-ethanol advocates to the scientific panel that was asked to review the indirect land use change models. <more> Aug. 17, 2009 Western Farm Press
   

•  It's Fish Versus Farmers in the San Joaquin Valley - - By Rep. Devin Nunes - - In 1931, a severe drought began that within a few years engulfed the Oklahoma panhandle and a third of the Great Plains in a "Dust Bowl." Tens of thousands of people fled the region—many traveling to California along Route 66, which John Steinbeck called "the mother road, the road of flight" in "The Grapes of Wrath." A lot of the "Okies" settled in the San Joaquin Valley. In the decades that followed, state and federal officials built dams and other irrigation projects that helped turn the valley into some of the world's richest farmland. But today the San Joaquin Valley is being transformed into a dust bowl. Hundreds of thousands of acres are fallow, while almond and plum trees are being left to die in the scorching sun. Tens of thousands of people have been tossed out of work—the town of Mendota alone has an unemployment rate of about 40%—and the lines for food donations stretch down streets. The reason? There isn't enough water to go around this year, and the Obama administration is drawing up new reasons to divert more of it from farms and people and into the San Francisco Bay. <more> Aug. 17, 2009 Wall Street Journal
   

• Farm usage of high-speed internet is increasing - - Farm usage of high-speed internet is increasing. According to the latest farm computer usage data from USDA, 36 percent of U.S. farms used DSL to access the internet in 2009.  That’s up 12 percent from 2007.  Satellite and wireless usage both came in at 13 percent, with cable at 11 percent.  At the same time, dialup access dropped from 47 percent in ‘07 to 23 percent in ‘09. Fifty-nine percent of U.S. farms now have internet access, compared with 57 percent in 2007. Sixty-four percent of farms have access to a computer in 2009, the same level as 2007. <more> Aug. 17, 2009 Dairy Herd Management

Friday, Aug. 14, 2009

• Judge in Oklahoma: Poultry litter is solid waste -- A federal judge ruled Friday that poultry litter could be classified as a solid waste under federal environmental laws when applied in excessive amounts on farmland. The decision was a partial victory for the state of Oklahoma in its environmental lawsuit against 12 Arkansas poultry companies. Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson claims excessive application of chicken waste has resulted in runoff polluting the Illinois River watershed. The case has drawn national attention because it could lead to similar lawsuits across the country challenging how the industry does business. A trial is set for Sept. 21. <more> Aug. 14, 2009 AP
   

• Near record corn crop projected - - More than 12.76 billion bushels of corn are expected to be harvested this year, a near record crop with yields also approaching the previous record, according to USDA’s “Crop Production” and “World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates” reports this week. If the harvest proves to be 12.76 billion bushels, the crop would be 5.5 percent above the 12.10 billion bushels in 2008 and only 2.1 percent under the record harvest of 13.04 billion bushels in 2007.  This year’s corn yields are now estimated at 159.5 bushels per acre, up 6.1 bushels from USDA’s July estimate and less than a bushel under the 160.4 bushels per acre in 2004, the record yield. USDA left its harvest corn acreage estimate unchanged from last month’s 80.1 million acres. Last year’s comparable corn acreage was 78.6 million acres, and in 2007, it was 86.5 million acres. Corn for ethanol usage for 2009-10 was increased 100 million bushels from the July estimate to 4.20 billion bushels or 32.9 percent of expected corn production this year. With the greater abundance of corn likely, the board reduced its projected farm corn price for 2009-10 to $3.10-$3.90 per bushel, 25 cents less on both ends of last month’s range of $3.35-$4.15. The comparable corn price for 2008-09 is estimated at about $4.05 and in 2007-08 the price was $4.20 per bushel. Aug. 14, 2009 USDA Outlook
   

• Annual meeting will feature talk by former Assembly Speaker Brown --  CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Billington Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Bayer Animal Health; Diestel Turkey Ranch; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.  
   

• California workers’ comp rates may jump - - California’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s (WCIRB) wants to increase the Workers Compensation Cost Claims Benchmark by 22.8 percent, impacting the insurance premiums paid by businesses statewide. But the state Department of Insurance may oppose the increase. “Last month, I rejected WCIRB's request to increase the Cost Claims Benchmark, in part because I found that insurers were inefficient and were not fully using available tools to control costs,” says Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. <more> Aug. 13, 2009 Central Valley Business Times
   

• Brown leads Newsom, 29-20 in new poll but gap narrowing - - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is gaining ground on State attorney general Jerry Brown in the 2010 California governor's race, according to a new poll from non-partisan Research 2000 which calls the Democratic contest "anyone's game.''  The poll commissioned by the Daily Kos showed that Brown leads Newsom by just 9 points, 29-20 -- a gap that has been cut in half since a J. Moore Methods poll in late June showed Brown with a 20 point lead over the San Francisco mayor. The poll of 600 likely state voters was taken Aug. 9-12, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. The Kos analysis: "There's a bit of a gender gap, with Jerry Brown leading Gavin Newsom among women 32-16.' <more> Aug. 14, 2009 SF Chronicle
   

• Frank Fat’s: An iconic eatery celebrates its 70th birthday - - It’s not often that a restaurant celebrates its 70th anniversary. It’s even more uncommon when that restaurant happens to be a political landmark. But on Sept. 9, the city’s oldest eatery, Frank Fat’s, will be looking back on seven decades as the toast of the state political world. A short walk from the Capitol, Fat’s established itself from the beginning in 1939 as a place where politicians could meet with colleagues and discuss business, as well as enjoy a bite to eat and have a nice conversation. Frank Fat was known for a simple mantra: “You give people good food, a nice place to eat it in and make them happy. Pretty simple, really.”  Many associate Fat’s with its delectable dishes that include a killer banana-cream pie. But some may know that Fat’s was the California equivalent to French coffee-houses during the revolution. During its hey-day it was known as the states’ “Third House,” where deals were forged on the tables of Fat’s by politicians and lobbyists alike. Its diners have included governors, U. S. senators and representatives along with lobbyists, state stakeholders and legislators from both sides of the aisle. <more> Aug. 14, 2009 Capitol Weekly  
   

• Plotting the path of renewable power lines - - A new state report tries to tackle one of the touchiest issues in California's effort to expand renewable power, suggesting possible routes for new transmission lines to carry electricity from wind farms and solar plants. Power lines often generate intense opposition from environmentalists and landowners. But without new lines, the solar power plants and wind farms planned throughout California won't be able to ship their electricity to the towns and cities that need it. So several state agencies, electrical utilities, renewable power developers and environmental groups have joined together to figure out where to put new lines, hoping to prevent public fights. The effort, called the Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative, released its latest report this week. The report examines where transmission lines are needed most, will cost the least and will cause the least harm to the environment. It doesn't recommend exact routes, nor does it specify how many lines must be built. <more> Aug. 14, 2009 SF Chronicle

   

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009

• Annual meeting will feature talk by former Assembly Speaker Brown --  CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Billington Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Bayer Animal Health; Diestel Turkey Ranch; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.  
   

• Workers' comp bureau seeks 22.8% rate hike - - Get ready for another round of workers' compensation insurance premium increases next January. An influential group controlled by the insurance industry Wednesday recommended a 22.8 percent rate increase. The Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California, in arguing for the higher rates, said rising medical costs are largely the reason. The findings are advisory but generally set the pattern for the industry. Insurers raised rates nearly 10 percent on average in July after the bureau called for a 23.7 percent increase. Rates generally are set twice a year, in January and July.  <more> Aug. 13, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• California workers’ comp rates may jump - - California’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s (WCIRB) wants to increase the Workers Compensation Cost Claims Benchmark by 22.8 percent, impacting the insurance premiums paid by businesses statewide. But the state Department of Insurance may oppose the increase. “Last month, I rejected WCIRB's request to increase the Cost Claims Benchmark, in part because I found that insurers were inefficient and were not fully using available tools to control costs,” says Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. <more> Aug. 13, 2009 Central Valley Business Times
   

• Fixing the Delta: How Will We Pay for It? - - This report by the Public Policy Institute examines the question of how to pay for urgently needed investments in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. For years, stakeholders have been at odds over beneficiary financing (charging those who use the water). But recent federal intervention to save endangered fish species and the decline of state and federal funding sources may finally break the impasse. This report situates the beneficiary payment debate in historical, legal, and political context. It also explores how this kind of financing might work for several “big ticket” items: water conveyance facilities, storage reservoirs, environmental mitigation, and levee improvements. <more> Aug. 13, 2099 Pacific Policy Institute
   

• Feds seek solutions in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta - - The federal government is saying it's ready to be a team player again to solve water and environmental problems in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the hub of California's water system. But the ballpark may have become a battlefield. The Schwarzenegger administration has vowed to start building a Delta canal by 2011, even though a new joint state-federal program called the Bay Delta Conservation Plan is still debating its merits. The Obama administration hasn't taken a position on the canal. "In all candor, it is really premature to be getting behind something like that," Hayes said. "We could find out that solution is not any better than the status quo." A veteran of prior California water battles as a member of the Clinton administration, Hayes said he's been "stunned" by the antagonism over water now. But he thinks a partnership is still possible. <more> Aug. 13, 2009 Sacramento Bee  
   

• Ag Vision document will guide lawmakers toward food production in 2030 - - - - California's Agricultural Vision process has entered the home stretch on creating a two-decade strategic plan for food production. The goal of Ag Vision, an effort sparked by agriculture secretary A.G. Kawamura, is to create an advisory document that would guide development of public policy and industry practice with an eye to environmental sustainability and public health. "The goal of this is a living document," said Karen Ross, who helps direct the process as a member of the State Board of Food and Agriculture. <more> Aug. 13, 2009 Capital Press
   

• Food Firms Fret Over Potential Impact of Climate Bill - - Some of the nation's biggest food and agriculture companies are planning to release a flurry of studies in coming weeks that scrutinize the potential impact of climate-change legislation, warning that it could lead to higher food prices. A group of agriculture giants including Cargill Inc., along with meat company Tyson Foods Inc. and food maker General Mills Inc., is concerned the companies might bear a disproportionate share of the costs of such legislation, according to a memo reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. The group also is worried that a House bill passed in July doesn't provide sufficient incentives for food and agricultural companies to receive and generate carbon credits to offset their carbon emissions. <more> Aug. 13, 2009 Wall Street Journal

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009

• Aug. 12 deadline for CPF special room rates -- The deadline to get the special room rates for the CPF's annual conference is Wednesday, Aug. 12. The special rates are $209 for a deluxe room and $245 for a fireplace suite. After that date, hotel rooms will only be available, as space permits, and special group rates may not apply. Contact the CPF at (209) 576-6355 to make your hotel reservation.
   CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Billington Welding & Manufacturing, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Bayer Animal Health; Diestel Turkey Ranch; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.  
   

• United Egg Producers say new regulations to cost $81 million -- New federal legislation designed to reduce the risk of salmonella in eggs will cost the industry $81 million, the United Egg producers trade group estimates. Several salmonella scares in recent years linked to other foods, such as peppers, tomatoes, cookie dough and peanut products have caused increased government scrutiny. The new guidelines require egg producers to regularly test eggs for salmonella and buy egg-producing chicks from sellers who also test for salmonella and other diseases. Jackson-based Cal-Maine Foods is the nation's largest egg producer and distributor. "We'll have to increase the amount of testing that we do, but it's not a material cost to the company," said Tim Dawson, Cal-Maine chief financial officer.<more> Aug. 12, 2009 AP 
   

• Capital Press editorial: Egg producers need real standards  - - California Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, has put a hold on a bill that would require out-of-state producers who sell their eggs in California to meet the animal care standards mandated by Proposition 2.  Assemblyman Huffman said he wants to wait until producers and animal rights advocates agree on a caging system. But those advocates don't want a caging system. Huffman should press on, despite the objections of HSUS and its allies. Let's see if the experts at the University of California can design a cage that fits the bill. Then egg producers across the West can decide whether it's economically viable, and HSUS can mount its inevitable legal challenge. At any rate, the process will have been advanced toward an end that will benefit producers. <more> Aug. 12, 2009 Capital Press   
   

• Pacific Ethanol posts bigger loss -- Pacific Ethanol Inc., a California-based company that shuttered its Burley, Idaho, facility earlier this year, said its second-quarter loss more than tripled on slowing sales and struggles to restructure its debt.  Pacific said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing its loss in the three months ended June 30 widened to $27.4 million, from $8.3 million in 2008. Sales at the Sacramento-based company plummeted by nearly two-thirds to just $70 million, from $197 million. <more> Aug 12, 2009 AP
   

• Lobbyist talks Williamson Act - - Following Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's elimination of funding for the Williamson Act, a Sacramento lobbyist is spurring dialogue on how the popular farmland-conservation program might be restructured. Bill Geyer is a political consultant who runs the Resource Landowners Coalition, an interest group of farmers, ranchers and water agencies. "I think what we are imagining is a fairly broad review of even the basic assumptions that we started out with, and the way the whole program operates," Geyer said. "It could wind up that we could have an equitable subvention program that serves the state's interest at half the cost of the present program."  <more> Aug. 12, 2009 Capital Press
   

• Obama urged to see water-starved Valley  - - Community activists and Valley politicians are stepping up their efforts to bring national attention to the area's water shortage -- pleading Tuesday for President Barack Obama to visit the drought-plagued farmlands. Members of the California Latino Water Coalition, several local mayors and two Valley congressmen -- Reps. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, and Jim Costa, D-Fresno -- gathered Tuesday on an outdoor basketball court in Mendota to announce the invitation. The backdrop: A food line. Nearly 500 people also were in Rojas-Pierce Park to receive donated food. Among them was Mendota resident Maria Zermeno, who had her own request for Obama: "Please help us get back to work."  Members of the coalition have sent a letter signed by 50 Central Valley mayors asking the president to visit the area and help find a solution to its water shortages. <more> Aug. 12, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• National Attention to the Valley's Water Crisis- - - - People all across America learned about the valley's water crisis on Tuesday. The west Fresno County town of Huron served as the backdrop for a segment on the "Sean Hannity" show.  To view the seven-minute segment, please click here. California Highway Patrol estimates nearly 25 hundred people came to an almond orchard with the hopes of bringing national attention to the valley's thirst for water. The voice of FOX New's Sean Hannity energized this crowd of thousands who say seeing the affects of parched land is hard to believe.  Among continuous rows of dead almond trees the voice of comedian Paul Rodriguez spoke about the issue most important to valley farmers. <more> Aug. 12, 2009 KFSN-TV Fresno

Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009

• Aug. 12 deadline for CPF special room rates -- The deadline to get the special room rates for the CPF's annual conference is Wednesday, Aug. 12. The special rates are $209 for a deluxe room and $245 for a fireplace suite. After that date, hotel rooms will only be available, as space permits, and special group rates may not apply. Contact the CPF at (209) 576-6355 to make your hotel reservation.
   CPF’s annual meeting is Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Cobb-Vantress, Inc.; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Evonik Degussa; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Merial Select, Inc.; Novus International, Inc.; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Aviagen Inc.; Bayer Animal Health; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.  
   

• Climate bill may fall by the wayside - - With the fight over health care reform absorbing all the bandwidth on Capitol Hill, Democrats fear a major climate change bill may be left on the cutting-room floor this year.  A handful of key senators on climate change are almost guaranteed to be tied up well into the fall on health care. Democrats from the Midwest and the South are resistant to a cap-and-trade proposal. And few if any Republicans are jumping in to help push a global warming and energy initiative.  As a result, many Democrats fear the lack of political will and the congressional calendar will conspire to punt climate change into next year. <more> Aug. 11, 2009 Politico.com   
   

• Emergency H1N1 plan developed by APHIS - - USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-APHIS-has developed a plan for dealing with a positive diagnosis of the Type A H1N1 virus in a U.S. swine herd. Agency officials are holding a series of meetings with government agencies, state animal health and public health officials, and pork industry associations to share the plan and recommendations.  APHIS has also shared the information with the Agricultural Research Service, the Food Safety Inspection Service and the Centers for Disease Control.   <more> Aug. 11, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• White House Objects to Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Poster That Invokes Obama Children - - The posters went up last week, 14 in Union Station. On each of the large displays, a thought bubble rises up from a picture of a beautiful 8-year-old: "President Obama's daughters get healthy school lunches. Why don't I?"  A Washington nonprofit that advocates nutrition-policy reform paid $20,000 to get its message across and carefully maneuvered Metro's tangle of regulations to display its posters. Metro gave it a go -- but the White House did not, according to the group. Within 24 hours of the signs' appearance, the White House asked the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to take down the ads, which feature Jasmine Messiah, a vegetarian who attends a Miami-Dade County public school that, she says, offers no vegetarian or vegan lunch options. The Physicians Committee has declined to take down the posters. <more> Aug. 11, 2009 Washington Post  
   

• Water officials to discuss drought - - President Barack Obama's point man on the California water crisis will meet with state officials Wednesday, and Delta advocates are urging the public to attend. U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior David J. Hayes will meet with Lester Snow, director of the California Department of Water Resources, at 1 p.m. at the Capitol Plaza Holiday Inn, 300 J. St. in downtown Sacramento. The meeting, which is open to the public, will focus on the Delta and California's water challenges, state officials said in a news release.  <more>  Aug. 11, 2009 Stockton Record    
   

• Report: California has enough water, if it’s used wisely - - A new report Tuesday argues that California has enough water supply right now to avoid drought-like conditions, if it were properly managed. “California has already developed enough water supplies to satisfy our needs into the foreseeable future by utilizing existing infrastructure and existing cost effective technologies,” says the report by a group calling itself the Environmental Water Caucus. “Water efficient technologies and approaches … can save or reduce water consumption in urban areas by as much as 5 million acre feet a year by 2030 compared with current trends – enough water to support a population growth of 29,000,000 people,” the report says. That would be more than current population projections for the next 40 years. <more> Aug. 11, 2009 Central Valley Business Times

Monday, Aug. 10, 2009

• CPF annual meeting registration underway -- Registration is underway for the CPF’s annual meeting Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. First out of the gate to register was Terry Winfrey of Lehar Sales. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Novus International, Inc.; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.  
   

• Water crisis getting national coverage Tuesday - - The plight of Westside farmers will get national network television time on Fox News in the coming week. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sean Hannity is expected to do a live interview with Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia, comedian Paul Rodriguez and possibly some local growers in an abandoned almond orchard near Huron. Hannity will remain in Fox’s New York studios and will conduct the interview by satellite. The segment will air live on Fox News on the Sean Hannity Show beginning at 6 p.m., according to Sarah Woolf, spokeswoman for Westlands Water District. Aug.10, 2009 Hanford Sentinel
   

• Summer grilling tips featured in NTF video - - - – Summer is sizzling and so is the grill with a new healthy and easy recipe from National Turkey Federation (NTF).  NTF’s how-to turkey cooking video on www.eatturkey.com features Gena Knox, co-founder of Fire & Flavor, who dishes up Herb Marinated Grilled Turkey with Panzanella Salad.  “The herb marinated grilled turkey is a simple dish that uses all fresh seasonal ingredients,” said Knox.  “I’ve found that by sticking with fresh ingredients and great seasonings, you can trim things down a bit and still be blown away by the incredible rich tastes.” In the video, Knox whisks up an easy marinade with garlic, lemon and fresh herbs, such as parsley, thyme and rosemary, which is then poured over turkey cutlets.  After marinating for at least 15 minutes, the cutlets are then grilled to perfection.  Knox’s mission of providing quality, simplicity and great taste is apparent in this grilled turkey.  Her passion for Southern cooking is also noticeable in the video as she layers the turkey cutlets with a Panzanella Salad that is traditionally an Italian dish.  Cubed Ciabatta bread is toasted and tossed with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and topped with turkey bacon.    “Knox prepares and presents a delectable meal combination that highlights the versatility of turkey,” said Sherrie Rosenblatt, NTF’s vice president of marketing and communications.  “At-home chefs can take advantage of this easy recipe, while providing their friends and family with a tasteful summer dish.” NTF’s turkey cooking video is available at http://www.eatturkey.com/consumer/cooking-videos-2.html.  Aug. 10, 2009 NTF Press Release  
   

• Video looks at rise in backyard chicken farming - - Mad City Chickens tells the story of how more and more city dwellers are choosing to reject industrial farming by keeping birds in their backyards. Experts and authors, a rescued landfill chicken, an inexperienced family that takes the poultry plunge, and a mad scientist and giant hen are all featured in the film. To view the trailer, please click here.  Aug. 10, 2009 YouTube   
   

• Antitrust Enforcers Begin Visiting Farm Belt - - The Obama administration will take an extensive look at concentration in U.S. agriculture as part of its increased emphasis on antitrust enforcement, a Justice Department official said Friday. Philip J. Weiser, a telecommunications-law expert who was recently named deputy assistant attorney general, told a farmer gathering here that federal antitrust regulators are "committed to examining" the level of competition in several agribusiness sectors, such as the marketing of genetically modified seed, dairy processing and meatpacking. Washington has often sympathized with farmers who find themselves selling their commodities to fewer and larger processors. But the Obama administration is taking a further step, with plans for a nationwide series of sessions next year for the U.S. Agriculture Department to hear competitive concerns of farmers. <more> Aug. 10, 2009 Wall Street Journal
   

• Agritourism is largely untapped way to make extra money - - A recent University of California survey found that visitor education is one of the most common reasons - second only to increasing profits - farmers and ranchers decide to include agritourism in their operations. UC researchers estimate California ranchers and farmers hosted 2.4 million visitors in 2008, based on the survey results. That was based on responses from 554 farm operators, including 332 who currently had agritourism businesses.  Most of those welcoming visitors reported some profits from the agritourism ventures; 22 percent reported $100,000 or more in agritourism sales last year. A great majority, nearly 64 percent, said they planned to expand or diversify agritourism products and services within the next five years. Also, more than one in three - 37 percent - said they would invest more money in the operation. <more> Aug. 10, 2009 Stockton Record
   

• Preparing for Swine Flu's Return - - As the first influenza pandemic in 41 years has spread during the Southern Hemisphere's winter over the past few months, the United States and other northern countries have been racing to prepare for a second wave of swine flu virus. At the same time, international health authorities have become increasingly alarmed about the new virus's arrival in the poorest, least-prepared parts of the world. While flu viruses are notoriously capricious, making any firm predictions impossible, a new round could hit the Northern Hemisphere within weeks and lead to major disruptions in schools, workplaces and hospitals, according to U.S. and international health officials. <more> Aug. 10, 2009 Washington Post  

Friday, Aug. 7, 2009

• CPF annual meeting registration underway -- Registration is underway for the CPF’s annual meeting Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. First out of the gate to register was Terry Winfrey of Lehar Sales. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Novus International, Inc.; Phibro Animal Health; Pitman Farms; Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.; Veterinary Service Inc.
  Silver Club: American AgCredit; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; J.S. West Milling Co.; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; RAH Consulting Services Inc.; Tipper Tie Inc.; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.   
   

• EPA peer review draws fire - - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the results of their Renewable Fuels Standard Lifecycle Analysis on Friday. The review is part of the process in making proposed changes to the Renewable Fuels Standard referred to as RFS2. An independent third-party contractor was hired to assess the RFS2 in four areas including land use models and greenhouse gas emissions from foreign crop production. As far as land use models, the peer groups found the EPA approach, “Was scientifically justifiable, especially given existing data and technology constraints.” They did note some problems with the satellite imagery being used. The review of emissions from foreign crop production found “the methodologies used (for fertilizer and pesticides; N2O emissions; agricultural energy use; and CH4 emissions from rice) to be generally acceptable and a “good first approximation” of changes in GHG emissions, with “exceptions that can be easily upgraded.” <more> Aug. 7, 2009 Brownfield Ag News  
   

• The ‘farm bloc’ reborn - - By Steve Kopperud - - Climate change barely squeaked through the House even at the lightning speed with which it moved, and is now seriously bogged down in the Senate. The House victory was a gift handed to Obama acolytes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D, CA) and House Energy & Commerce Committee Chair Henry Waxman (D, CA) by Rep. Collin Peterson (D, MN), the chair of the House Ag Committee. Peterson, a good, solid Minnesota DFLer,  is the man who at the 11th hour threatened not only to hold the bill hostage, but to kill it outright if had to.  Why? Peterson was being true to his school. He honestly believed the original bill would wreak disproportionate havoc on farms and ranches, translating into economic suffering in rural America, fundamentally creating more problems than it solved.  The real surprise to Pelosi and Waxman was Peterson had enough Democrat allies to make good on his threat. In the Senate, about a dozen members, a bipartisan gaggle and mostly from midwestern and southern states - “fly-over states” to the folks on the coasts - are following the Peterson battle plan. They’re signaling Sen. Barbara Boxer (D, CA), chair of the Environment & Public Works Committee and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D, NV) that no climate change bill will move without agriculture and rural America getting their due. This intransigence translates into the Senate schedule on climate change/cap-and-trade slipping by more than a month - so far. <more> Aug. 7, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• California Blue Dogs break with caucus over health care - - If you’re following the national debate over revamping the nation’s health care system, it’s hard not to notice California representatives at every turn. Californians chair many of the key committees and subcommittees that HR 3200 needs to navigate.  Golden State legislators also are key players in the major group that has been standing in the way of President Barrack Obama’s health care plan, the group of 52 conservative Democrats known as the Blue Dogs. California has seven Blue Dogs, the most of any state. But when it came to the health care debate, five of the seven declined to sign on to a May letter from the Blue Dog Caucus to the Obama administration opposing key aspects of the health care plan. That same five did sign on to a pledge from the group Healthcare for America Now that states, “Our government’s responsibility is to guarantee quality affordable health care for everyone in America.” It also demands that a “public option” remain part of the plan, a goal that many blue dogs have opposed.  <more> Aug. 6, 2009 Capitol Weekly
   

• Immigration Effort Draws GOP Backer - - Senate Democrats have found a Republican in Sen. Lindsey Graham to help them push for passage of a comprehensive immigration overhaul this year. But the lag in getting prominent support from a Republican -- more than two months after Democrats first announced their push -- shows how complicated prospects for passage could be this year, as immigration remains a wedge inside an increasingly divided GOP. Democrats and Republicans say Mr. Graham of South Carolina is working behind the scenes with Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.) to gain support from other GOP members. Mr. Schumer is quarterbacking this year's campaign for an overhaul. <more> Aug. 7, 2009 Wall Street Journal
   

• Water plan in print, draws immediate fire - - The first outline of a plan to overhaul California’s water system includes a dramatic boost in conservation, an expansion of water officials’ authority, a fee-based financing scheme and the potential for major new water projects that include canals through or around the delta east of San Francisco.  The package of five bills, all authored by Democrats, are scheduled to go before a joint Senate-Assembly policy committee for information hearings beginning Aug. 18. But the actual legislation is likely to be drawn up by a two-house conference committee. The Senate membership of that committee has yet to be determined.  The Capitol has been marked by political disputes over water for generations, with partisans often divided geographically as the north vs. the south, and philosophically between environmentalists and water district officials. But those traditional lines have been blurred in recent years, in part because the Schwarzenegger administration supports options that include major capital construction projects.  <more> Aug. 6, 2009 Capitol Weekly

Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009

• China bans U.S. meat from 3 pork, 2 poultry plants - - China this week banned imports of meat from three U.S. pork plants and two poultry plants, but no reason was given, according to a U.S. Agriculture Department document. As of Aug. 3, China is not accepting meat from the Smithfield Foods' pork plant at Tar Heel, North Carolina; the John Morrell & Co pork plant at Sioux City, Iowa; the Seaboard Foods pork plant at Guymon, Oklahoma; the Equity Group-KY Division poultry plant at Albany, Kentucky; and the Mountaire Farms poultry plant at Selbyville, Delaware. John Morrell & Co is a unit of Smithfield Foods. Aug. 6, 2009 Reuters
   

• Avian flu found in Minnesota turkeys - - An unidentified commercial turkey flock in central Minnesota has been quarantined by the Board of Animal Health after routine testing discovered a strain of the avian flu virus, labeled H7N9, according to an Associated Press news report. Minnesota Board of Animal Health Assistant Director Dale Lauer stressed that the avian flu strain found at the Meeker County farm was different from the strain that has caused problems in birds and humans mostly in Asia. <more> Aug. 6, 2009 WattPoultry.com  
   

• CPF annual meeting registration underway -- Registration is underway for the CPF’s annual meeting Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. First out of the gate to register was Terry Winfrey of Lehar Sales. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Cumberland/Hired-Hand; Darling International Inc.; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Novus International, Inc.; Phibro Animal Health; Veterinary Service Inc.
  Silver Club: Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Lubing Systems LP; Tipper Tie Inc.; Walco International, Inc.; Woodland Farms.
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.   
   

• Line-item vetoes illegal, say lawyers for lawmakers - - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger exceeded his constitutional powers by imposing nearly $500 million in additional spending cuts last week to balance California's budget, according to an opinion Wednesday by the Legislature's legal counsel. Schwarzenegger drew fire from Democrats after he used his line-item veto authority to slice spending to health, welfare and other programs, going beyond the cuts that were part of a budget deal he struck just days earlier with legislative leaders. A spokesman for the governor said Schwarzenegger acted properly and continues to stand by the decision to make those additional cuts to bring the budget fully into balance and provide a rainy-day reserve. <more> Aug. 6, 2009 LA Times
   

• Ag competition issues to be explored at USDA-Justice Department workshops - - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the USDA and the Department of Justice will hold joint public workshops to explore competition issues affecting the agriculture industry in the 21st century and the appropriate role for antitrust and regulatory enforcement in that industry. These are the first joint USDA/Department of Justice workshops ever to be held to discuss competition and regulatory issues in the agriculture industry. The joint USDA/Department of Justice workshops will address the dynamics of competition in agriculture markets including, among other issues, buyer power (also known as monopsony) and vertical integration. They will examine legal doctrines and jurisprudence and current economic learning, and will provide an opportunity for farmers, ranchers, consumer groups, processors, the agribusinesses, and other interested parties to provide examples of potentially anticompetitive conduct. The workshops will also provide an opportunity for discussion for any concerns about the application of the antitrust laws to the agricultural industry. <more> Aug. 6, 2009 USDA Press Release
   

• Tons of beef from Fresno plant recalled - - Thousands of tons of ground beef packed this summer at a Fresno meat plant are being recalled in four states because of an outbreak of a drug-resistant salmonella strain in Colorado. The recall, announced today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, focuses on more than 825,000 pounds of ground beef processed at Beef Packers Inc. in June. The meat was shipped to retailers in California, Colorado, Utah and Arizona in June. The USDA classified the recall as Class 1, or a high health risk. State health officials in Colorado report that 21 people were sickened last month by a strain of Salmonella called Newport that has been traced to ground beef originally shipped from the Fresno plant. <more> Aug. 6, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• Clinton says farm investment top US priority - - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Wednesday for a new approach to food aid, saying one that aims to boost agriculture is a key part of the new US administration's foreign policy. In Nairobi at the start of an African tour, Clinton toured a farm institute where she heard of efforts to increase crop yields, improve the role of women and develop seeds that can withstand the continent's droughts. Clinton highlighted a 20 billion-dollar plan spearheaded last month by President Barack Obama under which the United States and 30 other countries will help small farmers grow more food. <more> Aug. 6, 2009 AFP   

Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009

• CPF annual meeting registration underway -- Registration is underway for the CPF’s annual meeting Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. First out of the gate to register was Terry Winfrey of Lehar Sales. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Alltech; Darling International Inc.; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Novus International, Inc.; Phibro Animal Health; Veterinary Service Inc.
  Silver Club: Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Walco International, Inc.  
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.   
   

• Report calls for detailing additives in enhanced meat - - Manufacturers of enhanced meat products should specify levels of potassium and phosphates the meat carries, according to a report published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Over consumption of potassium may cause irregular heartbeats or even heart attacks in dialysis patients while phosphorus could interfere with calcium absorption and heart function, the report said. These findings were published after researchers analyzed the potassium and phosphate content present in 36 uncooked meat and poultry products — both enhanced and natural — bought from different retailers. Eight out of 25 enhanced products reportedly did not list the additives on the food label. Enhanced meat has been a growing source of these minerals since a 1982 ruling regarding the additives from the Food Safety Inspection Service, according to the researchers. Aug. 5, 2009 WattPoultry.com
   

• SF legislator promises ag support - - Assemblywoman Fiona Ma got a good look — and taste — of Tehama County agriculture on Monday. Ma (D-San Francisco) and her Capitol director, Nick Hardeman, arrived in Corning at 8 a.m. and was escorted by Tehama County Supervisor Bob Williams on a day-long tour of the county and its agricultural diversity. "I was sitting by Bob (Williams) at a dinner in Sacramento and was telling him about my goal to visit each county in the state and learn firsthand about its agriculture. He invited me to come to Tehama County and here I am," said Ma, a member of the Assembly Agriculture Committee. At the close of the tour, which ended where it began at Corning's Transportation Center, Ma said the importance of water to the agriculture industry was the most critical information she would be taking back to her committee. <more> Aug. 5, 2009 Corning Observer
   

• Lawmakers prepare to bring water to a boil – again - - Another in a string of proposed legislative fixes to California's broken water delivery system was unveiled today, drawing immediate criticism from a coalition of environmental and fishing interests. The proposals from Democrats include creating an appointed oversight commission with unprecedented authority over water issues in the fragile Sacramento Delta.  One piece would authorize unspecified fees from those who draw water out of the delta to help pay for various programs. Other provisions in the measures include mandatory conservation of 20 percent for cities and incentives for urban and agriculture to conserve, specifically giving those saving water priority for existing grants. <more> Aug. 5, 2009 San Diego Union   
   

• State prepares for climate change  - - Along with California's efforts to crack down on its own greenhouse gas emissions, state officials have begun preparing for the worst: heat waves, a rising sea level, flooding, wildlife die-offs and other expected consequences from what scientists predict will be a dramatic temperature increase by the end of this century. California's Natural Resources Agency on Monday issued the nation's first statewide plan to "adapt" to climate change. It offers strategies to cope with threats in seven sectors from firefighting to public health and water conservation. Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman called the plan an effort to acknowledge the problem and suggested that Californians "recognize their role in solving that problem and alter their behavior so that the change lasts." <more> Aug. 5, 2009 LA Times  
   

• U.S. study:  consumers spared big costs in climate bill - - A new U.S. government study on Tuesday adds to a growing list of experts concluding that climate legislation moving through Congress would have only a modest impact on consumers, adding a bit more than $100 to household costs in 2020. Under the climate legislation passed by the House of Representatives in June, electricity, heating oil and other bills for average families will rise $114 in 2020 and $288 in 2030, according to the Energy Information Administration, the country's top energy forecaster. The bill requires energy companies to help consumers lower costs during the early years of the program which would "mute the impact of higher energy prices for households until at least 2025," said Kay Smith, an EIA economist. <more> Aug. 5, 2009 Reuters  
   

• Field Poll contends GOP is isolated as California shifts left - - The climbing number of independent voters over the past 30 years has fueled a more liberal shift in attitudes among Californians about hot-button issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion, according to a Field Poll survey released Tuesday. That trend has favored Democratic candidates who have counted on independent voters to provide crucial swing votes in close elections, said Mark DiCamillo, director of the non-partisan Field Poll. Meanwhile, Republican voters are moving in the opposite direction and have hardened their stance against same-sex marriage and euthanasia over the past three decades, the study found. Tuesday's survey results examined trends in past poll results. "What you're seeing on a number of social issues is California voters have become more accepting and tolerant," DiCamillo said. "Republicans are not moving and hold the same opinion as 30 years ago. That may be one of the problems the party faces." <more> Aug. 5, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• Dirty Jobs’ Mike Rowe on animal agriculture (video) - - Drawing on his experiences picking up roadkill, feeding swine, and castrating a lamb with his teeth, Mike Rowe, host of Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs," discusses how modern American culture belittles necessary labor. Click here to view the video. In addition, Dirty Jobs is looking for farmers to share ag stories on their new online forum  Aug. 5, 2009 Dairy Herd Management  

Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009

• Tyson, Pilgrim's Pride Signal Rebound for Poultry - - Chicken giants Tyson Foods Inc. and Pilgrim's Pride Corp. posted improved results, a sign that the poultry industry may finally be starting a recovery after months of getting battered by high feed costs and weak demand. But both companies cautioned that the dead weight from the recession has yet to lift. The looming prospect of volatility in the grain markets and continuing lackluster meat demand pose potential problems. Tyson Chief Executive Leland Tollett warned investors on a conference call Monday that the meat business in the current quarter isn't likely to perform as well as in the one recently ended because of "soft demand for protein." Tyson's shares fell 31 cents to $11.12 in 4 p.m. composite trading on the New York Stock Exchange. <more> Aug. 4, 2009 Wall Street Journal  
   

• Hygieia Biological Laboratories names new VP for research and development - - Dr. Girish Sarma, previously of Biomune, has joined Hygieia Biological Laboratories as Vice President -for Research and Development, according to Gary Spina, Hygieia's national sales manager.  Aug. 4, 2009
   

• CPF annual meeting registration underway -- Registration is underway for the CPF’s annual meeting Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. First out of the gate to register was Terry Winfrey of Lehar Sales. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Darling International Inc.; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Novus International, Inc.
  Silver Club: Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Walco International, Inc.  
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.   
   

• Keeping Their Eggs in Their Backyard Nests - - As Americans struggle through a dismal recession, many are trying to safeguard themselves from what they fear will be even worse times ahead. They eat out less often. They take vacations closer to home. They put off buying new cars. And some raise chickens. Lloyd Romriell, a married father of four in Annis, Idaho, recently received seven grown chickens and a coop from a relative. The hens lay a total of about two dozen eggs a week. “It’s because times are tough. You never know what’s going to happen,” Mr. Romriell said. Although he manages a feed store, he had not kept chickens since he was a child. “If you lose your job tomorrow, you’ve still got food.” As a backyard chicken trend sweeps the country, hatcheries that supply baby chicks say they can barely keep up with demand. Do-it-yourself coops have popped up in places as disparate as Brooklyn, suburban Chicago and the rural West. <more> Aug. 4, 2009 NY Times   
   

• Prodding the Liberal Agenda With a Pitchfork - - Climate change legislation was moving along in the House in June when it ran into a tractorcade. Dozens of farm-state lawmakers, led by the blunt-talking Minnesotan who chairs the House Agriculture Committee, blocked the way.  Only after Democratic leaders agreed to a raft of changes drawn up by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) did the bill squeak through the House, 219 to 212. It was a striking demonstration of agricultural interests stamping their imprint on key parts of the Democratic program. That may come as a surprise to those who thought the "farm bloc" disappeared sometime around the end of the Eisenhower administration. In fact, its clout has been reshaping -- and in some cases halting -- the ambitious agenda of President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). A bloc of moderate-to-conservative rural Democrats in both houses now holds the fate of health-care legislation in its hands. Meanwhile, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the nation's largest farm organization, has vowed to kill the climate change bill in the Senate. And last week, farm groups forced significant changes in food safety legislation by limiting the Food and Drug Administration's role in tracing suspected pathogens back to farms. You might call these newly empowered farm-state lawmakers the Agracrats. <more> Aug. 3, 2009 Washington Post
   

• Novartis: Animal rights activists steal ashes of CEO's mom - - Drug maker Novartis AG said Tuesday that animal rights activists have stolen the ashes of its CEO's mother and set fire to his Austrian hunting lodge. Swiss authorities, however, said they didn't know who was behind the attacks. In the latest incident, CEO Daniel Vasella's Tyrollean lodge in Bach, Austria, was badly burned early Monday morning. "It was arson with a professional fire accelerator," Novartis spokeswoman Isabel Guerra said in Basel. One week earlier, someone dug up an urn containing the ashes of Vasella's mother, who died in 2001, and took them from her grave in the eastern Swiss city of Chur, leaving behind the spray-painted message "Drop HLS Now" in red letters on the gravestone. <more> Aug. 4, 2009 AP
   

• Florez-Denham lead in fundraising for Lt. Governor - - Here's a look at how campaign finances are shaping up in races for constitutional offices in 2010.  Valley state senators Dean Florez and Jeff Denham lead the way in race for lieutenant governor.  Sen. Dean Florez, (D-Shafter) has an edge on his opponents, with $872,682 in the bank after raising more than $500,000 in the first six months of the year. Sen. Jeff Denham ( R-Merced) raised $335,352 and ended the reporting period with $190,950 on hand. Sen. Sam Aanestad, R-Penn Valley, raised $37,550 and finished the money race in the No. 3 spot, with $158,950 in his fund for lieutenant governor.  <more> Aug. 4, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• Dan Walters: Polling reveals California's fragmented electorate - - California, it's been observed, is a canary in the socioeconomic mine, telling the rest of the nation what to expect in the future, for better or worse. If so, then the rest of the nation had best be prepared for fragmentation, which is the only word that fully captures the division of a once-cohesive society into its many component parts. This fragmentation, coupled with ever-lower levels of voter participation, means politicians must cater to an electorate that reflects an ever-narrower slice of the socioeconomic whole while trying to meet the needs of an isolated, nonvoting underclass. It manifests itself in such things as a chronically unbalanced state budget and political gridlock.  <more> Aug. 4, 2009 Sacramento Bee   
   

• USDA Study: Child born in 2008 will cost $221,190 to raise  - - The USDA  released a new report, Expenditures on Children by Families, finding that a middle-income family with a child born in 2008 can expect to spend about $221,190 ($291,570 when adjusted for inflation) for food, shelter, and other necessities to raise that child over the next seventeen years. Issued by USDA each year since 1960, the report is a valuable resource to courts and state governments in determining child support guidelines and foster care payments. For the year 2008, annual child-rearing expenses for a middle-income, two-parent family ranges from $11,610 to $13,480, depending on the age of the child. <more> Aug. 4, 2009 USDA Press Release

Monday, Aug. 3, 2009

• Tyson Foods 3Q profit jumps as chicken sales rise - - Tyson Foods Inc. posted a strong third-quarter profit Monday, powered by its poultry division, but beef and pork also made money as the world's largest meat producer finally overcame last year's steep increases in feed and fuel prices. Tyson earned $134 million, or 35 cents per share, compared with $9 million, or 3 cents per share, a year earlier, though sales were down slightly. Earnings from continuing operations were $127 million, or 33 cents per share, compared with a loss of $3 million, or a penny per share. Tyson says sales dipped 3 percent to $6.66 billion from $6.85 billion on declines in beef and pork sales, but chicken sales improved partly on higher average prices. Analysts forecast profit of 22 cents per share on revenue of $6.68 billion. <more> Aug. 3, 2009 AP   
   

• Poultry animal welfare auditor training session Oct. 6 in North Carolina- - -The fourth edition of the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization’s (PAACO) highly popular and well-respected poultry welfare auditor training course will be held Oct. 6-8, 2009, in Raleigh, NC. Co-sponsored by North Carolina State University’s Department of Poultry Science – Extension, the three-day course is the first step in reaching PAACO certification status for poultry (broiler, egg layer and turkey) welfare auditors.  After passing an examination at the conclusion of the instruction, attendees move into a shadowing phase of training.  Certification is granted after successfully completing two shadowed audits monitored by a PAACO-certified poultry auditor.  To date, PAACO has certified over 110 poultry welfare auditors. As testimony to the prestige the annual course has garnered since its inception in 2006, more than a dozen industry-related companies are providing financial support for this year’s training.  Primary contributors are Alltech; Alpharma Animal Health; Cobb; Hybrid Turkeys; Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health; Jones-Hamilton Co.; Kemin AgriFoods North America, Inc.; Lohmann Animal Health International; Novus; and Phibro Animal Health Corporation.  Daily breaks will be sponsored by CEVA Biomune; Century Poultry, Inc.; and Hy-Line Layers.  Biosecurity items for the hands-on segment of the training will be provided by Ivesco. The course features instruction by leading industry specialists and on-farm live animal production and processing audit field experience at various sites in the Raleigh area.  Course instructors include Dr. Ken Anderson, poultry science professor/Extension specialist at North Carolina State University; Dr. James Barton, laboratory director for The Poultry Federation Laboratory; Karen Christensen, director of technical services, O.K. Farms, Inc.; Dr. Eric Gingerich, staff veterinarian and adjunct assistant professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Temple Grandin, president of Grandin Livestock Handling Systems; Dr. Jesse Grimes, professor of poultry science, NC State; Dr. Dave Hermes, regional veterinarian for broiler chickens and turkeys, Perdue Farms, Inc.; and Dr. Mike Wineland, professor of poultry sciences, NC State.  Hosts of the on-farm visits are Townsends, Inc.; Goldsboro Milling/Butterball; and Braswell Foods. Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, with an official deadline of Sept. 11.  Previous courses have been filled several weeks prior to the deadline, so interested participants are urged to sign up now to secure a spot.  Past attendees at the training have had broad backgrounds and included academia, producers, packers/processors and customers from retail and foodservice.  PAACO reserves the right to limit class size. For more information and registration materials, go to PAACO’s website, www.animalauditor.org  or contact Mike Simpson, executive director of PAACO, at 402-403-0104; e-mail mike@animalauditor.org. Aug.3, 2009 PAACO Press Release
   

• CPF annual meeting registration underway -- Registration is underway for the CPF’s annual meeting Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. First out of the gate to register was Terry Winfrey of Lehar Sales. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Darling International Inc.; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Novus International, Inc.
  Silver Club: Huvepharma; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Walco International, Inc.  
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.   
   

• Goodwill planting helps victims of water shortage - - A 15-acre plot may not seem like much of a farm on the west side, where crops stretch for miles. But the produce grown here isn't for sale. It goes to help some of the Valley's neediest families. The Woolf Farming Co. planted 15 acres near Huron in early June to supply fresh produce to workers who have lost jobs or hours because of the Valley's water shortage. Because of drought and environmental restrictions, farmers in the Westlands Water District have received less water this year, forcing them to fallow thousands of acres and lay off workers in Huron, Firebaugh and Mendota. Morgan Woolf, a 20-year-old member of the farming family and a UC Davis student, organized the project that has produced about 119 tons of vegetables, including squash, three types of corn, jalapeño peppers and bell peppers. <more> Aug. 1, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• Ag Leadership Announces New CEO - - The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation has hired Bob Gray as its new president and CEO.  Gray officially assumes his new role on Sept. 1.  He will be responsible for directing all Foundation activities and enhancing an educational program which prepares and inspires men and women in California agriculture for more effective leadership. Gray joins the Foundation having spent the last 29 years with A. Duda & Sons, one of the largest family-owned agribusiness and land management companies in the United States.  When named Executive Vice President of the parent corporation, Gray was only the second non-family member to serve in that capacity.  As CEO of Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Gray guided the division through internal consolidation as a business unit and unprecedented growth, and successfully steered the company's flagship celery business from a solely "commodity-based" offering to a program that included a significant "value-added" segment. After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona, Gray received a British Marshall Scholarship and completed his master's degree at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.  Gray continues to serve as chair of the San Francisco Regional Selection Committee for Marshall Scholars and is also the immediate past chairman of the board of directors for the Western Growers' Association. Aug. 3, 2009 Ag Leadership Notice
   

Friday, July 31, 2009

• WTO panel probes US ban on Chinese poultry - - The World Trade Organization launched a formal investigation Friday of the United States' ban on Chinese poultry, after the Asian country alleged that Washington was fundamentally breaking global commerce rules. Beijing told the WTO's dispute settlement body that Washington had imposed "naked discriminative protectionism measures" in completely banning Chinese chicken products entering the U.S. market. The United States countered that it was still examining whether Chinese poultry was safe for human consumption. It was China's second request for the WTO to establish an investigative panel. The U.S. blocked China's first request last month, but could not do so again under WTO rules. <more> July 31, 2009 AP
   

• Federal Departments Take Steps to Reduce Foodborne Pathogens - - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that prevention and partnership will guide their departments' efforts to safeguard the food Americans eat every day. Today's announcements are based on the public health principles embraced by the White House Food Safety Working Group led by Secretary Sebelius and Secretary Vilsack. "Making prevention a priority is critical to reducing foodborne illness and one of the three food safety principles of President Obama's Food Safety Working Group," said Vilsack. "The actions we are taking today will result in safer food in our country, which means healthier children and less costly healthcare." Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced that USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing guidance for inspectors to begin conducting routine sampling of bench trim for E. coli. Bench trim is pieces left over from steaks and other cuts that are then used to make ground beef. FSIS will also be issuing streamlined, consolidated instructions to its personnel for inspection, sampling and other actions to reduce E. coli O157:H7 in beef. <more> July 31, 2009 USDA Press Release
   

• Q & A: House's food safety bill - - The House on Thursday approved a big food safety bill by a 283-142 margin. The legislation could affect every facet of the nation's food supply chain, from farm to grocery store. Questions still linger about the 159-page Food Safety Enhancement Act; some of them have answers.<more> July 31, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• CPF annual meeting registration underway -- Registration is underway for the CPF’s annual meeting Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. First out of the gate to register was Terry Winfrey of Lehar Sales. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Darling International Inc.; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Novus International, Inc.
  Silver Club: Huvepharma; Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health  
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.   
   

• International Poultry and Feed Expo Preregistration Opens Online- - Online preregistration for the 2010 International Poultry and Feed Expo is available as of Monday, August 3, 2009. Sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and the American Feed Industry Association, the Expo is scheduled January 27-29, at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA. The preregistration fee is $35 (USD). The preregistration deadline is January 8. On-site registration is $60 (USD) - no checks, no refunds, and no substitutions.  To register online, go to www.ipe10.org.  New for 2010 is the unique “Members to Atlanta” program, which will waive the registration fee for attendees from member firms of either association engaged in the production of poultry, egg, and feed products.  The program is supported through the sponsorship of Expo exhibitors, who will be identified with the customers they sponsor and recognized at the show. July 31, 2009 USPEA Press Release
   

• FSIS extends roaster comment period - - The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced last Friday that it is extending the comment period for its re-proposed definition and standard for “roaster” and “roasting chicken” that was published July 13. The comment period has been extended an additional 30 days and will now close September 11. FSIS’s action is in response to a request made by the National Chicken Council. The proposed rule would define a “roaster” or “roasting chicken” as a young chicken from 8 to 12 weeks of age with a ready-to-cook carcass weight of five pounds or more. In response to a request from NCC regarding clarification of the current regulation, FSIS said that any whole young chicken meeting the proposed definition and standard for roaster or roasting chicken would have to be labeled as such. A copy of the proposed rule is available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-16402.pdf. July 31, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• AMS Market News portal now includes poultry - - USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has expanded its Market News Portal to include poultry news. The portal provides instant access to daily and historical reports on agricultural commodity markets for processors, producers, shippers, handlers, wholesale and retail marketers, market analysts, and others. The portal permits users to customize the data they wish to access. The portal may be accessed at www.marketnews.usda.gov. July 31, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• U.K. retailer Tesco to sell live chickens as consumers embrace back-to-basics movement - - After success in an initial pilot, British grocer and mass merchant Tesco will begin selling live chickens and egg-laying hens at its Dobbies Garden Centres, the retailer announced this week, as consumers embrace the money-saving grow-your-own movement with gusto. The U.K.'s largest retailer, which bought the 24-store Dobbies chain a year ago, has applied to set up 30 allotments near one of the garden centres in north of England and is looking to set up allotments at other sites around the country, executives told the Telegraph newspaper. Allotments are small plots of unused land which residents rent from local councils in order to grow produce or flowers. <more> July 31, 2009 NationalPost.com    
   

• The Omnivore’s Delusion: Against the Agri-intellectuals - - By Blake Hurst - - Farming has always been messy and painful, and bloody and dirty. It still is. This is something the critics of industrial farming never seem to understand. I’m dozing, as I often do on airplanes, but the guy behind me has been broadcasting nonstop for nearly three hours. I finally admit defeat and start some serious eavesdropping. He’s talking about food, damning farming, particularly livestock farming, compensating for his lack of knowledge with volume. I’m so tired of people who wouldn’t visit a doctor who used a stethoscope instead of an MRI demanding that farmers like me use 1930s technology to raise food. Farming has always been messy and painful, and bloody and dirty. It still is. The distance between the farmer and what he grows has certainly increased, but, believe me, if we weren't closely connected, we wouldn't still be farming. It's important to our critics that they emphasize this alienation, because they have to ignore the "industrial" farmer's experience and knowledge to say the things they do about farming. <more> July 31, 2009 Journal of the American Enterprise Institute
   

• S.F. food policy heading in a healthy direction - - San Francisco's food policy - proposed by the mayor earlier this year as a way to bring healthy, sustainable meals from regional farms to city residents - is morphing into what will likely be a series of proposals that could someday change the way the entire Bay Area eats. The policy, which should be ready early next year, also could expand beyond food to include new rural-urban partnerships for alternative-energy production and water conservation. The city's first formal food policy doesn't exist yet, but food experts from all over California have been meeting this month and last to brainstorm ideas for connecting the Bay Area to its regional "foodshed" - which is the 100- to 200-mile radius of farmland around San Francisco. The idea is to decrease reliance on imported food and create stronger ties between local farms and their immediate market. Of course, a policy adopted in and by San Francisco would not apply to the rest of the Bay Area, but those involved in the planning hope it will become a model for government agencies outside the city. <more> July 31, 2009 SF Chronicle  

Thursday, July 30, 2009

• House passes far-reaching food safety bill - - The House passed a far-reaching food safety bill Thursday, July 30, in the wake of the recent outbreak of salmonella in peanuts that killed at least nine people. The legislation would require more government inspections and oversight of food manufacturers and give the Food and Drug Administration new authority to order recalls. It also would require the FDA to develop a system for better tracing food-borne illnesses, and the government could impose new penalties on those who violate the law. Food companies would be required to create detailed food safety plans. The House passed the bill 283-142 a day after rejecting it. Farm-state members had argued that the bill would be too invasive on farms and had pushed colleagues to vote against it as it was considered under a special procedure that requires a two-thirds vote. It was rejected by a few votes. <more> July 30, 2009 AP  
   

• Foster Farms gifts half a million dollars to CSU Stanislaus - - Mr. Ron Foster, President and CEO of Foster Farms, has contributed $500,000 to California State University, Stanislaus to fund The Foster Farms Endowed Chair in Business Economics with an emphasis in econometrics. The chair holder who will have expertise in Econometrics will engage in economic forecasting for the region and help business leaders, investors, and citizens make informed decisions based on a thorough understanding of the current economic environment. Research conducted by the endowed chair will also measure the fiscal impact CSU Stanislaus has on the Central Valley. President Shirvani said, “I am grateful to Ron for his continued support of the University and for his enduring dedication in advancing the Central Valley. This endowment will greatly advance the economic growth and prosperity of the area.” <more> July 30, 2009 CSU Stanislaus Press Release  
   

• Study Says Farming is a Heroic Career - - Here is a good helping of positive media coverage for farmers and ranchers this week. In a recent article at MSN Careers, a study was conducted to identify the top ten careers people consider the most notable and prestigious. Ranchers were listed at number eight and were joined by firefighters, scientists, doctors, nurses, teachers, military officers, police officers, religious leaders and engineers. Too often, the American public is mislead against farmers and ranchers, and often, they don’t trust our dedication to animal care and environmental stewardship while producing a safe and wholesome product to feed the world. Yet, this study proves that we still have the support of many consumers, and maybe the general public does trust and support the good old American farmer and rancher, after all. <more> July 30, 2009 BeefMagazine.com
   

• CPF annual meeting registration underway -- Registration is underway for the CPF’s annual meeting Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. First out of the gate to register was Terry Winfrey of Lehar Sales. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Darling International Inc.; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough
  Silver Club: Huvepharma; Lohmann Animal Health  
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.    
   

• The Meat of the Problem - - By Ezra Klein - - The debate over climate change has reached a rarefied level of policy abstraction in recent months. Carbon tax or cap-and-trade? Upstream or downstream? Should we auction permits? Head-scratching is, at this point, permitted. But at base, these policies aim to do a simple thing, in a simple way: persuade us to undertake fewer activities that are bad for the atmosphere by making those activities more expensive. Driving an SUV would become pricier. So would heating a giant house with coal and buying electricity from an inefficient power plant. But there's one activity that's not on the list and should be: eating a hamburger. If it's any consolation, I didn't like writing that sentence any more than you liked reading it. But the evidence is strong. It's not simply that meat is a contributor to global warming; it's that it is a huge contributor. Larger, by a significant margin, than the global transportation sector. <more> July 30, 2009 Washington Post
   

• Standard Maximum Deposit Insurance Amount Extended Temporarily - - On May 20, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which extends the temporary increase in the standard maximum deposit insurance amount (SMDIA) to $250,000 per depositor through December 31, 2013. This extension of the temporary $250,000 coverage limit became effective immediately upon the President's signature. The legislation provides that the SMDIA will return to $100,000 on January 1, 2014. <more> July 30, 2009 FDIC Notice  
   

• Organic food is no healthier, study finds - - Organic food has no nutritional or health benefits over ordinary food, according to a major study published Wednesday. Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said consumers were paying higher prices for organic food because of its perceived health benefits, creating a global organic market worth an estimated $48 billion in 2007. A systematic review of 162 scientific papers published in the scientific literature over the last 50 years, however, found there was no significant difference. "A small number of differences in nutrient content were found to exist between organically and conventionally produced foodstuffs, but these are unlikely to be of any public health relevance," said Alan Dangour, one of the report's authors. <more> July 30, 2009 Reuters
   

• Williamson Act cut, but hope lingers - - Observers and negotiators say there's still hope for the Williamson Act in this year's state budget, despite Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's suspension of the program. Schwarzenegger signed a new budget on Tuesday after using his veto power to cut roughly $656 million in program funding that lawmakers had approved. Among the cuts was the Williamson Act, through which the state pays subventions to local governments - money that replaces property taxes lost when jurisdictions enter contracts with landowners to preserve farmland in exchange for lower tax assessments. The program enjoys broad political support. Lawmakers, currently on summer recess, could still override the vetoes. But Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, says he wants to continue working with the governor's office on a compromise. <more> July 30, 2009 Capital Press

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

• Foster Farms sues Livingston over water rate increase - - The city of Livingston broke state law and health codes when it adopted a resolution that will increase water rates by an initial 40 percent, according to a lawsuit filed in Merced County Superior Court by Foster Farms, the city's largest water user. The suit also claims the company will be negatively impacted by the city's July 7 resolution and demands that the court order the city to rescind the increase. The lawsuit was filed July 14. "The city has pursued a 'shell game' in which the city announces proposed water rate increases yet fails to justify the basis for massive increased rates in the manner required by law," states the lawsuit. "The increased rates cannot be justified because they are intended to pay for unrelated city activities to generate unlawful surpluses, not to provide water service to the city's residents." <more> July 29, 2009 Merced Sun Star
   

• CPF annual meeting registration underway -- Registration is underway for the CPF’s annual meeting Sept. 17-18 at the Resort at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. First out of the gate to register was Terry Winfrey of Lehar Sales. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: ASC/Agrecom; Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Darling International Inc.; Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough
  Silver Club: Lohmann Animal Health  
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.     
   

• Production and Health Seminar to Examine Future of Antibiotics - – The 2009 Poultry Production and Health Seminar will examine what the future holds for antibiotics in animal agriculture, along with other sessions to keep live production managers and service representatives up to date on the latest management practices and technology to maintain healthy and productive flocks.  Sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s Poultry & Egg Institute, the seminar will be held September 22-23, at the Peabody Hotel, Memphis, TN. “Healthy birds are the foundation of the poultry industry,” said program committee chairman Larry Gandy, Marshall Durbin Company, Waynesboro, MS.    “It is vital that we keep up with the latest advancements that can enhance bird health and performance. This year’s program will ensure that we stay informed on the key issues that impact live production,” he added. The program also will feature other important topics such as Coccidiosis Vaccination Options, Salmonella in Live Production, An MS Outbreak Case Study, Preparing the Poultry House for Seasonal Changes, and Energy Cost Saving Techniques. Members of the program committee are (seated from left): Dr. Phil Stayer, Sanderson Farms, Laurel, MS; Dr. Marshall Putnam, Wayne Farms, Oakwood, GA; Doc Williams, Tyson Foods, Forest, MS; and (standing from left): Robert Crowe, Harrison Poultry, Bethlehem, GA; Dr. John Smith, Fieldale Farms, Baldwin, GA; Gandy; Dr. Casey Ritz, University of Georgia; and Frank Halpin, Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, Canton, GA. To register for the Poultry Production and Health Seminar, go to www.poultryegg.org  July 29, 2009 USPEA Press Release
   

• Genetic Markers Will Allow Breeds to be More Tailored - – In the future, genetic markers will make it possible to select for traits previously too difficult or too expensive to measure and incorporate into a breeding program, according to Dr. Bill Lee, Heritage Breeders.  “New genetic testing will allow for breeds to be tailored to individual market niches and customers,” he said.  Lee was speaking on a panel discussing “Primary Breeder Trends” at the 2009 Hatchery-Breeder Clinic.  Sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s Poultry & Egg Institute, the conference provided a comprehensive look at factors that influence production and performance, such as future breeder trends, effective management practices, and technology advancements at the breeder farm and in the hatchery.  Another breeder panel member, Dr. Mike Hellwig, Hubbard, said that, “disease resistance, immune response, and similar traits will depend in part on the progress we make with genetic markers.  Other traits suited to markers include livability; egg production, before onset of production; carcass traits, such as yield and fat; and heat tolerance,” he added. <more> July 29, 2009 USPEA Press Release
   

• Williamson Act funding cut by Governor -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday eliminated state support for a farmland preservation program that is heavily used in the Valley -- a move that could force counties to make more budget cuts. Funding for the Williamson Act was one of 21 vetoes the governor announced in order to bring the state's 2009-10 budget back into balance after the Legislature last week passed a plan that was slightly in the red. <more> July 29, 2009 Sacramento Bee   

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

• CPF annual meeting registration underway -- Registration is underway for the CPF’s annual meeting Sept. 17-28 at the Spa at Squaw Creek near Lake Tahoe. First out of the gate to register was Terry Winfrey of Lehar Sales. The meeting opens up Thursday with a luncheon followed by an afternoon of outstanding speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Roseville republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines and Todd Hale, Senior Vice President, Consumer & Shopper Insights, for The Nielsen Company. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 57-6355.  Sponsorships to date include:
  Diamond Club: Snackmasters Jerky
  Gold Club: Foster Farms; Intervet/Schering-Plough
  Silver Club: Lehar Sales Company; Lohmann Animal Health  
  More information about the conference is available on the CPF website by clicking here.     
   

• Humane Society says chicken manure piles endangering Central Valley water - - The Humane Society of the United States has filed a petition with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board seeking an investigation of a major egg farm’s practice of dumping manure on the ground next to a ditch that drains directly to the San Joaquin River. The waste is from the more than 700,000 hens housed at the French Camp facility operated by Olivera Egg Ranch Inc. The petition alleges that manure from the facility may contaminate the local residential water supply, which may have happened in recent weeks. It also says that Olivera recently used a backhoe to dig out tons of wet and solid manure from its 16-acre manure cesspool and then dumped it within feet of a ditch connecting to the San Joaquin River. <more> July 28, 2009 Central Valley Business Times
   

• U.S. should give Chinese chicken a chance: meat group - -  The U.S. meat sector on Tuesday urged Congress to lift a ban that effectively prevents Chinese poultry imports in order to avoid retaliation on their own exports to China. U.S. law allows any of the other 152 countries that belong to the World Trade Organization to be able to apply to export meat to the United States, and it is unfair that China has been singled out, a coalition of meat companies and trade groups said in a testimony to a House committee that has championed the ban. "We will not be able to avoid a serious trade confrontation with China if Congress does not reconsider" the measure, trade lawyer Kevin Brosch said, speaking for the coalition in remarks prepared for the House agriculture appropriations subcommittee.  China has launched a WTO complaint about the ban, and trade groups said China recently stopped issuing import permits for U.S. chicken in retaliation, threatening the largest market for U.S. poultry, worth almost $700 million per year.<more> July 28, 2009 Reuters
   

• Pilgrim's Pride to close two processing plants - - Pilgrim's Pride Corp. announced the closing of two of its chicken processing plants within 60-75 days. The plants to be idled are in Athens, Ala. and Athens, Ga. Production will be consolidated in nearby Pilgrim's plants, bringing them to capacity. The company anticipates offering new positions to many employees from the closing facilities. The hatchery in Moulton, Ala., the feed mill in Falkville, Ala., and other live production operations associated with the Athens, Ala. plant will continue to operate. The company filed for voluntary bankruptcy petition on December 1, 2008, and has been working to bring its facilities to full capacity since then. July 28, 2009 WattPoultry.com
   

• Online course offered in management of animal health-related groups - - Kansas State University will offer a new 16-credit-hour online graduate certificate in the management of animal health-related organizations beginning this fall. The certificate program was developed by K-State's College of Business Administration through a partnership with K-State's Beef Cattle Institute and Division of Continuing Education. "The collaborative efforts involved in developing this program will provide education to help employees of the animal health industry become more effective, which is of great value to businesses in Kansas, the Midwest region and the world," said Yar Ebadi, dean of K-State's College of Business Administration. Students in the program will learn to use applied skills and attain an understanding of basic functional areas of business and how each contributes to an effective business organization in the context of the animal health industry. The certificate will educate employees by preparing them for additional responsibilities and expanding their career opportunities. <more> July 28, 2009 KSU Press Release
   

• Chickens Roam Their Roosts in Urban Backyards - - In her cozy yard filled with the dense growth of summer vegetables, Christa Backson is an example of Santa Barbara’s blend of self-reliance, love of local produce and obsession with foodie culture.  But the Mesa resident hasn’t just taken to feeding her family solely off the produce she cultivates in the small yard behind her childhood home. Walk past the sprawling vines of squash and cucumbers, and the soft clucking of five hens wafts out into the yard. Backson built a small coop between her house and the fence after deciding to raise hens for their eggs. It’s a movement that’s catching on with many city dwellers who want to get back to the source of their food. <more> July 28, 2009 Santa Barbara Noozhawk  
   

• House vote expected this week on food-safety bill - - The nation's food suppliers will face new fees, inspections and penalties under a multibillion-dollar food-safety bill set for a vote as early as Wednesday by the House of Representatives.  From importers and growers to processors and distributors, the painstakingly negotiated 133-page bill touches every facet of the U.S. food supply chain. While taxpayers and businesses will pay more, consumers are supposed to be safer. "There is no partisan gap when it comes to keeping the food supply safe," declared Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Enacting the tougher food-safety measures, such as increased inspections, will cost the federal government $3.5 billion during the next five years. New industry inspection and registration fees will pay for nearly half the tab. <more> July 28, 2009 McClatchy Newspapers
   

• Small Farms Challenge Expansion of FDA's Authority - - Small to mid-size farms and those growing organic foods are challenging the congressional effort to expand the Food and Drug Administration's food-safety powers. The farmers say food-safety legislation that passed the Energy and Commerce Committee in June gives the FDA authority to set production standards on their farms and charge them the same registration fees large food processors would be required to pay. The agency, they fear, could also require them to keep more records so contaminated products could be traced more easily. "I'm not against food safety if we have a problem,'' said Nick Maravell, who has a 165-acre organic farm here, about 40 miles from Washington, D.C. He said he already keeps detailed records to comply with existing U.S. Department of Agriculture rules for organic products. "To do it again would be time- and cost-sensitive," he said. Smaller farmers aren't alone. Cattle ranchers and grain farmers, already regulated by USDA, don't want to be subjected to an overlay of FDA food-safety rules. <more> July 28, 2009 Wall Street Journal  

Thursday, July 23, 2009

• Judge: Okla. can't seek damages in poultry suit-  - Oklahoma can't pursue monetary damages in its environmental lawsuit against a dozen Arkansas poultry companies because it didn't name the Cherokee Nation as a plaintiff, a federal judge ruled Wednesday in a major blow to the state. Oklahoma had hoped to collect more than $611 million from companies it claims polluted the Illinois River watershed with bird waste. But the 1-million-acre river valley lies in an area set aside by the federal government for the Cherokee Nation, and Oklahoma doesn't have the authority to seek damages on the nation's behalf, U.S. District Court Judge Gregory K. Frizzell ruled. He said the state could continue to pursue the lawsuit to stop poultry companies from disposing of what Oklahoma claims are excessive amounts of chicken waste on farmland in the watershed. <more> July 23, 2009 AP
   

• Water Hardness Plays a Role in Removing Bacteria from Chicken Skin- - Reducing water hardness may increase its ability to remove bacteria from broiler chicken skin, according to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Athens, Ga.  Water hardness varies in different geographical locations, but most water tested in the United States has some degree of hardness.  "Hard" water has higher concentrations of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.  Water is softened by removing these minerals, either mechanically or chemically.  Microbiologist Arthur Hinton, Jr., and chemist Ronald Holser of the ARS Richard B. Russell Research Center in Athens conducted studies comparing the ability of very hard, moderately hard, and "soft" water to rinse away bacteria like Campylobacter, Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas from the skin of broiler chicken carcasses. <more> July 23, 2009 ARS Press Release
   

• CDFA: Expect deep cuts - - Officials of California's Department of Food and Agriculture told the state's ag board on Wednesday that the agency is preparing for the possibility of big budget cuts. No specific trims of CDFA were outlined in the budget agreement reached by lawmakers this week. But worker furloughs and government-wide cuts have already trimmed up to a third of the general-fund portion of CDFA's budget, George Deese, CDFA's deputy secretary of finance, told the State Board of Food and Agriculture. The agency's budget totals just over $300 million. Of that, $98 million comes from the state's general fund. The rest comes from industry fees and federal programs. At Wednesday's board meeting, CDFA undersecretary Will Brown called attention to estimates that revenue assumptions underlying this week's budget agreement are unrealistically high. That circumstance is giving the agency pause, Brown said. <more> July 23, 2009 Capital Press
   

• Climate bill needs "off ramp": Senate farm chief - - The climate bill being assembled in the U.S. Senate should include an "off ramp" allowing the United States to relax its greenhouse gas rules if other nation fail to control theirs, said the Senate Agriculture Committee chairman on Wednesday. Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin of Iowa told reporters that he would allow other nations three to five years to act to curb carbon emissions. "If other countries don't join us ... hey, we're off the ramp," he said during a break in an Agriculture Committee hearing on climate legislation. Harkin said the "off ramp" should be written into the Senate bill. <more> July 23, 2009 Reuters
   

• Ag secretaries past and present split on climate bill - - It seems U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., would disagree on the color of corn these days. Johanns is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which heard testimony Wednesday from Vilsack and others about the role of farmers in the climate change bill approved last month by the House. By requiring power plants and factories to obtain allowances for greenhouse gas emissions, the bill is likely to increase prices for electricity, fuel and other farm necessities. But it also would provide credits to farmers for planting trees and practicing environmentally friendly techniques. A new analysis by the Agriculture Department’s chief economist shows that farmers would receive more from the credits — potentially a lot more — over the long term than they would lose from their increased costs, Vilsack testified. But Johanns, who was agriculture secretary under President George W. Bush, jumped on several aspects of that analysis. He pointed out that Vilsack was touting nationwide farm benefits without providing a state-by-state breakdown. <more> July 23, 2009 Omaha World-Herald  
   

• Unusual process sends state water bills to committee - - In an unusual move, the state Legislature is opting to address delta water policy through a little-used conference committee approach. The Assembly and the Senate took the first steps last week to pull existing legislation related to water issues into a group of five bills and refocus them on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Existing language was stripped from the bills and placeholder language inserted to indicate future intention. The Assembly amended three Senate bills and the Senate amended two Assembly bills, all of which were then directed to the new conference committee. Legislative staff said creating a conference committee to address issues related to delta water policy will allow for a "full, extended and open public process" to consider delta water issues. <more> July 23, 2009 Ag Alert  

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

• National food groups caution Congress on climate change bill - - A group of major national food-related trade associations today cautioned the Senate Agriculture Committee to consider fully the impact climate-change legislation will have on the nation’s ability to provide abundant and affordable food and necessary consumer goods to U.S. and world consumers. The organizations, whose members encompass  food, agricultural commodity, feed, ingredient, beverage and consumer-product processors, manufacturers, distributors and retailers, emit only about 2 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gases, but said they are disproportionately vulnerable to indirect cost increases that would occur under the House-passed version of the climate-change bill.  Those costs include increased input, fuel and transportation expenses. “If not crafted correctly, climate-change legislation could significantly increase the price of food and other household products,” the organizations said.  “Congress must take extreme care to avoid adverse impacts on food security, prices, safety and accessibility to necessary consumer products.  Congress also needs to consider that increases in food, agricultural commodity and feed prices could reduce the international competitiveness of U.S. agriculture- and food-related companies whose exports are vital to the U.S. agricultural economy and make it one of the sole positive contributors to the U.S. balance of trade.” <more> July 22, 2009 NTF Press Release
   

• A 'Green' Process For Biodiesel From Feather Meal - - Scientists in Nevada are reporting development of a new and environmentally friendly process for producing biodiesel fuel from "chicken feather meal," made from the 11 billion pounds of poultry industry waste that accumulate annually in the United States alone. Their study is scheduled for the July 22 issue of ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a bi-weekly publication. In the study Mano Misra, Susanta Mohapatra, Narasimharao Kondamudi, and Jason Strull note that chicken feather meal consists of processed chicken feathers, blood, and innards that have been processed at high temperatures with steam. Currently feather meal is used as animal feed and fertilizer because of its high protein and nitrogen content. With as much as 12 percent fat content, feather meal has potential as an alternative, nonfood feedstock for the production of biofuel, the report says. <more> July 22, 209 RedOrbit.Com
   

• China ups ante in US WTO dispute over poultry - - China on Monday upped the ante in a dispute with Washington over poultry exports, calling on the World Trade Organization to rule on its complaint against US "discriminatory" legislation. According to Beijing, Washington is breaching international trade rules through a US spending bill that it says contains a clause banning imports of Chinese poultry. "While violating various WTO rules, the measure has severely undermined the stable development of Sino-US trade (in) poultry products and damaged the lawful rights and interests of China's poultry industry," a Chinese official said at a WTO dispute settlement body meeting. "This constitutes a typical discriminatory protectionism measure in international trade," the official added. <more> July 22, 2009 AFP
   

• USDA releases study showing economic benefit to ag from climate change bill - - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today testified to the Senate Agriculture Committee on the role that rural America can play in addressing climate change. In his testimony, Vilsack will announce the results of USDA economic analysis showing that the economic benefits to agriculture from the cap and trade legislation will likely outweigh the costs in the short term, and that the economic benefits from offsets markets will easily outpace increased input costs over the long term. Below are excerpts from Secretary Vilsack's prepared testimony: "Although we realize there are a variety of specific approaches that can be used to achieve clean energy and climate goals, over the last several weeks, USDA has analyzed costs and benefits of the House-passed climate legislation for agriculture. Our analysis demonstrates that the economic opportunities for farmers and ranchers can potentially outpace - perhaps significantly - the costs from climate legislation. <more> July 22, 2009 USDA Press Release
   

• Obama Hones Immigration Policy - - The Obama administration is using its executive powers to change U.S. immigration policies and practices on a range of fronts, not waiting for efforts by Congress to tackle a broader overhaul of the system. Administration officials say they want to shift the emphasis in immigration enforcement to what the White House calls the demand-side of illegal immigration by focusing on employers, moving away from high-profile raids that resulted in thousands of worker arrests during the Bush years. The Obama approach also toughens individual enforcement against illegal immigrants with criminal records, but takes a less stringent line with economic migrants and victims of abuse. In some cases, the Obama administration is pushing ahead with plans set under President George W. Bush -- such as putting into effect a mandate that all federal contractors and subcontractors use a government employment-verification system called E-Verify. <more> July 22, 2009 Wall Street Journal  
   

• Study: Central Valley can be saved from current water crisis - - A strong and healthy California agricultural sector can flourish despite diminishing water supply and future uncertainty from climate change, if new steps are taken to significantly increase the efficiency of water use in California fields, says new research released Wednesday by the Pacific Institute.  It says the foundations are already in place with the farmers, ranchers and irrigation districts that have already made water-use efficiency improvements. But the report says there is still tremendous untapped potential – in millions of acre-feet – if policy and water management changes are made. “These are management scenarios and management practices and technologies that some farmers are using, but that more could be using,” says Heather Cooley, senior research associate at the Pacific Institute and co-author of the report. <more> July 22, 2009 Central Valley Business Times  
   

• Cardoza links Pelosi to centrists of caucus - - When the House Democratic leadership assembles each week in the Speaker’s Conference Room, Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.) is the only lawmaker in the meeting with no official title and no leadership staff. He has no real reason to be there. Except that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) wants him on hand. If he did have a title, it would probably be “Blue Dog ambassador.” Cardoza, a Blue Dog from Pelosi’s home state of California, has emerged as the emissary between the liberal Speaker and the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition. And that’s helped Cardoza become what associates say he has wanted to be from his first day in Congress — a consummate inside player. “He cautions leadership about likely reaction from Blue Dogs. He’s kind of an early warning sign,” said Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), a friend of Cardoza’s and fellow Blue Dog. “I wish they would listen to him more.” <more> July 21, 2009 The Hill.com
   

• Ag has credibility in water debate - - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proved prophetic, if not action-packed, when he appeared at the Walk for Water rally on the banks of San Luis Reservoir in mid-April. Schwarzenegger invoked the United Farmworkers of America to encourage the 15,000 farm workers and farmers who participated in the Walk for Water to not stop at one march and rally, but continue to call attention to their plight. The governor did not win any friends with his mention of the UFW at the rally, since the labor union for farm workers was conspicuously absent from the rally then and continues to boycott the effort for whatever reason. However, Schwarzenegger’s admonition to continue the fight has proven predictive. That was obviously the plan of the Latino Water Coalition, its firebrand leader, comedian and former farm worker Paul Rodriquez and the farmers. <more> July 21, 2009 Western Farm Press  

Monday, July 20, 2009

• Meat and Poultry Trade Groups Oppose EPA Petition to Increase Ethanol Blends in Gasoline - - Meat and poultry trade groups today urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject an ethanol group’s petition to allow blends of more than 10 percent ethanol in gasoline because the higher blend could divert nearly half of the U.S. corn crop from food and feed to fuel. The American Meat Institute and National Turkey Federation noted that prematurely allowing blends of E12 or E15 will create incentives for gasoline refiners to eventually use as much as 22 billion gallons of corn ethanol.  This change will have direct impacts on the ability of livestock and poultry producers to effectively predict future annual budgets and costs due to volatility in the markets as feed is the largest input cost associated with raising food producing animals. “While the RFS and blend rates may mandate ethanol production, they cannot mandate corn plantings, production or the prices,” the comments noted.  “Nor can mandates create more total land for farm use.  Since 2005, corn prices have increased significantly, and price volatility has quadrupled, largely as a result of increased corn demand for ethanol production and limited land available for corn plantings.” The comments were filed in response to a petition submitted earlier this year by Growth Energy, asking EPA to increase the allowable ethanol blend to 15 percent. Largely as a result of increased ethanol use, the cost of the 2008 crop corn was increased by $2.10 per bushel over the 2005 crop.  Based on 12 billion bushels of total use that represents a $25.2 billion annual cost increase for corn’s food, feed, ethanol and export users.  Higher corn prices have also had the effect of causing higher prices for soybeans, wheat, rice and other crops.  Cost of production and prices of ethanol are also increased. FarmEcon LLC estimates that 2009 U.S. meat and poultry product will decline a record 3 billion pounds from 2008.  Approximately $7.8 billion in retail meat and poultry sales will be lost to the economy. The comments pointed out that any economic value added by additional ethanol production is being more than destroyed by higher costs, lost sales and increased business risks elsewhere in the economy.  Lower production of other items that depend on grains has resulted.  Forced ethanol production is a net economic drag on the economy, and as such expansion should be discouraged.  July 20, 2009 NTF Press Release
   

• Humane Society, Ohio farmers prepare for war - - Ohio farmers are fighting back against a proposal by the Humane Society of the United States to change how chickens, pigs and calves are confined. The two sides already are scrapping over what is expected to become a heated, emotional and costly statewide ballot issue in November and perhaps again in 2010. What's happening is ''tremendously scary to Ohio farmers . . . and what's happening will impact everyone in Ohio,'' Stark County farmer Frank Burkett III said. The outcome could cost farm jobs in Ohio and affect prices, opponents contend. <more> July 20, 2009 Ohio.com
   

• Walmart sustainability index to put suppliers under spotlight - - More than 100,000 suppliers to Walmart will be asked to prove their green credentials after the company unveiled plans yesterday to develop a world-wide sustainable product index. The goal of the ambitious scheme, which is expected to take years to complete, could see each and every item sold by the retail giant given an eco-rating that will tell consumers how green and sustainable it is. Walmart CEO Mike Duke declared it would make the company’s supply chain “more transparent”. The initial impact of the proposals will fall on the company’s suppliers – many from the food and beverage industries – and, as the world’s largest retailer, Walmart is seen as one of the very few companies with the clout to persuade its suppliers to modify or change their practices. According to reports in the US media, the company will not grant suppliers exemptions to their eco-standards. When asked what relationship Walmart would maintain with suppliers that don’t supply the data, chief merchandising officer John Fleming is reported as saying: “We probably won’t have one.” <more> July 20, 2009 FoodProductionDaily.com
   

• Fresno County, left in the dust - - By Rick Wartzman - - A couple of years ago, were you to have swung by Westside Grocery in the town of Mendota on a Thursday or a Friday, you probably would have had to linger for a while in the sizzling Central Valley heat. The little store was so busy that the line of customers waiting to cash paychecks and make purchases would often spill out the door and halfway down 7th Street. But now the paychecks have dried up, along with the farmland in these parts, thanks to a cruel confluence of drought, environmental regulation and years of political neglect. On a recent end-of-week visit to the market, I found the place empty, save for two jobless men loitering inside and the owner, Joseph Riofrio, and his teenage son, who stood behind the front counter hoping for customers. Over the next hour, half a dozen or so folks trickled in. A couple bought snacks. Most, though, had stopped by to take care of their utility bills -- many of them delinquent. Westside Grocery doubles as a Pacific Gas & Electric payment center. <more> July 20, 2009 LA Times
   

• Voices of the drought - - Two growers and a processor from the Central Valley talk about the changes that water shortages have brought to their operations and their lives. Drought. Environmental regulations. Growing urban demand. It's all meant less water for California farmers. Times editorial writer Marjorie Miller Marjorie Miller spoke with growers and a processor from the Central Valley about how water shortages have affected them. These are edited transcripts of their comments. Bill Diedrich, Shields, Calif. I have 515 acres of almonds, 75 acres of prunes and 23 acres of peaches, and I don't have a choice: I have to irrigate. If I don't irrigate, I'm going to lose all my capital investment. There have been some broad general statements about the water supply not being all that bad, only 5% off normal. Certainly for the Westside Central Valley Project, it's not the truth. This growing year, we're getting 90% less water than our usual allotment. That has to be made up through water purchases and transfers. <more> July 20, 2009 LA Times
   

• PG&E online survey of efficient energy management for wastewater- - -PG&E is beginning a study of conventional and best practices for energy efficient management of agricultural and food processing wastewater. Results of the study will be used to help customers reduce wastewater treatment and energy costs through financial incentives for optimizing these systems and operations. The first step in this study is to collect information on practices that are currently in use via an online survey. PG&E is encouraging participation by poultry processors to ensure that the results accurately reflect and are most beneficial to your industry. The survey is completely confidential, and all questions are optional. It can be accessed here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/pge_wastewater . Please allow 15-30 minutes to respond. Additional information on the goals of study on the study can be viewed by clicking here.

Friday, July 17, 2009

• Senate Democrats Drop Card Check Provision - - A half-dozen senators friendly to labor have decided to drop a central provision of a bill that would have made it easier to organize workers.  The so-called card-check provision — which senators decided to scrap to help secure a filibuster-proof 60 votes — would have required employers to recognize a union as soon as a majority of workers signed cards saying they wanted a union. Currently, employers can insist on a secret-ballot election, a higher hurdle for unions.  The abandonment of card check was another example of the power of moderate Democrats to constrain their party’s more liberal legislative efforts. Though the Democrats have a 60-40 vote advantage in the Senate, and President Obama supports the measure, several moderate Democrats opposed the card-check provision as undemocratic. In its place, several Senate and labor officials said, the revised bill would require shorter unionization campaigns and faster elections. <more> July 17, 2009 NY Times   
   

• Democrat Jerome Horton appointed to state tax board - - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Jerome Horton, a business-friendly former Democratic lawmaker, to the state’s tax board. The pick probably will shift the balance of power on the tax panel, which, despite its low public profile, holds broad influence over corporate taxes. Horton’s appointment is a coup for California’s business lobby, which has regular dealings with the state Board of Equalization. Horton, who was termed out of the state Assembly after six years in 2006, will replace Judy Chu, a liberal Monterey Park Democrat elected to Congress on Tuesday. <more> July 17, 2009 LA Times
   

• Consumer spending and favorable prices drive chicken consumption - - Consumer spending and favorable prices drive chicken consumption, according to a study commissioned by the National Chicken Council and completed last month by Dr. Tomas E. Elam, president of FarmEcon, LLC. Overall consumer spending adjusted for inflation and the relative price of chicken compared to competing meat was found by Elam to be highly correlated with chicken consumption and also explained a very high degree of changes in chicken consumption, Elam told participants at NCC’s Marketing Seminar held this week in California.  Elam explained that record decline in chicken consumption during late 2008 and early 2009 was not the result of a change in the fundamental underlying demand structure for chicken but rather other major factors at work. He cited reduced real consumer income and stepped-up savings rate coupled with higher production costs for chicken. Elam noted that in 2006 there was a decline in chicken prices not fully explained by a change in income or excessive supply. The decline in chicken prices persisted into 2008 and may stem in part from the demise of the Atkins diet boom and the 2005 H5N1 avian influenza global epidemic. Further processed chicken products that gained consumer acceptance in the 1980s and 1990s are credited by Elam as expanding chicken’s market share. As the percentage of chicken being further processed since 2005 has “flatten,” it may be a contributing force slowing consumption increases, Elam said. Increasing the variety of offerings of innovative, value-added products would likely penetrate new markets and expand chicken’s market share, Elam predicted. Elam’s presentation “Consumers Demand for Chicken” is available at http://rhodeislandred.chickenusa.org/CMS09.  No log-in is required. July 17, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• PG&E online survey of efficient energy management for wastewater- - -PG&E is beginning a study of conventional and best practices for energy efficient management of agricultural and food processing wastewater. Results of the study will be used to help customers reduce wastewater treatment and energy costs through financial incentives for optimizing these systems and operations. The first step in this study is to collect information on practices that are currently in use via an online survey. PG&E is encouraging participation by poultry processors to ensure that the results accurately reflect and are most beneficial to your industry. The survey is completely confidential, and all questions are optional. It can be accessed here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/pge_wastewater . Please allow 15-30 minutes to respond. Additional information on the goals of study on the study can be viewed by clicking here.
   

• Animal rights, writ too large? - - Have you seen the billboards around town that say "Protect Your Right to Own a Pet"? They show a child hugging a puppy and provide a website, www.exposeanimalrights.com,   flanked by international "no" symbols (a circle with a slash though it) containing the initials PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and HSUS (Humane Society of the United States). When I first passed one a couple of weeks ago, I was confused. Are we supposed to imagine that a PETA activist is about to snatch the puppy from the boy's hands because it's his "pet" and not his "animal companion"? Or -- and I admit this reaction is the result of living in a neighborhood with, shall we say, "conflicting" philosophies about pet care -- was something else afoot? Was "protect your right to own a pet" code for "protect your sleazy right to keep your dog chained up in the yard all day"? <more> July 16, 2009 LA Times  
   

• Senate acts to retain Social Security No-Match rule - - The Senate this week approved by a vote of 84-6 fiscal year 2010 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that included a provision barring DHS from rescinding its controversial Social Security no-match rule. The Senate vote came just one day after the DHS announced it will be proposing a new regulation that would rescind the no-match rule. The provision barring DHS from rescinding the no-match rule was offered as an amendment to the appropriations bill by Senator David Vitter (R-LA) and was approved by unanimous consent. “The Senate’s unanimous approval of this amendment sends a clear message to the Obama administration that we will not allow weak immigration laws,” Senator Vitter said. “That the Senate passed this amendment on the very next day after the administration stated their intent to rescind the ‘no-match’ rule serves as an even stronger indicator of where Congress stands on this issue,” he said. Said Matt Chandler, DHS spokesman, in response to the Vitter amendment, “The Senator’s actions are designed to prevent real progress on immigration enforcement and are a reflection of the old administration’s strategy: all show, no substance.” The DHS appropriations bill passed by the Senate also contains two other provisions relating to E-Verify. The first would make E-Verify permanent and mandate it for all federal contractors. Contracts for commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items as well as items that would be classified as COTS items, but for minor modifications, would still be exempt. The second provision would allow employers to use E-Verify to verify employment eligibility for all employees and not just new hires. The House-approved version of the DHS appropriations bill, which passed on June 24 does not address the no-match rule. The House version does, however, contain a provision that would provide a two-year extension of the E-Verify program. July 17, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• At Wal-Mart, Labeling to Reflect Green Intent - - Shoppers expect the tags on Wal-Mart items to have rock-bottom prices. In the future they may also have information about the product’s carbon footprint, the gallons of water used to create it, and the air pollution left in its wake. As the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores is on a mission to determine the social and environmental impact of every item it puts on its shelves. And it has recruited scholars, suppliers, and environmental groups to help it create an electronic indexing system to do that. The idea is to create a universal rating system that scores products based on how environmentally and socially sustainable they are over the course of their lives. Consider it the green equivalent to nutrition labels. <more> July 17, 2009 NY Times    
   

• Climate change dividing farm groups? - - The climate change legislation now before the Senate has succeeded in doing something neither the nation’s environmental groups or the Bush administration could do: Create fault lines in the farm bloc. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, also known as the Waxman-Markey bill, H.R. 2454, is drawing decidedly mixed reviews from farm organizations. Some are condemning the bill outright, some seeking significant changes and others are behind it all the way. The American Farm Bureau Federation has taken dead aim at the legislation, which passed the House by a narrow margin (219-212), with AFBF President Bob Stallman recently characterizing it as “embarking on a fool’s errand,” if the United States tries to go it alone on solving the problem. On the other side of the spectrum, the National Farmers Union and American Farmland Trust have been throwing their lobbying efforts behind the legislation, with the AFT claiming its passage would “usher in a new agricultural era.” <more> July 17, 2009 Delta Farm Press
   

• House OKs bill to address Calif. water - - The House of Representatives today approved a $33 billion energy and water bill that includes money for addressing California water problems.  By a 320-97 vote, the House approved the legislation funding the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation for Fiscal 2010. The bill includes $10 million for constructing two projects potentially useful in increasing San Joaquin Valley water supplies.  One project, called the “Intertie,” would connect the federal Delta-Mendota Canal with state canals. The other, called the “Two-Gates” project, would stop fish from being sucked into Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta pumps and thereby allow more irrigation water to flow out of the Delta. The House bill won the support of Reps. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, Jim Costa, D-Fresno and Devin Nunes, R-Visalia. It was opposed by Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa. The House bill must still be reconciled with a Senate version, which is still being written.  July 17, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• Winery looks for a sipper who Twitters - - Most vinophiles can swirl and sip. The Murphy-Goode winery wants one who can sip and click. Hoping to make a splash in the world of social media, the Northern California winery is looking to pay an Internet-savvy wine-lover $10,000 a month for six months in return for tweeting and blogging about the joys of wine country. The move, which comes as more businesses mine the consumer relations possibilities of networks such as Facebook and Twitter, is aimed at reaching new customers and tracking tastes in real time. "Trends in winemaking and wine styles change every five, six years, so it's nice to be able to be on the front edge of that," says Murphy-Goode winemaker David Ready Jr. <more> July 17, 2009 AP 

Thursday, July 16, 2009

• Association of California Egg Farmers comments on withdrawal of egg bill - -  Debbie Murdock, Association of California Egg Farmers (ACEF) executive director, issued the following statement today regarding Assemblymember Jared Huffman’s withdrawal of AB 1437 from this year’s legislative session. The proposed legislation sought to level the playing field by applying Prop. 2 mandates to eggs produced out-of-state. “The Association of California Egg Farmers commends Assemblymember Huffman for authoring legislation that would ensure California consumers’ expectations for animal care and food safety are met, no matter where the eggs are produced. However, we have consistently stated that farmers first need to know exactly how much space to provide an egg-laying hen and what enclosure systems will comply with Proposition 2.” <more> July 16, 2009 ACEF Press Release
   

• Turkey industry asks for measureable public health outcome in food safety system - - National Turkey Federation’s (NTF) Chairman of the Technical and Regulatory Committee told members of the House Agriculture Committee that as the food safety debate moves to the forefront of the congressional agenda, any changes that are enacted should ensure in measurable improvement in public health. “As science and technology improves, it is highly plausible that the food safety inspection process would and should be improved as well,” said NTF Chairman of the Technical and Regulatory Committee Bob Reinhard.  “Changes to FSIS and FDA statutory authority should not be so prescriptive that they stifle innovation and prevent industry, the Secretary of Agriculture, or the Secretary of Health and Human Services from making science-based improvements with definable public health outcomes.” Reinhard explained to committee members that FSIS’ Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) program and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) have yielded significant and measurable successes for the turkey industry as shown by FSIS’ pathogen testing data.  Since 2000, the meat and poultry industry has seen a 74-percent reduction in the incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat products.  Since 1996, the industry has seen a 64-percent reduction in the prevalence of Salmonella on raw turkey carcasses.  Although successful, Reinhard said better attribution data is needed to confirm that these food safety improvements have a correlation to the decline in foodborne illness.  Reinhard said that it is not necessary to re-build a system, but there is an opportunity to enhance a system that is already working.    He then explained, “Now is the time to build on successes and use data with attribution information to drive the changes that will lead to improvements in public health.” “All food safety systems should be designed to manage and reduce risk to the food supply,” Reinhard said.  “Congress may want to consider giving FSIS expanded authority to allocate inspection resources according to risk so that inspectors are focused most closely on those tasks that will have the biggest impact on food safety.” Reinhard closed by encouraging Congress not to pass food safety legislation that focuses primarily on new way to assess blame and punishment when a food safety problem has arisen.  Rather, Reinhard said, Congress should “give USDA and FDA additional tools to collaborate with industry, consumers, academia and all other stakeholders to prevent food safety problems from occurring in the first place.”  Reinhard’s testimony is available on the House Committee on Agriculture’s Web site, http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/statements.html.  July 16, 2009 NTF Press Release
   

• House Ag Chair Chairman concerned over food safety bill - - The House Agriculture Committee chairman threatened Thursday to slow the progress of a food safety bill until the concerns of farm groups are addressed. Minnesota Democrat Collin C. Peterson said he is worried that the bill would allow the Food and Drug Administration to regulate farm activities. “Having read this bill they are clearly, in my opinion, going to be on the farm,” he said at a hearing on the issue. Unless his concerns are met, Peterson said he may hold a markup on the bill and report it out unfavorably. On complicated measures such as this one, bills get reviewed and changed by several committees with jurisdiction over all or perhaps just a portion of the legislation. The first version of the food safety bill (HR 2749) was approved by the Energy and Commerce Committee on June 17. If Peterson’s committee gives the bill what is known as an adverse report, that will have an impact on when — or whether — it is brought up for floor action. <more> July 16, 2009 CQ Politics  
   

• PG&E online survey of efficient energy management for wastewater- - -PG&E is beginning a study of conventional and best practices for energy efficient management of agricultural and food processing wastewater. Results of the study will be used to help customers reduce wastewater treatment and energy costs through financial incentives for optimizing these systems and operations. The first step in this study is to collect information on practices that are currently in use via an online survey. PG&E is encouraging participation by poultry processors to ensure that the results accurately reflect and are most beneficial to your industry. The survey is completely confidential, and all questions are optional. It can be accessed here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/pge_wastewater . Please allow 15-30 minutes to respond. Additional information on the goals of study on the study can be viewed by clicking here.

   

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

• CPF members enjoy summer meeting in coastal setting- - The cool breezes of the Central Coast provided the perfect backdrop for the California Poultry Federation’s summer meeting Monday and Tuesday as more than 80 members, friends and supporters gathered at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach for golfing, fun in the sun and a little bit of business. Monday’s outing at the Avila Beach golf course provided plenty of awards that were handed out at the evening’s reception and dinner at the home of Richard and Kathy Zacky. Golf organizer Marty Jakosa handed out a slew of prizes to deserving golfers. Top prizes included:

  Low Gross: Rich Edwards

  Low Net- Men: Marty Jakosa

  Low Net-Women: Linda Haley

  Longest Drive-Men: Mark Sullivan

  Longest Drive- Women: Pat Nelson

  Closest-to-the-hole- Men: Nick Adams

  Closest-to-the-hole- Women: Kathy Shipley.

  At its Tuesday board meeting, CPF directors heard a legislative update from Michael Boccadoro of The Dolphin Group who reported that animal welfare issues continue to play an increasing role in the Legislature following the successful passage of Prop. 2 last November. Directors also learned that USDA Area Veterinarian in Charger Dr. Kevin Varner will be leaving his post after 3 1/2 years for a similar post in Texas in the next few months. Varner reported that the current “swine flu” pandemic should be a wake up call for the poultry industry as it provided insights into the type of media frenzy and public health community concerns that could prevail during a “bird flu” outbreak. California Department of Food and Agriculture State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Breitmeyer gave a candid assessment of the challenges facing the animal health branch in the face of a shrinking budget and a steady exodus of younger vets to private industry due to more competitive salary packages. Over 70% of the current workforce of 22 CDFA vets faces potential retirement in the next few years and prospects for attracting new candidates do not appear promising.  

  CPF director Evans Keller was fondly remembered at both the reception and dinner at the Zacky home and at the Tuesday board meeting. At the reception, a sign invited CPF members to "Have a shot of Jack Daniels" in memory of Evans, who passed away unexpectedly on June 13. Keller's name plate was placed on the board table in front of  an empty chair at Tuesday's board meeting and his name was read during the roll call as board members honored his many years of service to the California Poultry Federation.

  To view a slide show of photos from the gathering, please click here. July 15, 2009
   

• Administration Seeks to Restrict Antibiotics in Livestock - - The Obama administration announced Monday that it would seek to ban many routine uses of antibiotics in farm animals in hopes of reducing the spread of dangerous bacteria in humans. In written testimony to the House Rules Committee, Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, principal deputy commissioner of food and drugs, said feeding antibiotics to healthy chickens, pigs and cattle — done to encourage rapid growth — should cease. And Dr. Sharfstein said farmers should no longer be able to use antibiotics in animals without the supervision of a veterinarian. Both practices lead to the development of bacteria that are immune to many treatments, he said. The hearing was held to discuss a measure proposed by Representative Louise M. Slaughter, Democrat of New York and chairwoman of the Rules Committee. It would ban seven classes of antibiotics important to human health from being used in animals, and would restrict other antibiotics to therapeutic and some preventive uses. <more> July 14, 2009 NY Times
   

• House livestock antibiotics bill goes to key hearing - - The House Rules Committee held a key hearing July 13 on a bill seeking to limit the use of antibiotics in food animals. The bill, H.R. 1549, was introduced March 17 by Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter, who was a microbiologist before her Congressional career. Many witnesses for Monday's hearing, which were announced on Friday, are proponents of the legislation, with the notable exception of House Agriculture livestock subcommittee chairman Leonard Boswell (D., Iowa).  The bill, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2009, would require the Secretary of Health & Human Services to deny an application for a new animal drug that is a critical animal drug unless the applicant demonstrates there is a reasonable certainty of no harm to human health resulting from antimicrobial resistance, according to the Congressional Research Service.  Additionally, the bill requires the withdrawal of a nontherapeutic use of such drugs in food producing animals two years after the date of enactment "unless certain safety requirements are met," CRS reports. July 15, 2009 Feedstuffs.com
   

• Bill to phase out federal support of corn-based ethanol introduced - - Legislation that would gradually phase out government support for corn-based ethanol over five years and encourage the commercial development of second generation biofuels has been introduced in the House. The Balanced Food and Fuel Coalition, a partnership of meat, livestock and poultry organizations, issued a statement on The Affordable Food and Fuel for America Act:  “We commend the leadership of Reps. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., and Mary Bono Mack, R-Calif., for introducing legislation that is absolutely critical to both producers and consumers of food by controlling volatile commodity markets and ensuring all users of feed grains compete on a level playing field.  This legislation H.R. 3187 would gradually phase out government support for corn-based ethanol over five years and encourage the commercial development of second generation biofuels.  If passed, the bill would permit badly needed adjustments in the corn-based ethanol mandates required by law.  It represents an important step in weaning ethanol from its reliance on government protections to be commercially viable and compete with other commodities that rely on corn as their major input. The Before Food and Fuel Coalition also supports both legislative and regulatory action that will help relieve the volatility and escalation of feed costs, which have significantly affected the cost of poultry and livestock production and ultimately negatively impacted rural jobs and the cost of raising protein for consumption. This is a significant development in the effort to create a more level playing field for all segments of agriculture.  Once again we applaud Reps. Crowley and Mack for their leadership on this critical issue.”  July 14, 2009 Balanced Food and Fuel Coalition
   

• PG&E online survey of efficient energy management for wastewater- - -PG&E is beginning a study of conventional and best practices for energy efficient management of agricultural and food processing wastewater. Results of the study will be used to help customers reduce wastewater treatment and energy costs through financial incentives for optimizing these systems and operations. The first step in this study is to collect information on practices that are currently in use via an online survey. PG&E is encouraging participation by poultry processors to ensure that the results accurately reflect and are most beneficial to your industry. The survey is completely confidential, and all questions are optional. It can be accessed here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/pge_wastewater . Please allow 15-30 minutes to respond. Additional information on the goals of study on the study can be viewed by clicking here.
   

• Humane group formed to dispel ties to HSUS - - A new organization with interests in animal care and welfare has been formed to distinguish local humane societies from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The organization, Local Humane, which can be found online at www.localhumane.org,  makes a disclaimer that its purpose is not to "pass judgment on" HSUS - or any humane society - but to clarify common misconceptions held by the public about HSUS and its relationship to local humane societies. In particular, Local Humane, at its web site, emphasizes that local humane societies are not chapters of and are not governed by HSUS and are not funded by HSUS. The web site does not identify the names of humane societies or individuals behind its creation but says "we are a small group of animal welfare leaders, donors and grassroots marketing professionals," and while "we do not wish to speak out against HSUS, we are, quite frankly, tired of the misperceptions (about a local society relationship to HSUS) that continue and often inhibit real progress in the communities in which we live, work and raise our families. The web site provides a link to subscribe to Local Humane communications and says it can be found on Twitter. July 15, 2009 Feedstuffs.com
   

• NCC urges EPA to reject higher levels of ethanol in gas -- The Environmental Protection Agency should resist the ethanol industry’s demand that it legalize blending of ethanol into motor gasoline up to 15 percent, according to the National Chicken Council.  NCC warned that the higher blend could cause damage to cars and trucks built to run on a maximum of 10 percent ethanol and would create additional volatility in the grain market.  Growth Energy, a group led by Poet Energy, the nation’s largest ethanol distiller, petitioned EPA to raise the legal limit from 10 percent to as much as 15 percent, asserting that the higher blend would make no difference to operation of the 240 million cars and trucks in the United States built to run on conventional fuel.  The petition is opposed by environmental groups and by the manufacturers of engines for motorboats, generators, chainsaws and other equipment, who say the higher level of ethanol can cause malfunctions and deterioration of engine components.  <more> July 15, 2009 WattPoultry.com
   

• USDA AND HHS praise guidelines for foodborne illness outbreak response - -  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today commended the Council to Improve Foodborne Outbreak Response (CIFOR) for the new Guidelines for Foodborne Disease Outbreak Response. These guidelines assist local, state and federal agencies in preventing and managing foodborne disease outbreaks through planning, detection, investigation, control and prevention. "Improving food safety is at the forefront of President Obama's agenda, and these Guidelines will help local, state and federal agencies to prioritize prevention, strengthen surveillance and enforcement, and improve response and recovery," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Last week the Obama Administration took an important step forward by introducing tougher standards to reduce salmonella contamination and E. coli outbreaks, and the Guidelines announced today will help government agencies further that goal." <more> July 15, 2009 USDA Press Release   
   

• Applications for Poultry Science Education Funding Available - – Applications for the Poultry Science Education Fund of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Harold E. Ford Foundation are now available.  The fund supports student recruitment at colleges and universities with poultry science programs that do not have full departments with poultry science degrees.  Any institution of higher education in the United States that offers an identifiable poultry science program is eligible for a recruitment grant of up to $7,000. A committee of poultry science department professionals will evaluate funding requests and make recommendations to the board of directors of the Ford Foundation.  Institutions may apply for a grant by completing the form and submitting nine copies to the U.S. Poultry & Egg Harold E. Ford Foundation by August 1.  The form is available at http://www.poultryegginstitute.org/studentoutreach/docs/psfund.pdf.  Established in 1994, the Ford Foundation funds recruitment and retention efforts at colleges and universities that have full poultry science departments and offer degrees in poultry science.  The Poultry Science Education Fund was added to assist institutions with poultry studies, but without separate departments.  July 15, 2009 USPEA Press Release
   

• Ag snagged in budget bill crossfire  - - Merced County beekeeper Gene Brandi says he had enough problems before getting ensnared in the nasty war of words between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature over California's failure to cure its staggering budget deficit. His Gene Brandi Apiaries in Los Banos, which once produced 400 drums of honey a year, has turned out just 20 drums so far this year as a searing drought has deprived wildland plants of the nectar that bees turn into honey. And Brandi says he is facing competition from food-processing companies that market sugar-added honey products as the real thing. "We've got people who take advantage of the good name of honey to try to sell their product," he says. Now some agricultural producers and Democratic lawmakers say Schwarzenegger and his aides are unfairly exploiting the good names of honey, blueberries, pomegranate juice -- and cow tails -- to bash legislators for fiddling while California burns. The dust-up stirs debate over whether the budget mess should freeze out all other matters -- or whether lawmakers still have a responsibility to continue the business of legislating, no matter how mundane it can appear. <more> July 15, 2009 Sacramento Bee  
   

• Senate Ag Committee talks climate change next week - - The Senate Ag Committee will take up climate change legislation next week. Committee Chair Tom Harkin has called a hearing on the bill next Wednesday, July 22nd to discuss “The Role of Agriculture and Forestry in Global Warming Legislation.” The group is scheduled to hear from Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, White House Director of Science and Technology Dr. John Holdren, American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson and Maine tree farmer Jo Pierce representing the Forest Climate Working Group. July 15, 2009 Brownfield Ag News

Friday, July 10, 2009

• CPF summer meeting kicks off Monday - - The California Poultry Federation's summer meeting will kick off Monday, July 13 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach with a golf tournament, followed by a reception and dinner at the Avila Beach home of Kathy and Richard Zacky. On Tuesday, the CPF board of directors will meet. Their session will include reports from their Sacramento legislative advocate Michael Boccadoro of The Dolphin Group; CDFA veterinarian Dr. Richard Breitmeyer and USDA veterinarian Dr. Kevin Varner. The board will also hear updates on air and water regulations from David Duke, Foster Farms, and the status of the CPF's ongoing animal welfare initiative. Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell Beach. Sponsors to date are Alltech; Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys; Baker Commodities, Inc.; BJK Flexible Packaging; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; International Paper; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Kemin Industries; Lohmann Animal Health; Merial Select, Inc.; Meyn America, LLC; Motomco Ltd.; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International;  Phibro Animal Health; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation.
   

• USDA increases forecast for broiler production for 2009-10 - - Broiler production this year is now expected to be 35.124 billion pounds, 84 million pounds more than the forecast last month and 3.8 percent less than the 36.511 billion pounds in 2008, according to the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate report today from USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board. Next year’s expected output was also upped in today’s report with 35.640 billion pounds now expected, 99 million pounds more than the Board’s June forecast and 1.5 percent more than the 2009 broiler production. Compared with last month’s report, USDA made no changes to its forecast for broiler exports, prices, or stock levels. Total poultry and red meat production for 2009 was reduced slightly as lower beef marketings were not offset by the higher expected production of broilers. Next year’s combined meat production is forecast at 90.864 billion pounds, up 245 million pounds from the Board’s forecast last month and essentially unchanged from the slightly revised forecast of 90.845 billion pounds for 2009. July 10, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• DHS to publish regulation rescinding Social Security No-Match rule - - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Wednesday that it will be proposing a new regulation that will rescind its 2007 Social Security No-Match Rule. The rule, which has been blocked by court order and has never taken effect, established procedures that employers would have to follow if they received a Social Security administration no-match letter or notice from DHS that called into question the work eligibility information provided by an employee. In lieu of no-match letters, DHS said it will strengthen E-Verify, which also addresses data inaccuracies, but in a more timely manner. DHS also indicated that E-Verify provides a more robust tool for identifying unauthorized individuals and combating illegal employment. DHS said it will be publishing a new rule that will expand the use of E-Verify by requiring that federal contracts be awarded only to employers who use E-Verify to check employee work authorization. The current federal contract rule extended the use of E-Verify to cover federal contracts and subcontractors, including those who receive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. The new rule will expand use of the system even further by requiring full implementation, which will apply to federal solicitations and contract awards government-wide starting on September 8. July 10, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• New FSA Livestock Indemnity Program - - Eligible ranchers and livestock producers can begin applying for benefits through the Livestock Indemnity Program on July 13. This program is open to poultry contract growers. This assistance program is contained in the 2008 Farm Bill. "Farm Service Agency administers this program for livestock producers as a safety net to help them overcome the damaging financial impact of natural disasters," said David Schaad, Acting State Executive Director for USDA Farm Service Agency. The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides financial assistance to producers for livestock deaths that result from natural disaster.  LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather, including losses due to hurricanes, floods, blizzards, certain diseases, wildfires, extreme heat and extreme cold. Eligible losses must have occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2008, and before Oct. 1, 2011. Note that drought is not a qualifying event. For more information on available supplemental disaster assistance programs, please visit your FSA county office or http://www.fsa.usda.gov . July 8, 2009 FSA Press Release
   

• House panel rejects Nunes protest of water diversions -- A key House committee has slapped down the latest effort by Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia, to protest the diversion of Central Valley water for environmental protection. On Tuesday night, the House Appropriations Committee rejected Nunes' recurring water amendment by a 33-25 vote. If it had passed, the amendment would have blocked federal spending on decisions that divert irrigation water to protect salmon, the delta smelt and other species.  "People and communities have been replaced by a parade of extreme environmental activists and their misguided causes," Nunes said Wednesday in a statement. <more> July 10, 2009 Fresno Bee  
   

• Obama's drive for climate change bill hits delay - - As President Barack Obama encouraged world leaders meeting in Italy to intensify the fight against global warming, legislation to cut U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases suffered a delay in the Senate on Thursday.  The leading Senate committee responsible for developing the climate change legislation has delayed by at least a month its crafting of a bill, leaving less time for Congress to fulfill Obama's desire to enact a law this year. "We'll do it as soon as we get back" in September from a month-long break, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer announced. Earlier this week, Boxer, a Democrat, said her committee had planned to complete work on a bill by early August. <more> July 10, 2009 Reuters 
   

• CLASSIFIED AD: Plant Operations / General  Manager - - Zacky Farms, a fully integrated poultry processor is seeking a Plant Operations / General  Manager to oversee several processing facilities in Central California. Bachelors or Masters Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, which includes extensive experience in raw and further processed protein production and processing.  Ten plus years in a progressively responsible leadership position in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Requires effective leadership and coaching skills, and a proven track record of success in motivating others. Ability and willingness to promote change and drive improvement. Strong interpersonal, organizational and product management skills, ability to build relationships at all levels and foster and maintain a positive working environment. Will lead, coach and develop  supervisory and production employees. Enforce company  policies, and practices, including compliance with regulations, GMP's, quality and safety. Minimize waste and unnecessary costs, improve efficiencies. Maximize yields and throughputs. Ensure orders are filled timely and meeting quality standards. Ensure compliance with USDA and company standards. Manage relationship with USDA inspectors, auditors and quality. Qualified applicants, please send resume to Jobs@zacky.com   EEOE M/F/D/V Posted July 8, 2009
   

Thursday, July 9, 2009

• Lawmaker to drop California bill on hen cages - - A legislative attempt to make peace in the state's chicken-house wars is fizzling, meaning the dispute between California egg farmers and the Humane Society of the United States over the interpretation of Proposition 2 is unlikely to be resolved this year. This week, both sides announced their opposition to Assembly Bill 1437, which would assign the state Department of Public Health to write rules specifying what living quarters are acceptable for the state's egg-laying hens. "It appears that I have found the sour spot that both sides don't like," said Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, the bill's author. Huffman's district includes large egg producers as well as an electorate that overwhelmingly supported Proposition 2. <more> July 9, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• Poizner rejects 23.7 percent average rate hike for workers' comp premiums - -  Workers' compensation costs are going back up in California, but not nearly as much as an influential panel controlled by the insurance industry had urged. Five years after a controversial overhaul of the state's system produced steep savings, insurers are raising workers' comp premiums in "the high single digits" on average, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said Wednesday. In a conference call with reporters, Poizner said he rejected a 23.7 percent average rate increase proposed in March by the Workers' Compensation Rating Bureau of California, a nonprofit governed largely by insurers. Poizner, who is elected to his post and is running for governor, said a big increase would devastate employers and isn't justified by the data. <more> July 9, 2009 Sacramento Bee   
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell Beach. Sponsors to date are Alltech; Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys; Baker Commodities, Inc.; BJK Flexible Packaging; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; International Paper; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Kemin Industries; Lohmann Animal Health; Merial Select, Inc.; Meyn America, LLC; Motomco Ltd.; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International;  Phibro Animal Health; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  June 23, 2009
   

• USDA names Food Safety Deputy Under Secretary - - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of Jerold R. Mande, M.P.H., as Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In this position, Mande will have responsibility for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the USDA agency which protects public health through food safety and defense by ensuring that the nation's supply of meat, poultry and processed egg products are safe and wholesome. "Jerold Mande brings years of experience in health, nutrition and epidemiology, food safety, and public policy in both government and academia that will greatly serve USDA and the public as we continue to work to protect public health," said Vilsack. <more> July 9, 2009 USDA Press Release   
   

•  Meat and Poultry Industries Represent 6 Percent of Nation’s GDP - - The American Meat Institute released a new economic impact study in June that shows the nation's meat and poultry industry contributes roughly $832 billion, nearly 6% of total gross domestic product, to the U.S. economy, along with nearly 6.2 million jobs and $200 billion in wages and benefits.  President and CEO of AMI J. Patrick Boyle says companies and individuals in America who produce, process, distribute, and sell meat and poultry products continue to be a vital part of the U.S. economy. According to the study, conducted by John Dunham and Associates in New York City, the industry also generates sizable tax revenues: more than $81 billion in revenues to federal, state and local governments and more than $2 billion in state sales taxes. The complete study, which includes state-by-state and congressional district breakdowns, is available here. July 9, 2009 BeefMagazine.com
   

• Falling Grain Prices Cheer Livestock Industry- - A USDA estimate of a bumper crop released June 30 boosted the expected size of the nation's corn harvest to over 87 million acres. “That's a three million acre swing from earlier estimates,” says market analyst for Western Milling, Joel Karlin. “It's hard to overstate the importance of this report to the market,” he added. “It's like finding half a million bushels of corn you didn't know you had.” As a result in the week following – the price of corn traded on the futures market has headed south. “It's going to be cheaper for all end users of corn for the foreseeable future,” predicts Karlin. I believe we will be looking at $3 a bushel corn by October, says Karlin whose company is headquartered at its big Goshen feed mill. If American's corn growers are expanding supply, there also appears to be plenty of crop in the silo considering lackluster export demand and a worldwide recession. Karlin says this adds up to a plentiful supply for next year too. <more> July 9, 2009 Valley Voice
   

• Senate Ag Panel's Members Look to Stake Major Claim in Climate Bill - - Powerful members of the Senate Agriculture Committee are angling to include even more farm and ethanol-friendly provisions to their chamber's energy and climate legislation than the House added to its bill last month. Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and other members of his panel say they want to ensure any effort at wide-ranging climate legislation in the Senate will include all of the provisions that House Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) brokered for the House cap-and-trade bill, H.R. 2454. With the hard-fought Peterson deal as their starting point, the farm state lawmakers could have leverage to capture additional benefits for farmers and ranchers. As Senate leadership aims to advance the bill this fall, agricultural interests could form a formidable coalition. Several key fence-sitters on the bill sit on the Agriculture Committee, and farm interests have wide appeal in the Senate. Each senator has some farm interests in his or her state -- unlike the House, which has more representatives from urban and suburban areas. <more> July 9, 2009 NY Times
   

• Schumer: Immigration bill to be ready by Labor Day - - The lead Democrat steering an immigration overhaul through the Senate said Wednesday he expects to have a bill ready by Labor Day that is more generous to highly skilled immigrant workers than those who are lower skilled and is tough on future waves of illegal immigration. In an interview with The Associated Press, Sen. Chuck Schumer said an immigration bill can be done by the end of the year or early next year that works out disagreements between labor and business interests on the flow of legal foreign workers. "I think we'll have a good bill by Labor Day," said Schumer, D-N.Y. "I think the fundamental building blocks are in place to do comprehensive immigration reform." Schumer said the way to get the bill done is to be very tough on future waves of illegal immigration. He declared himself pro-immigration and said the U.S. should encourage legal immigration and find some kind of path for people now here to find a way to legal citizenship. <more> July 9, 2009 AP  
   

• Farmers in search of unified image - - Two phenomenal presentations of successful public information programs on behalf of agriculture were made recently as California agricultural communications specialists gathered in Sacramento. One program represented animal agriculture in Colorado, and the other represented farmers, processors and agricultural marketers in Kansas. Both programs have had notable impacts on the non-farm public in both states. Public awareness of agriculture's economic and social contributions was measurably increased. While California can boast of well-qualified and dynamic communications specialists to match those who engineered the programs in Colorado and Kansas, the Golden State can't find the gold to design and carry out such programs. The lack has little to do with California's well publicized fiscal dilemma and budget shortfalls. The state's highly diversified agriculture, structured by powerful and well-financed commodity organizations, can't find a way to pool resources behind a sustained public information campaign that can paint an acceptable and attractive picture of the state's agricultural industry. <more> July 9, 2009 Capital Press   

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

• President’s Food Safety Group issues new standards - - The White House has announced new food safety standards for eggs, meats and vegetables. The tougher standards, including stiffer penalties for violators and increased inspections, were developed by President Obama’s Food Safety Working Group.  That group was headed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.  In a Tuesday news conference, Selelius discussed the basic principles behind their recommendations. “Preventing harm to consumers must be our top priority,” said Sebelius. “Secondly, that food safety inspections and enforcement depend on good data and analysis.  Third, that outbreaks must be identified quickly and stopped.” Under the new rules, egg and poultry producers will have to follow new standards designed to reduce salmonella contamination, including increased testing and refrigeration for eggs. And the Food Safety Inspection Service, the Agriculture Department agency that inspects meat, will increase sampling of ground beef ingredients in an effort to better find E. coli contamination. <more> July 8, 2009 Brownfield Ag News    
   

• Feds tighten regs on eggs - - Egg companies would have to tighten their handling procedures for eggs under a new regulation proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA says better procedures could prevent 79,000 cases of food-borne illnesses and 30 deaths caused by consumption of eggs contaminated with the bacterium Salmonella every year. The final rule requires preventive measures during the production of shell eggs in poultry houses and requires subsequent refrigeration during storage and transportation. Egg-associated illness caused by Salmonella is a serious public health problem, the FDA says. Infected individuals may suffer mild to severe gastrointestinal illness, short term or chronic arthritis, or even death. Implementing the preventive measures would reduce the number of Salmonella enteritidis infections from eggs by nearly 60 percent. “Preventing harm to consumers is our first priority,” says Commissioner of Food and Drugs Margaret Hamburg. “Today's action will prevent thousands of serious illnesses from Salmonella in eggs.” <more> July 8, 2009 Central Valley Business Times
   

• Petaluma Poultry Introduces New Environmentally-Friendly "Tray-Less" Packaging --Petaluma Poultry the country’s first and largest organic free range chicken company, today introduces new tray-less packaging for their popular all-natural Rocky The Range Chicken and Rosie Organic Chicken. The new packaging eliminates the Styrofoam tray in favor of freezer-safe leak resistant plastic. Petaluma Poultry will be phasing in the new packaging starting with their most popular cut, boneless skinless chicken breasts, available at many Whole Foods locations in California beginning in early July and at other Natural Retailer locations where the brand is sold. “Our tray-less packaging reduces our overall packaging volume by 73%,” said John Bogert, CMO of Coleman Natural Foods, parent company of Petaluma Poultry. “2.5 million tons of non-recyclable chemical compounds found in Styrofoam end up in landfills each year; removing styrofoam from our packaging results in 73% less volume of waste in the landfill and makes sense for our consumers, our retailers and the environment.” <more> July 8, 2009 Petaluma Poultry Press Release  
   

• State rejects move to increase workers comp rates - - Citing testimony that self-insured employers have been able to reduce overall workers’ compensation costs, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner says Wednesday that he has rejected a rate application from the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau, an insurer-backed group, to raise the Workers’ Compensation Claims Cost Benchmark by 23.7 percent. While the Department of Insurance does not set workers’ compensation insurance rates, an increase in the cost benchmark usually leads to workers compensation insurance premium increases, with small businesses and their employees feeling the brunt of cost increases. “My response to this requested record increase by workers' comp insurance companies is this – No,” says Mr. Poizner. “I will not include avoidable costs in the benchmark. Because of the faltering economy, record unemployment levels, and objections to the proposed increase from employers, I have focused on whether insurers and other parties in the workers' comp system are exhausting every available avenue to control costs before granting any increase to the benchmark. <more> July 8, 2009 Central Valley Business Times     
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell Beach. Sponsors to date are Alltech; Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys; Baker Commodities, Inc.; BJK Flexible Packaging; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; International Paper; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Kemin Industries; Lohmann Animal Health; Merial Select, Inc.; Meyn America, LLC; Motomco Ltd.; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International;  Phibro Animal Health; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  June 23, 2009
   

• Damage totals mount from lack of farm water - - Preliminary figures on damage and losses from drought and water shortages run as high as $1.4 billion, in just five San Joaquin Valley counties. Agricultural commissioners in the five counties report that most of the losses relate to acres not planted or to anticipated yield reductions because of water shortages. About $12 million in losses relate to drought damage to rangeland. The agricultural commissioners agree these loss totals could increase as farmers report final production figures. In the nation's leading county in farm and ranch production value, Fresno, the agricultural commissioner's office estimates 262,000 acres have been idled because of the lack of irrigation water. Using last year's crop report, which estimated production value per acre at an average $2,787, the possible loss totals more than $730 million. <more> July 8, 2009 Ag Alert   
   

• CLASSIFIED AD: Plant Operations / General  Manager - - Zacky Farms, a fully integrated poultry processor is seeking a Plant Operations / General  Manager to oversee several processing facilities in Central California. Bachelors or Masters Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, which includes extensive experience in raw and further processed protein production and processing.  Ten plus years in a progressively responsible leadership position in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Requires effective leadership and coaching skills, and a proven track record of success in motivating others. Ability and willingness to promote change and drive improvement. Strong interpersonal, organizational and product management skills, ability to build relationships at all levels and foster and maintain a positive working environment. Will lead, coach and develop  supervisory and production employees. Enforce company  policies, and practices, including compliance with regulations, GMP's, quality and safety. Minimize waste and unnecessary costs, improve efficiencies. Maximize yields and throughputs. Ensure orders are filled timely and meeting quality standards. Ensure compliance with USDA and company standards. Manage relationship with USDA inspectors, auditors and quality. Qualified applicants, please send resume to Jobs@zacky.com   EEOE M/F/D/V Posted July 8, 2009

Monday, July 6, 2009

• Poultry Financial Management Seminar Analyzes Economic Dynamics - - Poultry industry financial professionals convened in Hilton Head for the 2009 Financial Management Seminar. The annual conference is sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s Poultry & Egg Institute. At the forefront of the program were key economic factors affecting the poultry industry. “Even though I have been negative in some sectors, my outlook on the economy is decidedly positive,” said Dr. Don Ratajczak, nationally prominent consulting economist.  “A continued gain in asset values through next year is the projection.  The economy is trying to right itself but has a few more months to travel before real growth materializes. No more major shocks are likely, although I expect some sluggish performance in the middle of 2010 when government programs begin declining,” he added. Kathy Gaynor, Senior Manager of Consumer Research, Technomic, Chicago, IL, provided a perspective on consumer eating habits and restaurant trends. Gaynor stated, “We are starting to see some silver linings in consumer mindsets on how they view their financial situation with respect to dining out.”  Addressing the economic impact on restaurant spending Gaynor added, “Foodservice continues to be an important part of consumers’ day-to-day lives. We are busier than ever, and we rely on restaurants for dining, but also to socialize and reconnect with friends and family. While there will be challenges ahead for certain segments and players in the industry, those who successfully meet consumer expectations at occasion-appropriate price points will do well,” she said. July 2, 2009 USPEA Press Release
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell Beach. Sponsors to date are Alltech; Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc.; Aviagen Turkeys; Baker Commodities, Inc.; BJK Flexible Packaging; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; International Paper; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Kemin Industries; Lohmann Animal Health; Merial Select, Inc.; Meyn America, LLC; Motomco Ltd.; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International;  Phibro Animal Health; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  June 23, 2009
   

• Vet licensure bill clears Senate committee - - A bill to increase the number of practicing veterinarians in California passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday, June 29. AB107, by Assembly members Cathleen Galgiani, D-Livingston, and Connie Conway, R-Tulare, is intended to address a chronic shortage of food-animal veterinarians. A Senate Appropriations Committee analysis predicts the bill will increase the number of veterinary licenses issued annually in California by 100. The bill has received only unanimous votes so far. It now heads to the Senate floor. It would require the California Veterinary Medical Board to offer the state's licensing exam twice each year instead of once, and would loosen rules for transferring a license from out of state, and for issuing a temporary license. <more> July 2, 2009 Capital Press
   

• Ethanol’s future could turn on regulatory issues - - Potential future growth for corn-based ethanol is far above current production levels. That’s according to energy economist Robert Wisner.What is in doubt, however, is whether the industry can snap back from the idled plants, losses and bankruptcies. Wisner says ethanol’s future could be determined by whether the EPA raises the maximum blend rate to E-15; whether Underwriters Lab approves retail pumps that dispense a 15 percent blend; and whether California and EPA re-think their indirect land use calculations. Wisner notes the 2007 Energy Act mandates the blend of 15-billion gallons of ethanol with gas in 2015, going to 35-billion gallons by 2022. But he says ethanol demand is limited by the E-10 limit for most cars and the small number of flex-fuel vehicles that use blends up to E-85. <more> July 6, 2009 Brownfield Ag News   
   

• Despair flows as fields go dry and unemployment rises -- Water built the semi-arid San Joaquin Valley into an agricultural powerhouse. Drought and irrigation battles now threaten to turn huge swaths of it into a dust bowl. Farmers have idled half a million acres of once-productive ground and are laying off legions of farmhands. That's sending joblessness soaring in a region already plagued by chronic poverty. Water scarcity looms as a major challenge to California's $37-billion agricultural industry, which has long relied on imported water to bloom. The consequences of closing the spigot are already evident here in rural Fresno County, about 230 miles north of Los Angeles. Lost farm revenue will top $900 million in the San Joaquin Valley this year, said UC Davis economist Richard Howitt, who estimates that water woes will cost the recession-battered region an additional 30,000 jobs in 2009. <more> July 6, 2009 LA Times  
   

• Divisive Delta canal now on the fast track - - Chuck Baker grows pears on land his family has worked since 1851 and has a farmer's sensitivity to the plagues of modern agriculture — pesticide regulations, the intrusive hand of federal regulators, the threat to private property posed by wetlands restoration — and, most of all, the need for water. So, he sympathizes with San Joaquin Valley farmers who are short of water this year, but he also has little patience for the argument being trumpeted by valley politicians: that the problems confronted by valley farmers can be reduced to the simple equation of "fish versus farmers." "I don't think we'd be in this situation if they paid any attention to their own rules," Baker said. "They're the ones that ruined the fish. Not me, not me who's been irrigating the same piece of land for 150 years."  The "they" Baker was referring to was not so much his kindred farmers, but the state and federal agencies that ship them Delta water. Those agencies, he said, created the ecological crisis by taking more water out of the Delta than they should have. <more> July 6, 2009 Contra Costa Times
   

Thursday, July 2, 2009

• Foster Farms to reduce contracted growers in Louisiana - - A California-based poultry company that recently took over a closed Louisiana processing plant with assistance from the state says it will not extend contracts to all of the plant's former growers. Foster Farms agreed to buy the shuttered Pilgrim's Pride poultry processing plant in Farmerville for $80 million, with Louisiana contributing $50 million of the purchase price and another $10 million for equipment upgrades. The company's director of marketing services, Ira Brill, said in a statement that independent growers had been providing chickens to both the Farmerville plant and another now-shuttered Pilgrim's Pride plant in Clinton, Ark. "As Foster Farms brings the Farmerville plant up to full capacity, it expects to extend contracts to the vast majority of Louisiana growers, but the regrettable fact is that this single plant cannot fully accommodate a grower base that was previously supplying two plants," Brill said. <more> July 2, 2009 AP   
   

• Immigration Crackdown Shifts Focus to Employers - - The Obama administration announced a crackdown Wednesday on hundreds of companies suspected of employing illegal immigrants, signaling a shift in strategy: going after employers instead of workers. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a unit of the Department of Homeland Security, said that it had begun an audit of 652 U.S. companies to verify whether their employees were eligible to work. Violations could lead to fines, as well as civil and criminal charges. It wasn't clear what steps the government would pursue if it verified that an employer had hired illegal workers, or how severe penalties might be. The announcement came a few months after Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said she wanted to focus immigration enforcement on egregious cases of employers who hire undocumented workers, and sometimes even assist in falsifying their paperwork to avoid detection. <more> July 2, 2009 Wall Street Journal 
   

• Vet licensure bill clears Senate committee - - A bill to increase the number of practicing veterinarians in California passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday, June 29. AB107, by Assembly members Cathleen Galgiani, D-Livingston, and Connie Conway, R-Tulare, is intended to address a chronic shortage of food-animal veterinarians. A Senate Appropriations Committee analysis predicts the bill will increase the number of veterinary licenses issued annually in California by 100. The bill has received only unanimous votes so far. It now heads to the Senate floor. It would require the California Veterinary Medical Board to offer the state's licensing exam twice each year instead of once, and would loosen rules for transferring a license from out of state, and for issuing a temporary license. <more> July 2, 2009 Capital Press
   

• China denies reported ban on chicken imports from U.S. - -Vice minister of Commerce Chen Jian said here Thursday China has no limit on imported chicken from the United States, and the report of such policy is untrue. The Wall Street Journal quoted Thursday James H. Sumner, president the USA Poultry and Egg Exporting Council, who heard from unnamed importers in China that China would stop issuing import permits on the product from July 1. Vice minister Chen made the remarks at a press conference on international investment and trade here in Beijing. The import of chicken is regulated by an automatic approval system that has no specific limit on quantity, Chen said. He said that companies could decide to import chicken according to their need. July 2, 2009 Xinhua News Service  
   

• Pixley Ethanol Plant to Reopen - - With all the state's biofuel plants sitting idle, a signal the recession may be ending for California's ethanol makers is rising from Pixley. “We will be the first to re-open in the state,” likely by the end of July, says Walt Dwelle, partner in Calgren Renewable Fuels that owns an ethanol production plant in Tulare County. Because margins in the business have improved, “I would expect most of the plants would be producing again by the first of the year.” The 50-million-gallon plant was shut down in January not just because it was losing money but because the year-old facility needed some fixes said Dwelle who heads Nella Oil, an independent oil company in the state. <more> July 2, 2009 Valley Voice  
   

• EPA Extends Comment Period for Renewable Fuel Standard - - The U.S. EPA is extending the comment period by 60 days on its proposed rule revising the national Renewable Fuel Standard program, commonly referred to as RFS2. The original comment period was to end on July 27, 2009 and will now end on September 25, 2009. The proposed rule would dramatically increase the volume requirements for renewable fuels, establish four categories of renewable fuels, and require some renewable fuels to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions compared to the gasoline and diesel fuels they displace. These revisions were mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. More information and instructions on submitting comments: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/index.htm  July 2, 2009 EPA Press Release
   

• Michigan legislation to pre-empt HSUS initiatives - - A package of bills has been introduced into the Michigan Legislature to establish a standard for farm animal care. The plan placed before the House Agriculture Committee will define the authority of the Department of Agriculture and the Agriculture Commission as the sole authority to regulate livestock health and welfare.  This action follows similar legislation in Oklahoma. Standards for animal care to be implemented by 2020 will be based on scientific knowledge. An Animal Care Advisory Council will make recommendations for changes to standards and a third party auditing system will be created to oversee the program. <more> July 2, 2009 WattPoultry.com   
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell Beach. Sponsors to date are Alltech; Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc.; Baker Commodities, Inc.; BJK Flexible Packaging; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; International Paper; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Kemin Industries; Lohmann Animal Health; Merial Select, Inc.; Meyn America, LLC; Motomco Ltd.; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International;  Phibro Animal Health; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  June 23, 2009
   

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

• China Is Expected to Block Imports of Chicken From U.S - - China is expected to ban imports of U.S. chicken in coming days, a move likely to deliver a blow to the struggling American chicken industry and escalate trade tensions between the two nations. James H. Sumner, president of the Georgia-based USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, said he learned Tuesday from "several importers" in China that the U.S. wouldn't receive any import permits from the country's ministry of commerce starting July 1.  Mr. Sumner said he has informed the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and that it is looking into the matter. There has been no official confirmation from the Chinese government. Representatives for the U.S. trade representative, the U.S. Agriculture Department and the Chinese Embassy in Washington declined to comment. Mr. Sumner says the potential ban appears to be tied to a provision in the most recent U.S. spending bill that prohibits the USDA from allowing Chinese chicken plants to send poultry products to the U.S. Lawmakers question whether China's chicken processing plants meet U.S. standards. <more> July 1, 2009 Wall Street Journal
   

• Immigration steps-up audits of businesses’ employment records - – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is launching a bold, new audit initiative today by issuing Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to 652 businesses nationwide – which is more than ICE issued throughout all of last fiscal year. The notices alert business owners that ICE will be inspecting their hiring records to determine whether or not they are complying with employment eligibility verification laws and regulations. Inspections are one of the most powerful tools the federal government has to enforce employment and immigration laws. This new initiative illustrates ICE’s increased focus on holding employers accountable for their hiring practices and efforts to ensure a legal workforce. <more> July 1, 2009 ICE Press Release  
   

• South Carolina General Assembly to legislate livestock, poultry care - - The General Assembly of South Carolina passed S.453 legislating the care of livestock and poultry. Under the legislation, units of local government cannot enact ordinances, orders or other regulations concerning care and handling, interpreted as “accepted animal husbandry practices.” SCnow.com reported that the intent of the legislation is to “occupy the field of regulation of care and handling with all local laws and ordinances preempted and superceded by laws enacted by the General Assembly." July 1, 2009 WattPoultry.com
   

• The egg industry is OK - - I spent most of this week with a group of egg producers from around the world, and the clear message was that the egg industry is doing fine right now. I attended Hy-Line’s International Technical School in Des Moines, Iowa, an event that they host every two years. This was by far the largest group that has ever attended this school: 115 producers from 27 countries and five continents. More than half of the attendees were from Latin America (representing 9 countries), and there was a large French delegation, but the rest of the world was also well represented. (Simultaneous translation of the conferences was done in Spanish, French and Russian.) The fact that this was the largest group ever at this school speaks volumes about the state of the industry, since the attendees had to pay their own travel and lodging expenses. When things are bad, travel is one of the first things that is cut. <more> July 1, 2009 AnimalAgNet.com
   

• Arkansas poultry companies ask for delay of pollution trial -  - A dozen Arkansas poultry companies being sued by Oklahoma's attorney general for polluting the Illinois River watershed with chicken waste have asked a judge to postpone the trial.  The companies said they want to push back the Sept. 21 trial date because they need more time to handle all the paperwork from Attorney General Drew Edmondson's office. The companies said his office has been submitting hundreds of pages of expert testimony and sampling data. "Despite this court's repeated admonitions and instructions, plaintiffs have continued with improper attempts to supplement their expert-based case with new sampling data and previously undisclosed expert analyses and opinions," according to the motion filed Tuesday in Tulsa federal court. <more> July 1, 2009 Pine Bluff Commercial   
   

• Industry responds to HSUS interview  - - Livestock producers took to the airwaves this morning to respond to yesterday’s interview by AgriTalk’s host Mike Adams of Wayne Pacelle, Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) president. “We’re here to help animals, not hurt them,” a Missouri poultry producer asserted this morning on AgriTalk’s call-in radio program. He cited personal experience, and said that there are numerous independent research studies on poultry housing that show that mortality rates double — or even triple — for laying hens raised cage-free versus those housed in cages due to natural animal crowding behavior. “How is that humane?” he asked incredulously. Adams recalled Pacelle’s claim that HSUS is willing to work with agriculture to develop better conditions for animals; however, that conversation seems to be a one-way street. HSUS is willing to sit at the negotiating table as long as agriculture agrees with what HSUS wants. <more> July 1, 2009 Dairy Herd Management
   

• AgriTalk Interview with Wayne Pacelle  - - Transcript of AgriTalk interview with Host Mike Adams, June 30th, 2009, featuring Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO, Humane Society of the United States. - - Mike Adams – We have had a lot questions about where you come down on animal rights and welfare. The livestock industry and people I know believe in the humane treatment of animals. There is a difference between animal welfare and animal rights. How do you define the two? Are they same or different? Wayne Pacelle – We at the Humane Society of the United States don’t talk about animal rights, but human responsibility. That places us more with the comments that you represent from the agriculture community. In almost al of our campaigns and activities, whether it’s Prop 2 in California or prior ballot measures in Florida or Arizona, or in our Hallmark/Westland investigation, where we exposed the terrible mistreatment at a cull cow slaughter plant of the spent dairy cows, or in some other campaigns, those fit squarely in the realm of animal welfare. They relate not whether animals should be used for food, but how they are treated during production, transport and slaughter. <more> July 1, 2009 BovineVetOnline.com
   

• Nearly 4,000 people march in Fresno for water - - Thousands of farmers, farmworkers and their supporters rallied at City Hall on Wednesday, calling on federal officials to ease regulations that have cut water supplies to the nation's most prolific growing region. "Water makes the difference between the Garden of Eden and Death Valley," said comedian Paul Rodriguez, who acts as a spokesman for the Latino Water Coalition, a group lobbying for changes in water delivery policy regarding the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The noon rally was organized by the grower-funded group, which also organized an April march from Mendota to the San Luis Reservoir hoping to draw national attention to the issue. The rally came on the heels of a visit Sunday by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who assigned his chief deputy to stay in California to work full-time on solving the delta's many problems. <more> July 1, 2009 AP   
   

• Ohio livestock measure slated for ballot - - Ohio farm families joined lawmakers to support a measure that would help ensure animal well-being, consumer choice and the availability of Ohio-grown food, according to a Ohio Farm Bureau Federation release. The Ohio House and Senate Agriculture Committees have passed joint resolutions that will allow Ohio to create a Livestock Care Standards Board to supervise how farm animals are raised. The Ohio House approved the resolution by a vote of 84-13. The measure will be placed before voters in November. July 1, 2009 WattPoultry.com
   

• 'Organic' label doesn't guarantee quality or taste - - I don't believe in organic. There, I've said it and I feel better. It's something that's been on my mind for years. Now, don't get me wrong: I've got nothing against organic farmers. In fact, some of my favorite farmers are organic. I really admire them: Growing delicious food and doing it according to organic standards is adding a degree of difficulty that I wouldn't wish on anyone. But a lot of my favorite farmers aren't organic, and therein lies the rub. This may shock some people, and for that I guess I ought to apologize. But really, if I'm honest, I think the ones who need to do the apologizing are the often-well-meaning organic advocates who paint such a black-and-white picture of the way farming works that it seems there should be no choice at all. <more> July 1, 2009 LA Times
   

• California chain restaurants must fork over calorie counts under new law - - Dining at some restaurants will be a new experience starting today, when California becomes the first state to require that chain restaurants supply calorie counts for virtually everything they serve. "Consumers should be able to make informed decisions about their health and it will raise the consciousness of how much we eat," said John Rogers, Sacramento County environmental health division chief. There will be no guessing – or denial – about that double Western Bacon Cheeseburger from Carl's Jr.: 960 calories. Side of Chili Cheese Fries to go with that? 990 calories. Maybe stick to the fried zucchini at 330 calories? The new law requires restaurants with at least 20 stores in California – about 17,000 locations statewide – to provide a brochure on site listing calories, sodium, saturated fat and carbohydrates for each menu item. Both sit-down and drive-through restaurants must comply. <more> July 1, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• We're Getting A Bad Feeling About Our Food - - Editor's Note: Gut Check is a new biweekly column on the politics of food.  "Does for the supermarket what 'Jaws' did for the beach," says Variety's John Anderson. "Everyone should see 'Food, Inc.,' " enthuses this newspaper. It's high praise, and not undeserved: "Food, Inc." is certainly an important film. But, like the movement that spawned it, it's also a frustrating one. It's driven less by a thesis than by an intuition: Something is wrong with our food production system. It's just not clear what. Over the course of 94 minutes, we wander through meatpacking plants and fast-food drive-throughs and the halls of Congress. We meet a mother who lost her son to tainted meat and a farmer who can no longer stomach Tyson's treatment of her chickens. We stop in with a hyper-charismatic farmer who pets his pigs and preaches sustainability and loathes corporate cash cows, then travel with a hippie yogurt baron who touts his company as the ethical future of big-box food.  <more> July 1, 2009 Washington Post

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

• Florez pulls antibiotic bill from Assembly Ag Committee sharing – - Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) has pulled his latest version of legislation regarding antibiotics in animal agriculture. SB 562 would mandate a warning on the label of any animal product derived from an animal that was administered a non-therapeutic dosage of an antibiotic. The legislation was scheduled to be heard at the Assembly Ag Committee hearing on Wednesday, July 1, but was pulled at Florez’s request. He indicated he would make it a two-year bill.  Many legislative observers felt this new attempt at antibiotic labeling faced a rough road ahead as federal labeling laws preempt any attempts by state governments to label products. June 30, 2009
   

• Maryland’s Attorney General “Provably Wrong” About Safety of Chicken, NCC Says - - The Attorney General of Maryland, Douglas Gansler (D), has written an opinion article in The Washington Post stating that chicken is “laced with arsenic.” Mr. Gansler is wrong: absolutely, provably wrong. If Mr. Gansler were actually to read up on this subject, rather than take his lead from various activists, he would study the findings of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, which is the federal agency charged with monitoring the presence of arsenic and other substances in certain foods.  Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is widely found. As the World Health Organization puts it: “Arsenic is ubiquitous, found in air, water, fuels, and marine life. The daily human intake of arsenic contained in food is in the range 0.5–1 milligrams.” Because trace amounts of arsenic occur widely, the FDA sets a tolerance level in foods. For chicken, that level is 0.5 parts per million. <more> June 30, 2009 NCC Press Release   
   

• A Deadly Ingredient in a Chicken Dinner- - By Douglas Gansler, Maryland Attorney General - - Most people don't know that the chicken they eat is laced with arsenic. The ice water or coffee they enjoy with their chicken may also be infused with arsenic. If they live on or near a farm, the air they breathe may be infected with arsenic dust as well.  Why do our chicken, our water and our air contain arsenic? Because in the United States, most major poultry producers add an arsenic compound known as roxarsone to their chicken feed. Inorganic arsenic is a Class A carcinogen that has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and declines in brain function. Recent scientific findings show that most Americans are routinely exposed to between three and 11 times the Environmental Protection Agency's recommended safety limit.  The poultry industry has been using the feed additive roxarsone -- purportedly to fight parasites and increase growth in chickens -- since the Food and Drug Administration approved it in 1944. Turns out that the arsenic additive promotes the growth of blood vessels in chicken, which makes the meat appear pinker and more attractive in its plastic wrap at the grocery store, but does little else. The arsenic additive does the same in human cells, fueling a growth process known as angiogenesis, a critical first step in many human diseases such as cancer. <more> June 29, 2009 Washington Post  
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell Beach. Sponsors to date are Alltech; Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc.; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; International Paper; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Kemin Industries; Lohmann Animal Health; Merial Select, Inc.; Meyn America, LLC; Motomco Ltd.; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International;  Phibro Animal Health; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  June 23, 2009
   

• Foster Farms launches ‘Say No to Plumping' website - - "Plumping" - or injecting fresh chicken with useless saltwater that costs shoppers their money and health - is giving consumers and experts plenty to squawk about. The issue is gaining steam with a Los Angeles Times article which quotes national experts including the American Heart Association and New York University's Marion Nestle decrying "hidden salt in chicken." Consumers who have learned of this little known practice are turning to social media to express their dissatisfaction. As part of its "Say No To Plumping" consumer awareness campaign, Foster Farms, the West's leading poultry producer, today launched a new online resource for consumers who are concerned about saltwater-injected or "plumped" fresh chicken and want to learn more. Foster Farms does not inject its fresh poultry products labeled "100% Natural."  The new Web site, www.saynotoplumping.com,  features two new feathery characters, Betsy and Martha, who discuss the health and cost implications of plumping, a practice long employed by some major national poultry brands. The site also includes plumping facts and figures, how to detect a plumper, links to health resources and an interactive Plumpinator calculator to help site visitors calculate how much money they waste on saltwater from plumped chicken each year. The web site was designed by San Francisco-based advertising agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.   <more>  June 29, 2009 Foster Farms Press Release  

 Monday, June 29, 2009

• Foster Farms launches ‘Say No to Plumping' website - - "Plumping" - or injecting fresh chicken with useless saltwater that costs shoppers their money and health - is giving consumers and experts plenty to squawk about. The issue is gaining steam with a Los Angeles Times article which quotes national experts including the American Heart Association and New York University's Marion Nestle decrying "hidden salt in chicken." Consumers who have learned of this little known practice are turning to social media to express their dissatisfaction. As part of its "Say No To Plumping" consumer awareness campaign, Foster Farms, the West's leading poultry producer, today launched a new online resource for consumers who are concerned about saltwater-injected or "plumped" fresh chicken and want to learn more. Foster Farms does not inject its fresh poultry products labeled "100% Natural."  The new Web site, www.saynotoplumping.com,  features two new feathery characters, Betsy and Martha, who discuss the health and cost implications of plumping, a practice long employed by some major national poultry brands. The site also includes plumping facts and figures, how to detect a plumper, links to health resources and an interactive Plumpinator calculator to help site visitors calculate how much money they waste on saltwater from plumped chicken each year. The web site was designed by San Francisco-based advertising agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.   <more>  June 29, 2009 Foster Farms Press Release  
   

• Florez introduces Constitutional amendment banning the use of “nontherapeutic” antibiotics in meat and poultry - - Apparently looking for every possible legislative vehicle available to push forward his agenda, Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) has introduced legislation to amend the California Constitution to ban the use of “nontherapeutic” antibiotics in meat and poultry. SCA 23 was introduced June 24 by Florez. The measure is not subject to bill deadlines and can be moved at any time. The measure requires a two-third vote of both the Assembly and the Senate to be placed on the ballot and then would require approval of a majority of the voters to amend the state’s Constitution.  June 29, 2009            
   

• Florez’s antibiotic bill up for hearing Wednesday before Assembly Ag Committee- - Sen. Dean Florez's (D-Shafter) latest attempt to limit the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. will be heard Wednesday before the Assembly Agriculture Committee. Florez has turned to a tried and true tactic known as “gut and amend” whereby he took an existing bill, SB 562 that dealt with the citrus industry, and amended it so that it now mandates a warning on the label of any animal product derived from an animal that was administered a non-therapeutic dosage of an antibiotic. Many legislative observers believe that this new attempt at antibiotic labeling faces a rough road ahead as federal labeling laws preempt any attempts by state governments to label products. The Assembly Ag Committee hearing begins at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1 in Room 126 of the Capitol.  June 24, 2009   
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell Beach. Sponsors to date are Alltech; Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; International Paper; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Kemin Industries; Lohmann Animal Health; Merial Select, Inc.; Motomco Ltd.; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International;  Phibro Animal Health; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  June 23, 2009
   

• Bank of America partners with HSUS - - Just when you thought the banks couldn’t make things any worse for themselves. Bank of America found itself in hot water last week for partnering with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The bank’s MyExpression program is offering an HSUS checking account, and a Visa check and credit card. Both of these products financially support HSUS. According to the Bank of America, it will donate 25 cents to the animal rights organization for every $100 in purchases made with the HSUS WorldPoints Platinum Plus Visa credit card. CattleNetwork has issued a template letter for livestock producers to submit to Bank of America expressing their concerns about providing financial support to HSUS. This template can be viewed at on their website at www.cattlenetwork.com.  In response to this, Bank of America senior vice president in Amarillo, Texas issued a letter to the cattle industry which is also posted on CattleNetwork’s website referencing the importance of the industry to Bank of America and says “the matter has been elevated and is being looking into so that we can further address your concerns.”  June 29, 2009 National Meat Assn. Newsletter
   

• House Passes Clean Energy Legislation with Significant Benefits for Agriculture - - The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation that will allow farmers, ranchers and forestland owners to fully participate in a market-based carbon offset program, earning income for activities they undertake to address global climate change. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson (MN) worked with the authors of the American Clean Energy and Security Act  of 2009 (H.R. 2454) to include several important programs that recognize and reward the agriculture and forestry sector for conservation activities and clean energy production. Under the legislation passed by the House, the agriculture and forestry sectors are clearly exempt from the bill's greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements, which means that farmers, ranchers and forestland owners will not be subject to the greenhouse gas emissions cap. <more> June 26, 2009 House Ag Committee Press Release
   

• Climate change bill alters ‘indirect land use’ rule - - The American Clean Energy and Security Act-the climate change bill passed by the House-includes language that would alter the “indirect land use change” penalty provisions of the 2007 energy law.  In a nutshell, it exempts ethanol from indirect-land-use analysis for five years and subjects the theory to further study. Tom Buis is the CEO of the ethanol advocacy group Growth Energy.  “The precedence is so dangerous for American agriculture,” Buis says, “to say you’re going to make your farming decisions and you’re going to make your energy decisions based on how other countries farm or utilize land use changes, not based upon what’s best for this country.” <more> June 29, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• Salazar assigns deputy as Calif. water czar - - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Sunday announced several steps he hoped would ease the toll of the state's water shortage on farmers, and said he would assign a top deputy to help find solutions. At a spirited town hall meeting in California's agricultural heartland, Salazar told a packed auditorium that Deputy Interior Secretary David J. Hayes will "bring all of the key federal agencies to the table" to coordinate efforts. Salazar said he wanted to direct $160 million in Recovery Act funds for the federal Central Valley Project, which manages the dams and canals that move water around the state, and will expedite water transfers from other areas. Members of the San Joaquin Valley congressional delegation told Salazar that three years of drought were forcing farmers to fallow hundreds of thousands of acres and idle farmworkers. <more> June 29, 2009 AP   
   

• PLF asks for convening of ‘God Squad’ to address state’s water emergency - - Pacific Legal Foundation announced that it has formally requested both President Barack Obama and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to act to convene a special federal panel – nicknamed the “God Squad” – to address California’s water emergency caused by harsh federal environmental restrictions that dramatically reduce the flow of water to millions of agricultural and urban water users. On Monday, June 29, PLF’s online petition will go “live” at www.pacificlegal.org, allowing members of the general public to add their signatures to a call for President Obama, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and Governor Schwarzenegger to act to convene the “God Squad.” <more> June 29, 2009 PLF Press Release  

   

Friday, June 26, 2009

• House approves cap-and-trade bill, 219-212 - - House Democrats and President Obama squeaked out a historic legislative victory today as the House voted, 219-212, to approve a comprehensive global warming bill that sets mandatory limits on U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. 211 Democrats and 8 Republicans voted to adopt sweeping legislation following a frenzied final week of lobbying that included personal pleas from Obama and GOP pledges of political payback. The floor vote was as close as many expected, with 44 Democrats bucking their president and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in opposition to the legislation. June 26, 2009 AP

• Florez’s antibiotic bill up for hearing Wednesday before Assembly Ag Committee- - Sen. Dean Florez's (D-Shafter) latest attempt to limit the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. will be heard Wednesday before the Assembly Agriculture Committee. , Florez has turned to a tried and true tactic known as “gut and amend” whereby he took an existing bill, SB 562 that dealt with the citrus industry, and amended it so that it now mandates a warning on the label of any animal product derived from an animal that was administered a non-therapeutic dosage of an antibiotic. Many legislative observers believe that this new attempt at antibiotic labeling faces a rough road ahead as federal labeling laws preempt any attempts by state governments to label products. The Assembly Ag Committee hearing begins at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1 in Room 126 of the Capitol.  June 24, 2009   
   

• Dan Huber elected to NCC board of directors - - Dan Huber, senior vice president-Operations, Foster Farms, is one of six new directors elected to the National Chicken Council board of directors at its summer meeting held last week in California. Also elected were:  Gregg Berens, senior vice president-Keystone USA Proteins, Keystone Foods LLC, Huntsville, Alabama; John Comino, general manager, Southern Hens, Inc., Moselle, Mississippi; Mark Kaminsky, chief operating officer/chief financial officer, Koch Foods, Park Ridge, Illinois; Dave Pogge, president, Mountaire Farms, Millsboro, Delaware, and Robert Turley, president and chief executive officer, Allen Family Foods, Seaford, Delaware. June 26, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell Beach. Sponsors to date are Alltech; Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; International Paper; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Kemin Industries; Lohmann Animal Health; Merial Select, Inc.; Motomco Ltd.; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International;  Phibro Animal Health; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  June 23, 2009
   

• Interior chief Salazar to hold water town hall meeting Sunday in Fresno - - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will hold a town hall meeting on water supply issues and challenges facing California on Sunday, June 28, in Fresno. The meeting is scheduled to run from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fresno State Satellite Student Union, 2485 East San Ramon Avenue, Fresno. Also in attendance will be Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Mike Connor and members of the California Congressional Delegation. June 26, 2009 DOI Notice
   

• Water rally set for Fresno Wednesday - - The California Latino Water Coalition is planning a rally for water at Fresno City Hall on Wednesday, July 1.  The groups will assemble at 11a.m. on P Street between Fresno and Tulare Streets in downtown Fresno. The rally is being organized to call attention to the recent National Marine Fisheries biological opinions setting rules for water rereleases to protect endangered species in the Delta. For more information about the rally, contact Angela Vega (559) 488-3541, Shawn Coburn (559) 696-7777, Ryan Ferguson (559) 469-6804 or Mario Santoyo (559) 799-0701. June 26, 2009 Latino Water Coalition Notice
   

• Chinese now own Central Valley food company - - Olam International Limited of Singapore has bought most of the assets of Central Valley tomato processing company SK Foods LP and its wholly owned subsidiary RHM Industrial/Specialty Foods Inc. out of bankruptcy for $39 million. Olam Tomato Processors Inc., a subsidiary of the Chinese company, will operate the plants in Lemoore and Colusa. It was not immediately known how many of SK’s employees will keep their jobs. Established in 1990, SK Foods was privately owned by the Scott Salyer family and is the second largest Californian tomato processor with 14 percent market share in the U.S. It is estimated to be the fourth largest globally with a global market share of 5 percent, says Olam. <more> June 26, 2009 Central Valley Business Times   
   

• For the Farm Lobby, Too Much Is Never Enough - - By Steven Pearlstein - - With the possible exception of the ski industry, it's hard to think of any sector of the economy that will be hit harder by global warming than agriculture. A report out last week from scientists at 13 government agencies found that climate change is happening more quickly than we thought and that by the end of the century, many farmers will face scorching summer weather, severe storms, prolonged drought and swarms of new insects. Given those prospects, you might expect the farm lobby to be in the vanguard of those pushing for enactment of legislation to cap the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere. But that wouldn't be Elmer, would it? True to form, he has demanded another boost in his already lavish government subsidies before he'll even consider doing something about global warming. Let's review the bidding. Because they are the source of most carbon emissions, factories, power plants and oil refineries would all be covered by the caps and be required to buy the permits, or allowances, as they are called. The one major source that is not covered is the American farm. From the start, everyone agreed that it would be an administrative nightmare to try to measure and regulate the amount of carbon produced on each farm. Given the power of the farm lobby, everyone agreed that it was also a political non-starter. But, for farmers, it wasn't enough to get a free pass on carbon emissions. They are unhappy that the effect of the caps and pollution permits will be to raise the price of their fuel, fertilizer and electricity. No matter that other Americans will suffer similar effects. In the mind of the entitled American farmer, any increase in costs or reduction in revenue -- whether from natural causes, market forces or government regulation -- must be compensated for by the government. <more> June 26, 2009 Washington Post

Thursday, June 25, 2009

• Plan to sell part of California workers' comp insurer State Fund faces opposition - - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to raise $1 billion by selling part of the state's scandal-plagued workers' compensation insurance company is running into strong flak from small-business advocates, the insurance industry and the state's elected insurance commissioner. The governor wants to help reduce a $24-billion budget deficit by giving private insurers a chance to buy about half of customers' policies at the government-controlled State Compensation Insurance Fund. Opponents got a powerful new voice Wednesday when Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner warned that "a hasty or ill-considered sale could wreak havoc on the already volatile workers' compensation market." <more> June 25, 2009 LA Times  
   

• Assembly passes stopgap money-raising bills; governor vows veto - - Unusually unified legislators were moving today to prevent the state from issuing IOUs next week by delaying some payments to schools and local governments - but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger warned he would veto the maneuver. On votes of 69-0 and 54-0, Assembly members passed two of three bills designed to free up cash and buy the state time while legislators and Schwarzenegger wrestle with the bigger task of healing a gaping wound in the state budget. The third bill was also expected to be approved by the Assembly, and the state Senate was also expected to pass them. But in a written statement, Schwarzenegger repeated his earlier demand that the entire deficit be addressed at one time. <more> June 25, 2009 Sacramento Bee   
   

• 'Card check' threatens labor law's security - - By Don Curlee- - So few California farm laborers are unionized that most growers have paid little attention to the "card check" issue now before the state legislature. SB 789, the scheme to allow workers to pledge themselves to a union without going through the secret election process has been introduced for the third consecutive year. Both previous attempts were vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The matter is of infinitely greater concern this time because pressure is being applied by national unions and many Democrat congressmen to establish a similar system at the national level. Approval by Congress will make it much harder to resist the unsavory practice at the state level. <more> June 25, 2009 Capital Press 
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell Beach. Sponsors to date are Alltech; Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; International Paper; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Kemin Industries; Lohmann Animal Health; Motomco Ltd.; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International;  Phibro Animal Health; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  June 23, 2009
   

• National Rendering Association Will Join 2010 International Poultry Expo - - Recognizing the natural relationship with the poultry and feed industries, the National Rendering Association will be a new affiliate at the 2010 International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo. The NRA is an alliance of companies that specialize in recycling and adding value to animal by-products, resulting in a variety of profitable products such as protein meals and pet foods. Sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and the American Feed Industry Association, the 2010 Expos will be held January 27-29, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.  It is known around the world as the networking hub for the global poultry and feed industries. This new initiative establishes the International Rendering Expo (IRE).  NRA will be centrally located in the IRE in a B Hall exhibit booth to highlight their programs and services and promote the rendering industry.  Their presence expands the programs, scope, and overall appeal of the show to the rendering industry and enhances the interaction between the poultry, feed, and rendering segments.  Already with a strong contingent, such as Dupps, Haarslev, Anco-Eaglin, American Proteins, Griffin Industries, and Valley Proteins, the addition of even more rendering-related companies will make the combined 2010 Expos the largest exposition of rendering-based exhibitors in the world. June 25, 2009 USPEA Press Release  
   

• Air quality board to consider fee on emissions - - Many California businesses could soon face the nation's first state fee for emitting greenhouse gases, under a proposal state air quality regulators will discuss today. The fee - about 12 cents per metric ton of carbon dioxide - is not designed to penalize emissions. Instead, it would pay for creating and enforcing the state's global warming regulations, the result of California's landmark 2006 law to fight climate change. If approved by the California Air Resources Board, the fee would not apply to every California business or industry. Oil refineries, cement factories and electric utilities would bear most of the cost, with a typical refinery paying an estimated $1.3 million per year. <more> June 25, 2009 SF Chronicle
   

• Democratic leaders run into bumps on climate change bill - - Democratic leaders are running into bumps in passing a climate-change bill through the U.S. House of Representatives this week - including opposition within the party's own ranks. The fiscally conservative wing of the party, known as the Blue Dog Democrats, is proving the biggest obstacle. Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D. said on Wednesday that intends to vote "no." Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., declined to say he would vote for the bill. That adds to the list of Blue Dogs who are withholding support; four other members voted against the legislation in a committee vote last month. In the meantime, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., said that a painstakingly crafted deal aimed at drawing the support of farm-state lawmakers mightn't have attracted as many votes from within the committee as he expected.  "There are going to be more 'nos' than I thought," Peterson told reporters. "There are people that I thought would be OK if I fixed this. They were actually against this and were hiding behind me." Still, Peterson expects the climate-change bill to pass. Democrats hold 256 seats and will need 218 votes to pass the bill. Among the planned changes is putting the Agriculture Department, rather than the Environmental Protection Agency, in charge of determining which agricultural practices qualify as "offsets," or activities that avoid or reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. <more> June 25, 2009 Wall Street Journal
   

• Ohio Livestock Standards Board approved - - The Ohio Senate has unanimously approved a resolution that would allow voters to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, which would provide oversight of how farm animals are raised. The House approved its version of the resolution yesterday by a vote of 84-13. According to the Ohio Farm Bureau, the final version of the resolution, once approved, will put the measure on the November ballot. The board will comprise a broad base of experts in livestock and poultry care, including family farmers, veterinarians, a food safety expert, a representative of a local humane society, members from statewide farm organizations, the dean of an Ohio agriculture college and members representing Ohio consumers. <more> June 25, 2009 Dairyherd.com  

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

• Florez’s antibiotic bill resurfaces in new form - - Apparently not one to take No for an answer, state Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) has come up with a new take on his proposed legislation to limit the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. With the deadline for introducing new legislation past and his antibiotic legislation SB 416 placed on suspense by his colleagues after suffering a crushing defeat on the Senate floor, Florez turned to a tried and true tactic known as “gut and amend” whereby he took an existing bill, SB 562 that dealt with the citrus industry, and amended it so that it now mandates a warning on the label of any animal product derived from an animal that was administered a non-therapeutic dosage of an antibiotic. Many legislative observers believe that this new attempt at antibiotic labeling faces a rough road ahead as federal labeling laws preempt any attempts by state governments to label products. June 24, 2009   
   

• Ag chair Peterson agrees to climate change bill with ag provisions - - Democrats in the House of Representatives on Tuesday said they had reached a deal on difficult agriculture issues in a climate change bill, clearing the way for a vote and probable passage in the chamber this week. "We have an agreement finally," said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, whose support had been widely sought by House Democratic leaders. Peterson declared he is now prepared to vote for the controversial bill. Representative Henry Waxman, a main proponent for legislation to reduce industrial emissions of carbon dioxide associated with global warming, told reporters: "I think we will have the majority to pass the bill." In announcing the deal after briefing a group of moderate Democrats, Waxman said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, not the Environmental Protection Agency, would be put in charge of overseeing certain steps to be taken by farmers to reduce carbon emissions. Known as "offsets," the program would allow farmers to claim achievements in reducing carbon pollution by planting trees or taking other environmental actions. But the agriculture community objected to EPA overseeing the program and insisted that the more sympathetic USDA do the job. "We agreed that we would have the USDA run the program and we will seek guidance from the administration to figure out the appropriate role for EPA," Waxman said. <more> June 24, 2009 Reuters   
   

• Ag Chair Peterson statement on climate change bill - - House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson issued the following statement on an agreement with House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. "We have reached an agreement that works for agriculture and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. The climate change bill will include a strong agriculture offset program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will allow farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners to participate fully in a market-based carbon offset program. This agreement also addresses concerns about international indirect land use provisions that unfairly restricted U.S. biofuels producers and exempts agriculture and forestry from the definition of a capped sector." June 24, 2009 House Ag Committee Press Release
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell Beach. Sponsors to date are Alltech; Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; International Paper; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Kemin Industries; Lohmann Animal Health; Motomco Ltd.; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International;  Phibro Animal Health; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  June 23, 2009
   

• Interior chief sets drought meet in Fresno Sunday - - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, his top deputy and members of the California congressional delegation will be in Fresno on Sunday for a hastily scheduled public hearing about drought and water shortages. The unusual hearing will be Salazar’s first visit to the southern San Joaquin Valley, and comes as the region’s lawmakers agitate for more federal aid. The town hall meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The location has not been set. Joining Salazar will be Deputy Interior Secretary David J. Hayes, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Mike Connor and several Valley lawmakers. They plan a 90-minute town hall-style meeting. <more> June 24, 2009 Fresno Bee  
   

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

• Chicken Farms—The Real Story - - The National Chicken Council has produced a two-minute video providing a glimpse at how commercial chickens are raised at a Delaware ranch. The video is part of the NCC’s efforts to educate the public about how commercial chickens are raised to counteract the misinformation spread by anti-animal agriculture advocates. To view the video posted on YouTube, please click here. June 23, 2009 NCC video
   

• Clemson to study chicken confinement behavior - - Clemson University in South Carolina will be studying the impact of cage and non-cage-production systems on the behavior and physiology of chickens. Pressure from animal rights groups to ban battery cages is up against egg industry leaders who say there isn’t enough science for analysis and possible alternatives. If production conditions are forced to change - then that affects producers’ bottom line. More than 90 percent of the 90 Billion eggs produced in the U.S. come from high density cage systems. In 2007, U.S. egg sales exceeded $6-and-a-half Billion dollars. South Carolina egg sales are about $90 Million dollars a year. <more> June 23, 2009 Brownfield Ag News  
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell Beach. Sponsors to date are Alltech; Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; International Paper; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Kemin Industries; Lohmann Animal Health; Motomco Ltd.; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International;  Phibro Animal Health; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  June 23, 2009
   

• Officials: NC plant had previous safety violations - - Workplace safety inspectors found 15 violations, nine of them serious, earlier this year at a North Carolina poultry plant where one worker died this weekend in an ammonia leak, according to inspection reports and officials. The Mountaire Farms plant in Lumber Bridge was fined a total of $19,600 for violations cited in April, said state Labor Department spokeswoman Dolores Quesenberry. Those violations included sanitation issues and noise control, and the agency cited nine serious matters and six other violations. A maintenance employee died after an ammonia leak occurred Saturday when a refrigeration line ruptured. Quesenberry said inspectors are at the plant trying to determine what happened. <more> June 23, 2009 AP
   

• Arambula severs ties to Democrats - - Assembly Member Juan Arambula, who has frequently sparred with Democratic leaders, is severing ties with the party to become the Legislature’s first independent since the late 1990s. The Fresno lawmaker re-registered as a decline-to-state voter on Monday, his office confirmed. Arambula telegraphed the move in a recent interview with The Bee, in which he conveyed his frustration with expressing independent views. “The special interests have a lot to say about what goes on in both parties. But my real frustration is I can't be effective for my constituents,” Arambula told Editorial Page Editor Jim Boren. <more> June 23, 2009 Fresno Bee   
   

• Farmer enters congressional race to challenge McNerney - - The race for one of San Joaquin County's two congressional seats ramped up Monday with entry of a new Republican candidate for the 11th Congressional District and the announcement that two Republican members of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors were endorsing the seat's Democratic incumbent. Brad Goehring, a 44-year-old winegrape grower from Clements, declared his candidacy for the seat held by Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, who unseated Tracy Republican Richard Pombo in 2006. Goehring said he'd been thinking about running for about a year. "I'm running because I'm tired of business and agriculture and property rights being attacked all the time," he said. <more> June 23, 2009 Stockton Record
   

• A preview of 2010 campaign for lieutenant governor between Florez and Denham? - - A dustup over some remarks by a Merced County supervisor about air quality may be an opening salvo in the 2010 campaign for lieutenant governor. The supervisor, Mike Nelson, during a May meeting of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, called for inter-group cooperation on controlling air pollution in the valley, which has some of the state's dirtiest air. Then he said he tends to "tune out" when environmental activists address the board."Oftentime when people come up here, I don't think they're telling the truth, so that's it," Nelson said. His remark offended air quality activists, who launched a campaign to either censure Nelson or force him to resign from the board. State Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, got into the act, sending Nelson a letter saying his remark created an "unwarranted level of hostility." <more> June 23, 2009 Sacramento Bee    

Monday, June 22, 2009

• Egg bill moves forward. Producers see opportunity for defining Prop 2 - -The Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture on Tuesday passed a bill that would extend the cage-size restrictions of Proposition 2 to out-of-state egg producers. AB1437, by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, would apply the rules created by Proposition 2 to outside producers whose eggs are sold in California. The bill was passed to the Senate by an overwhelming Assembly floor vote. Prop 2, enacted by voters in November, imposes cage-size restrictions on the state's egg-production facilities. Producers complain that the initiative contains no enforceable standard, only the vague requirement that animals' movements not be restricted. Huffman's bill, they say, offers the opportunity to create the standard, which Prop. 2 lacks despite the fact that it imposes criminal penalties. <more> June 20, 209 Capital Press
   

• State's battle over chickens has just begun - - After a bruising campaign last fall, Californians voted by a 27-point margin in favor of what was billed as an effective ban on cages for egg-laying hens. The Humane Society of the United States, which sponsored the measure, may have won that battle. But the war over Proposition 2, it seems, is just getting started. The egg industry says the proposition might allow it to use cages, and wants an interpretation from the state to support that idea. The Humane Society isn't budging. It says voters meant to enact a ban on cages, and that's what they should get. Meanwhile, the fighting has moved to other fronts. The society is backing Assembly Bill 1437, which would require all eggs sold in the state – not just those laid in the state – to comply with the ballot measure. And it has organized a sweeping class-action suit alleging massive price-fixing by egg farmers. The University of California, hoping to insert itself as a peacemaker, formed a new animal welfare council last month. But at the same time, the university is being sued by the Humane Society over what the group says was an industry-biased analysis of Proposition 2 during the campaign. <more> June 20, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• Law ruffles egg farmers. Larger space for hens is goal; producers vague on how to comply by '15 - - By one of the biggest margins in California's rich initiative history, voters decreed last year that egg-laying hens must be able to stretch their wings without touching another bird or a cage wall. But the details of the new animal welfare law are bedeviling egg farmers. Some are even rumored to be breeding hens with shorter wings, a tactic producers deny with a laugh. And a newly introduced bill in Sacramento would require competing farmers in other states to adopt California's standards if they want to sell eggs in the Golden State. California's egg producers say they don't know how to comply with the vague language of the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, short of allowing hens to range free. “We aren't about to invest millions without black-and-white standards that talk about stocking densities, height and width,” Modesto egg producer Jill Benson said. <more> June 20, 2009 AP
   

• Prop. 2 fallout: Must laying hens be cage free? - - California egg farmers got trounced at the ballot box last year while opposing a state initiative that in six years will ban their chicken cages. Now they are urging state legislators to spell out what confinement methods would be allowed for their laying hens. The outcome could have a major effect on how eggs are produced — and the prices charged to consumers in California. Already, Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, is pushing a bill that would require out-of-state egg producers to comply with the hen confinement rules that California farmers will face under Proposition 2. As part of that legislation, the state’s egg producers are asking for clearer confinement rules. <more> June 22, 2009 Santa Rosa Press Democrat   
   

• Pilgrim's has May profit, no more production cuts - - Pilgrim's Pride Corp, the bankrupt U.S. chicken producer, will not cut chicken production further after reducing output 9 to 10 percent earlier this year, Chief Executive Don Jackson told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. While the company's operations have improved, exiting bankruptcy is still scheduled for late this year, Jackson said. Separately, a filing with the U.S. bankruptcy court late on Tuesday showed the company had a net operating profit of $16.74 million in May, up from an April profit of $13.92 million. The court filing is not as complete as those that must be filed regularly with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, but does shows improvement in the company's cash flow. June 22, 2009 Reuters
   

• Poultry industry addresses workplace machine hazards - - The National Chicken Council (NCC) and the National Turkey Federation (NTF), through their joint Alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), are making available pre-purchase and pre-startup equipment safety checklists to help the poultry industry minimize injuries due to machine hazards in the workplace. The checklists were developed by the joint NCC and NTF Safety and Health Committee and were designed to help poultry companies address critical safety issues prior to purchasing new equipment and prior to installing and starting up new equipment. The checklists can also be used to perform safety assessments on currently installed equipment. The checklists address safety considerations relating to: equipment guarding; design and engineering; energy control; ergonomics; training; ingress/egress; ventilation; hazard communication; personal protective equipment; confined space plus hazardous locations; fall protection; and process safety management. Copies of the checklists are available on the NCC Web site at: www.nationalchickencouncil.com.  June 22, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• Feinstein stuck in middle of union 'card-check' fight - - Sen. Dianne Feinstein is getting squeezed by business and organized labor over her neutrality on legislation that would make it easier for workers to form unions. Feinstein was a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, commonly known as “card check,” in 2007. But she is the only Democrat in the California congressional delegation who is not a co-sponsor of this year's bill, which is labor's top legislative priority. The senator has expressed reservations about forging ahead with such a fundamental change in union-organizing rules during a deep recession. “This is an extraordinarily difficult economy, and there are very strong feelings on both sides of the issue,” said Gil Duran, Feinstein's communications director. Labor insists the economic concerns are misguided. <more> June 20, 2009 San Diego Union
   

• Bill Boosting FDA Oversight Of Food Wins Panel Approval - - The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday approved legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration significantly more funding and power to police food safety. The bill comes in response to deadly outbreaks of illnesses traced to tainted spinach, peanuts, hot peppers and other foods. It is designed to plug holes in the regulation of most food items other than meat. The FDA has been under fire for its inability to prevent food-poisoning cases, quickly trace them to their source or find the causes. The legislation would give the FDA authority to order food recalls, impose new civil penalties and require companies to follow food-safety standards. It also would require the agency to inspect so-called high-risk food facilities at least once a year and make companies keep detailed records to help the FDA more quickly trace the distribution of tainted foods and track the course of the contamination. <more> June 20, 2009 Wall Street Journal
   

• Ag groups reject Waxman’s climate offer - - Farm and commodity groups have rejected House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman’s latest attempt to drum up agricultural support for his cap-and-trade climate bill. In a meeting late Friday with four-dozen ag group leaders, Waxman and Congressman Ed Markey, the bill’s cosponsor, offered to allocate 5 billion to 10 billion Dollars over 10 years to a new USDA-managed program that would make payments to farmers for carbon-reduction activities approved by the EPA. The EPA would then issue offset credits to USDA to be sold, with all proceeds reinvested in the compensation program. But, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says that’s NOT what the ag community wants,” We are concerned about adding a heavy load, an additional distribution mechanism and maybe a whole new bureaucratic function on top of a USDA that’s already struggling with the ability to timely deliver services.” <more> June 22, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• Indirect land use amendment fails by 1 vote - - A move to reject indirect land use calculations for the U.S. ethanol industry was narrowly rejected last week in the House Appropriations Committee which passed a 2010 spending bill for the Interior Department and Environmental Protection Agency. The amendment, by Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), to block EPA from using indirect land-use calculations when measuring biofuels greenhouse gas emissions within the RFS rule failed in a vote of 29 to 30.Several protections for large livestock operations, however, made it into the $10.6 Billion EPA spending bill for 2010. <more> June 22, 2009 Brownfield Ag News     
   

• Networking news. Student group uses Facebook, Twitter to garner support for ag - - A non-traditional approach to promoting agriculture is taking place on the Internet. The message isn't new - the vehicle is. "I Love Farmers ... They Feed My Soul" is youth-to-youth, edgy and not always politically correct. Its sole purpose is to support all American farmers and ranchers. The website puts a young face on food and fiber production and with links to Facebook and Twitter, reaches out to youth more comfortable with social networking than traditional media. The idea is to get the word out about where food comes from and how it is produced. The five young people who are the current face of the campaign are passionate about agriculture and eager to speak with their urban counterparts about farmers and ranchers and what they do. <more> June 20, 2009 Capital Press
   

• Rural Dems have beef with Obama - - Angered by White House decisions on everything from greenhouse gases to car dealerships, congressional Democrats from rural districts are threatening to revolt against parts of President Barack Obama’s ambitious first-year agenda. “They don’t get rural America,” said Rep. Dennis Cardoza, a Democrat who represents California’s agriculture-rich Central Valley. “They form their views of the world in large cities.” Cardoza’s critique was aimed at Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency, but it echoes complaints rural-district Democrats have about a number of Obama administration decision. <more> June 20, 2009 Politico.com

Friday, June 12, 2009

• Poultry Is No. 1 Source of Outbreaks, Report Says - - Feeling sick? If so, the cause might have been bad chicken. Poultry was the most commonly identified source of food poisoning in the United States in 2006, followed by leafy vegetables and fruits and nuts, according to a report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report is the first effort by federal researchers to identify how most people in the United States become sickened by contaminated foods. Its findings, while not surprising, were welcomed by food-safety advocates. “It’s a nice first step,” said Donna Rosenbaum, executive director of the nonprofit Safe Tables Our Priority. “The problem is that it’s based on a very small data set.” <more> June 12, 2009 NY Times
   

• CDC Report on Foodborne Illness Is Skewed by Single Large Outbreak, says NCC - - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published a report on foodborne illness which presents a misleading picture of the safety of poultry, says the National Chicken council (NCC) in a response released today. The report contains anomalies that seriously skew the results. The report suggests that poultry is the single leading cause of outbreaks of foodborne illness, with poultry responsible for 21 percent of outbreak-related cases. This is based on attributing 1,355 cases to poultry out of a total of 6,395 cases (21.1 percent). However, of the total cases attributed to poultry, 741 stemmed from a single incident in an Alabama jail or prison in March 2006 which is suspected (but not confirmed, accordingly to a publicly available CDC database) to result from Clostridium perfringens in baked chicken. Without this single incident, poultry would account for 614 of 5,653 cases, or 10.9 percent. This would place poultry well behind other commodities mentioned in the report. <more> June 12, 2009 NCC Press Release  
   

• CPF welcomes new member Avicorvi S.A.- - The California Poultry federation welcomes its newest member: Avicorvi S.A. Avicorvi S.A. produces the ultimate Avicorvi Nipple drinker, our key and worldwide patented product, which is designed to supply water with minimal spillage and no leakage, keeping your chicken houses and cage floors dry and clean. Our nipple can be used from the first day of birth through the entire life cycle, keeping your environment clean and healthy. Avicorvi S.A. – formerly known as Fanalbe Ltda – is a family owned and operated company, headquartered in Pereira, Colombia. With over 50 years in the poultry industry and over 30 years producing automatic drinkers and feeders, the mission of Avicorvi is to provide our customers with high quality products. We take this mission very seriously. Avicorvi is an award winning company, having received the “Medal of Industrial Merit” from the Colombian government's Department of Economic Development, and the “Most Innovative Product” prize from ACOPI, the Colombian Industry Association for Small Industry, late 2008, and other international awards. Avicorvi also received the ISO-9001 Quality Certification. The sales representative for the North America region is Mr. Jaime Orozco, one of the family members currently managing the company. He is located in Folsom, California, and can be contacted at Jaime@avicorvi.com. Visit http://www.avicorvi.com/index_eng.htm  to learn more. June 12, 2009
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell Beach. Sponsors to date are Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; International Paper; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Kemin Industries;Lohmann Animal Health; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Walco International; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  May 26, 2009
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice  
   

• Commentary: What Food Activists Ignore- - A new documentary tugs heart strings. But how do we feed the world? - - The new documentary Food, Inc., a meditation on the health and environmental costs of industrial food production, closes with a list of wholesome directives: shop at farmer's markets, plant a garden, eat locally, etc. It leaves viewers with an inspirational message: "You can change the world with every bite." For skeptics, the mantra is easily ridiculed for its preciousness. For true believers, it's the latest attempt to shake Americans out of a complacency that has spawned diabetes and obesity epidemics, a preponderance of factory farms, a rise in e.coli infections and antibiotic resistance, and the corporate takeover of the country's food production.  While sometimes alarmist, the activist contingent has a powerful argument at its disposal: Americans can only benefit when eating healthier, better-tasting food that is safe and produced in environmentally sound ways. These advocates argue for more sustainable production in which produce is bountiful within 100-mile radiuses, animals are raised by farmers who view slaughtering as a sacred act and consumers always have access to healthy options. <more> June 12, 2009 Forbes
   

• 'Food, Inc.': Documentary on your dinner - - In case you are among the Northern Californians who have avoided thinking about where your dinner comes from, "Food, Inc.," a documentary by Robert Kenner that opens on Friday in San Francisco, will send you to the refrigerator to inspect the information on your food labels.  With the film, which is based largely on the best-selling books "An Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan and "Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlosser, the makers of "Food, Inc." hope to transform Americans' views on industrial food production, much the way "An Inconvenient Truth" helped turn global warming into a top national worry. Kenner, a Los Angeles documentarian, says he did not set out to make an activist horror film. In fact, his original goal was to tell the story from the points of view of both organic and industrial food growers. But representatives of the 50 industrial food companies he contacted, including Monsanto, Perdue, Tyson and Smithfield, would not talk and, more important, would not allow their production practices to be filmed. <more> June 12, 2009 SF Chronicle  
   

• Lawmakers in Farm Belt Try to Steer Climate Bill - - Farm Belt lawmakers said Thursday that the climate legislation in the House may not get the votes to pass unless it is made more farm-friendly. The warning, sounded by Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D., Minn.), presents a new obstacle to the White House's effort to get a bill passed this year. The objecting lawmakers -- both Democrat and Republican -- used a hearing of the House Agricultural Committee to call for changes in the bill that, if adopted, could steer more money to farmers who engage in environmentally friendly practices. The lawmakers are also seeking to blunt potentially tough new regulation of the biofuels industry. The move follows successful efforts by lawmakers from industrial and coal states to win free pollution permits for coal-fired power generators and other industries under a system proposed in the bill that would also cap greenhouse-gas emissions. <more> June 12, 2009 Wall Street Journal 
   

• Deadline nears for cost sharing to upgrade engines - - An ambitious $22 million federal effort to replace or retrofit existing combustion engines in California could help farmers and ranchers upgrade equipment ahead of potential government mandates.  "That's why you see so many people, including dealers, coming to these meetings," said Roger Isom, executive vice president of the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations in Fresno, who said the state Air Resources Board could require equipment upgrades as early as 2014. A standing-room-only crowd of nearly 80 people packed the conference room at the Fresno County Farm Bureau to hear what the program had to offer, including its emphasis on replacing older tractors to improve air quality. The meeting was among 15 workshops being held around California as officials scramble to encourage applications for the program. The deadline for applications is June 26. <more> June 12, 2009 Ag Alert 

Thursday, June 11, 2009

• California Egg Farmers Call on Legislature to Enact Hen Housing Standards - -  The Association of California Egg Farmers (ACEF) called upon the state Legislature today to enact clear standards for housing egg-laying hens because the farmers  don’t know how to implement the vague mandates in Proposition 2, a ballot measure Californians approved last year.  The ballot initiative approved in November 2008 places new mandates on how egg farmers house their egg-laying hens. But the language in the initiative is so vague that California egg farmers don’t know how much space they need to provide their hens to comply with Proposition 2. Clarity on the housing standards issue is even more important now because of shifting representations by the proposition’s sponsors. ACEF leaders met with the authors of Proposition 2 on several occasions, even traveling across country to their headquarters in Washington D.C, to try to work collaboratively to determine how much space must be provided to egg-laying hens. Unfortunately, this only resulted in further confusion. During the campaign the proponent’s theme was that this was a “moderate measure” designed to give hens a little more space, but now they maintain only cage-free housing would meet the initiative’s standards. Proposition 2 does not ban the use of cages to house egg-laying hens.   Farmers need to know exactly how much space to provide for an egg-laying hen and what housing systems will comply with the initiative. <more> June 11, 2009 ACEF Press Release
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline today- - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell Beach. Sponsors to date are Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; International Paper; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Kemin Industries;Lohmann Animal Health; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  May 26, 2009
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice  
   

• AI viruses in lake water can trigger outbreaks, say researchers - - Low-pathogenic avian influenza (AI) viruses persisting in cool water in lakes and ponds can give rise to outbreaks in ducks, geese, and other wild birds even when no infected animals are present, according to researchers at the University of Georgia. “The environmental transmission of avian influenza among birds is quite rare, but our model shows that it can play an important role in outbreaks,” said Pejman Rohani, professor in the University of Georgia-Athens Odum School of Ecology and lead author of a paper published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Live viruses shed by waterfowl can infect other birds that ingest contaminated water, Rohani noted. The effect is diluted in larger bodies of water, but in small lakes and ponds, the process can lead to explosive outbreaks. “In small lakes, there is a noticeable chance of a large secondary outbreak, even in the absence of infected birds initially,” Rohani wrote. Rohani and co-authors Romulus Breban, David E. Stallknecht, and John M. Drake constructed an intricate mathematical model to study the transmission of viruses through water. The model is based partly on data recently published by Stallknecht showing that AI viruses can live as long as 150 days in water in the laboratory. “Viruses were most stable at a slightly basic pH (7.4–8.2), low temperatures (<17 degrees C), and fresh to brackish salinities (0–20,000 parts per million),” Stallknecht, also a University of Georgia researcher, and colleagues wrote in the Journal of Veterinary Microbiology. The AI viruses had a much shorter duration of persistence as the pH turned acidic and the temperature and salinity increased, they wrote. June 11, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• Breeding Gentler Laying Hens that Still Produce Eggs to Industry Standard - - A team of scientists led by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) biologist Heng-wei Cheng at the agency’s Livestock Behavior Research Unit in West Lafayette, Ind., and William M. Muir of Purdue University, also at West Lafayette, has developed a line of laying hens that display far less aggression than their commercial counterparts, while maintaining industry-standard egg production.  As a result of this development, the researchers were able to cut mortality losses among the birds without the usual beak-trimming. At 58 weeks of age, the selected line of hens had significantly lower annual mortality than another group of hens—called a “control group”—and a commercial line of laying hens. When housed in communal cages, the kinder, gentler line had a 20 percent mortality rate, compared to 54 percent for the control line and 89 percent for the commercial line.  Egg production was increased in the gentler birds, compared to the control line and the commercial line under the same conditions. <more> June 11, 2009 ARS Press Release

   

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

• Chicken Council official calls documentary ‘one-sided and misleading’ - - One of the people attending this week’s Washington, D.C. premier of the documentary film “Food Inc.” was Richard Lobb, communications director of the National Chicken Council.  Lobb has a special interest in the film. He is the only representative of the ag or food industries who agreed to be interviewed for it, and his short clip on what’s good about America’s food system appears near the start of the movie. But Lobb says, after that, the film becomes very negative and misleading. “I don’t recognize the food system they’re talking about there,” Lobb says. “They take a lot of liberties with this. It’s very one-sided.” <more> June 10, 2009 Brownfield Ag News  
   

• Website counters misinformation of Food Inc. film - - A coalition of industry groups has launched a web site called www.safefoodinc.com  Safefoodinc.com is an alliance of associations that represent the livestock, meat and poultry industries. Together, its members produce more than 90 percent of U.S. beef, pork, lamb, veal, turkey and chicken. In a statement on the website, the group says, “We are proud of the way we care for our animals, our employees and the environment. We are also proud of the nutrition, safety and good taste that our products offer. The makers of "Food, Inc." and the subjects they interview seek to paint our industries as big, bad and mechanized. They seek to prove their point though a selective use of the facts. While the makers of "Food, Inc." have the right to state their opinions, consumers and the media have the right to the facts. And that’s what this web site is all about: the other side of the story.”  June 10, 2009
   

• NTF names new head of regulatory affairs - - National Turkey Federation (NTF) President Joel Brandenberger announced the appointment today of Hilary Shallo Thesmar, Ph.D., RD, as NTF’s new senior director of scientific and regulatory affairs. “The turkey industry is entering a challenging regulatory period,” Brandenberger said.  “Policymakers in Washington are taking a hard look at the nation’s food safety systems, environmental laws, animal health policy and a wide range of other issues that have a significant impact on NTF’s members. Thesmar’s doctorate in food technology, her extensive education and training in nutrition and food science and her knowledge of the poultry industry make her the right person to oversee NTF’s scientific and regulatory on behalf of the turkey industry.” As NTF’s senior director of scientific and regulatory affairs, Thesmar will develop programs to ensure food safety, environmental, animal health and welfare, worker safety and health and human resources regulations are practical and permit the turkey industry to profitably produce safe and nutritious products.  She will be the primary liaison to the federal agencies that regulate turkey production and processing.  Thesmar will also manage the federation’s Technical and Regulatory, Live Production and Turkey Health committees. Prior to NTF, Thesmar was director of the Egg Safety Center in Washington, D.C.  She also served as director of food safety programs at the Egg Nutrition Center and most recently, acting director.   June 10, 2009 NTF Press Release
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell beach. Sponsors to date are Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Hubbard LLC; Huvepharma; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  May 26, 2009
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice  

Tuesday,  June 9, 2009

• Foster Farms to acquire foodservice brands from Conagra Foods - - Family-owned Foster Farms announces today that it has reached an agreement to purchase the Fernando's and El Extremo foodservice brands from ConAgra Foods. Financial terms of the deal, expected to close next week, have not been disclosed. The Fernando's brand is one of the original foodservice, frozen Mexican brands and dates back to 1982. With a full line of authentic Mexican entrees and appetizers ready to heat and serve, Fernando's provides food service operators with a wide selection of the latest high quality, handheld, frozen Mexican items.  From hand-rolled burritos to taquitos, mini-tacos and enchiladas, Fernando's products offer high-quality, convenient options for foodservice operators offering premium Mexican menu items to their customers.  El Extremo is also a foodservice, frozen Mexican brand and serves the school-lunch program distribution channel. "This acquisition is a strategic fit for Foster Farms," said Ron Foster, Foster Farms' President and CEO, "and will give us capabilities to expand our current businesses in the foodservice, retail, and C-Store Channels." <more> June 9 2009 Foster Farms Press Release  
   

• Russia lifts ban on California beef, poultry - - Russia has lifted its ban on beef and poultry from California , but has retained its ban on the state's fresh and frozen pork, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Friday. Russia banned beef, pork, and poultry from California on April 21. No reason was given for the ban, but it was assumed to be in reaction to the outbreak of swine flu here among humans. Russia this week banned fresh and frozen pork from Utah as well as from two Tyson Foods Inc  plants. The Tyson plants are in Columbus Junction and Waterloo, Iowa. June 9, 2009 Reuters
   

• Workers' comp insurance about to jump. Several carriers plan significant rate boosts - - Five years after California reined in skyrocketing workers' compensation insurance rates, employers are facing another round of rate increases, blamed largely on rising medical costs. Over the past two months, half a dozen insurers have notified the state of their intention to raise their workers' comp rates by 10 percent to 33.9 percent. In Sacramento today, the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau, an advisory panel largely composed of insurance representatives, will present its case for lifting a statewide benchmark for insurance rates by 23.7 percent – the biggest jump in 30 years. California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has signaled that he is skeptical of the panel's request, especially since a recent audit showed that between 2003 and 2006 the bureau – which makes recommendations on the benchmark rate twice a year – repeatedly asked for rate increases that were not justified by market conditions. <more> June 9, 2009 San Diego Union
   

• Study: Bird Flu Survives in Landfills -- After an outbreak of the bird flu, most carcasses end up in landfills. There, according to a new study, the virus can survive for up to two years. Landfills are designed to contain waste for far longer than that, so the practice is probably safe. Still, the new study suggests that waste managers might want to be particularly careful with how they dispose of infected birds. "There are a lot of birds at landfills," said Shannon Bartelt-Hunt, an environmental engineer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "If you think of landfills as reservoirs, you could have birds as vectors. Other animals could be vectors. Landfill personnel could be potentially exposed." <more> June 9, 2009 Discovery News 
   

• Proposed EPA rules penalize ethanol, biodiesel - - An Environmental Protection Administration hearing Tuesday on the proposed rulemaking for the Renewable Fuels Standard focused on the controversial theory called indirect land use change. Proponents of corn-based ethanol and soybean oil-based biodiesel say the proposed rules penalize those fuels for greenhouse gas emissions that result from land use changes around the world and years into the future. Dr. Mark Stowers, vice president of science and technology for POET got right to the point in his testimony, saying the proposed rule is “flawed and has no basis in law or science.” Models used by EPA in calculating indirect land use changes have severe problems and limitations, including “failure to make apples-to-apples comparisons with gasoline,” and an underestimation of corn and ethanol yields, he said. <more> June 9, 2009 Brownfield Ag News   
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell beach. Sponsors to date are Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  May 26, 2009
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice  

Friday, June 5, 2009

• Documentary 'Food Inc.' opens - - The new documentary "Food, Inc." begins with idyllic scenes of American farmland, panning from golden fields of hay to a solitary cowboy rounding up a herd of cattle. Then the camera zooms in on a grocery cart overflowing with packaged food and rolling down the aisles of a gaudily lit supermarket. Eerie, horror movie-style music swells in the background. It's meant to signal the audience that the pastoral fantasy of agrarian America on everything from packages of breakfast sausage to cereal boxes is not what it seems, that great danger lurks behind the cheery images of 1930s-era red barns and white picket fences. Director Robert Kenner is bent on showing us a far grimmer reality. He tells of dust-choked poultry houses where chickens never see the light of day and are pumped so full of chemicals they produce more meat than their organs can support. Eventually they collapse under the weight of their abnormally large breasts and die before reaching the slaughterhouse. An alliance of trade associations that represent the nation's meat and poultry producers have set up a Web site to counter virtually every claim in the documentary, from the contention that E. coli contamination could be reduced by feeding cattle grass instead of grain, to charges that federal inspection agencies are understaffed and ineffective, and foodborne illnesses are on the rise. The food industry says the film has "an astonishing number of half-truths, errors and omissions" and that scrapping current production methods in favor of locally grown, seasonal organic food would result in a dramatic increase in food prices and fewer fruits and vegetables year-round. <more> June 5, 2009 AP   
   

• NCC says new movie on U.S. food system seen as ‘one-sided and misleading’ - - A new documentary movie on the American food industry is “one-sided, negative, and misleading” and promotes a model of an agricultural system that could not possibly produce enough food to feed consumers in the United States and around the world, according to the U.S. National Chicken Council. The movie, entitled “Food, Inc.,” opened Thursday in New York and will begin showing in Los Angeles and San Francisco next Friday, with engagements in a limited number of cities to follow. “The truth is that the chicken industry produces, processes and markets chickens and chicken products in a safe, responsible manner that delivers wholesome, high-quality products to consumers at affordable prices,” NCC said. The film shows Virginia farmer Joel Salatin, who has a “pastured poultry” operation, arguing that small-scale production would produce better food.  In a rebuttal posted to the web site www.nationalchickencouncil.com,  NCC says that small-scale operations occupy only a small niche in the overall system. “Small-scale farms and ranches simply could not provide sufficient food for 300 million Americans and millions of other people around the world,” NCC says.  “There is simply not enough land or labor available to make the model work.”  If the mainstream chicken industry attempted to achieve its annual production of more than nine billion birds on a “pastured poultry” basis, it would need 45 million acres -- more than all the farmland in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas combined, NCC estimated.  “There is simply no way that much land would be available,” NCC said.  The cost to consumers would also be prohibitive, NCC added, noting that products from small-scale producers are typically more expensive than products from mainstream producers. “If a consumer wants to pay more, that is his or her business, but insisting that only expensive products from small-scale operations are worth eating is pure snobbery,” the NCC statement said.  June 5, 2009 NCC Press Release
   

• Washington egg farm fire was accidental - - The three-alarm fire at an egg farm near Stanwood was accidental. The Snohomish County fire marshal's office told The Everett Herald the exact cause of Tuesday night's fire remains under investigation. Investigator Mike Makela says it likely began in a building used to collect eggs. The three-alarm fire burned three large chicken coops and killed about 180,000 birds. Damage to the property owned by the National Food Corp. of Everett is estimated at $2.2 million. June 5, 2009 AP
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell beach. Sponsors to date are Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Central Coast Fryer Farms ;Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company;  J.S. West Milling Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  May 26, 2009
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice  

Thursday, June 4, 2009

• California turkey production down 3% in 2008 - - California turkey production totaled 435 million pounds (live weight) in 2008, down 3 percent from the 450 million pounds raised in 2007, according to USDA statistics released this week.  Value of production, at $252 million, was up 19 percent from the $211 million realized in 2007.  The annual average price per pound in 2007 was 58 cents, compared with 47 cents in 2007. Nationally, the value of turkeys produced during 2008 was $4.48 billion, up 13 percent from the $3.95 billion the previous year.  Turkey production in 2008 totaled 7.92 billion pounds, up 5 percent from the 7.57 billion pounds produced in 2007.  The average price received by producers during 2008 was 56.5 cents per pound, compared with 52.3 cents in 2007. June 4, 2009 USDA Press Release
   

• US To Shift From Raids, Focus On Employers That Hire Illegal Immigrants - - The U.S. is to crack down on employers that hire illegal immigrants, shifting the focus away from controversial raids that target migrants directly, a top administration official said on Wednesday. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said she had asked for prosecutions to be stepped up against employers who break immigration rules, pivoting away from contentious raids, which critics say unfairly target Hispanics. "A primary driver of illegal immigration is the labor market and you have to go after the pull that that market has created. That means you have to go after the employers who are hire illegal labor," she said in an address at the Aspen Institute, a think tank. <more> June 4, 2009 Wall Street Journal    
   

• Fuller inches closer to Senate run - - She looks like a Senate candidate, but nothing's set in stone. Assemblywoman Jean Fuller this week filed a statement of intention to run for the state Senate seat now held by Roy Ashburn, according to the Secretary of State's office. But Fuller, R-Bakersfield, said via e-mail Wednesday she doesn't know if she'll seek the post or run for a third and final two-year Assembly term in 2010. "I am weighing the two options open to me..." she said. "However, decisions such as bringing water to our California farmers, blocking taxes and working on balancing the budget are what I am focusing on now." The 18th Senate District includes much of Bakersfield. <more> June 4, 2009 Bakersfield Californian
   

• New rules to restore salmon, steelhead will likely cost billions - - Salmon and steelhead must be restored above Folsom Lake and other major reservoirs in California to prevent extinction, federal wildlife officials announced Thursday as part of new rules that will likely boost water bills across the state. The new rules by the National Marine Fisheries Service mark the largest single rulemaking action ever in the United States to restore fish access above habitat-blocking dams, according to the environmental group American Rivers. The goal is to protect Central Valley steelhead, winter- and spring-run salmon, and green sturgeon, all protected by the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will be required to restore fish populations above Nimbus and Folsom dams on the American River, Shasta Dam on the Sacramento River, and New Melones Dam on the Stanislaus River. Doing so is likely to cost billions of dollars, which will be paid for by charging higher bills to customers that use this water, which includes farms and cities from Red Bluff to San Diego. <more> June 4, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• NOAA Biological Opinion Finds California Water Projects Jeopardize Listed Species- - The National Oceanic  and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its final biological opinion today that finds the water pumping operations in California ’s Central Valley by the federal Bureau of Reclamation jeopardize the continued existence of several threatened and endangered species under the jurisdiction of NOAA’s Fisheries Service. The bureau has provisionally accepted NOAA’s recommended changes to its water pumping operations, and said it will begin to implement its near-term elements as it carefully evaluates the overall opinion. Federal biologists and hydrologists concluded that current water pumping operations in the Federal Central Valley Project and the California State Water Project should be changed to ensure survival of winter and spring-run Chinook salmon, Central Valley steelhead, the southern population of North American green sturgeon and Southern Resident killer whales, which rely on Chinook salmon runs for food. <more> June 4, 2009 NOAA Press Release  
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell beach. Sponsors to date are Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Tipper Tie, Inc.; Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  May 26, 2009
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice  

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

• BREAKING NEWS: Antibiotics bill defeated in State Senate - -  Legislation that would have limited the use of antibiotics by licensed veterinarians to prevent and control disease in animal agriculture was defeated by the California Senate Wednesday afternoon with 15 Senators voting in favor of the bill and 20 voting to oppose the measure. The measure was placed on the inactive file. SB 416 by Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) was amended earlier this month by the Senate Education Committee to require school districts to make every effort to purchase poultry and meat products that have not been treated with non-therapeutic antibiotics. Florez’s original bill prohibited schools from serving poultry or meat products from animals that had been treated with antibiotics at any time during the life of the animal.  The California Poultry Federation opposed the bill, along with Alliance of Western Milk Producers, California Dairies Inc., California Farm Bureau Federation, Western United Dairymen, California School Nutrition Association and the California Teamsters. June 3, 2009
   

• Animal-welfare wave may be heading east - -  If you haven’t been affected by legislation similar to Prop 2 yet, it’s coming your way, says Debra Murdock, executive director with the Pacific Egg & Poultry Association. “It’s not my problem” is the attitude that many livestock producers across the country and even within the state of California have had in the past, she says. Livestock producers and all of agriculture need to realize that we’re in this together, Murdock told audience members at the California Animal Nutrition Conference this week. “Consumers don’t get it; they don’t know where their food comes from,” she says. “We need to work together to educate consumers. ‘It’s not my problem’ doesn’t work anymore.” The poultry industry is still reeling from the passage of Prop 2 in California this past November. “We are trying to grapple with what the Prop 2 regulation really will be. Prop 2 did not specifically ban cages,” she says. <more> June 3, 2009
   

• Bill requires all eggs sold in California to be from cage-fee hens - - California voters freed the state's egg-laying hens last fall, but Proposition 2 left a big loophole: Supermarkets could still sell eggs laid by caged birds in other states. Now, animal-welfare advocates are backing legislation requiring every egg sold in California to be from a cage-free hen. Assembly Bill 1437 would greatly expand the scope of the state's ban on standard egg-laying cages, which is scheduled to take effect in 2015. Economists predict Proposition 2, on its own, will drive up imports of cheap, conventionally produced eggs, pushing many in-state farms out of business. If AB 1437 passes, though, it would make the entire California market – about 10 percent of the nation's eggs – cage-free. That huge demand, backers hope, would support California farms as they convert to cage-free production and drive some big egg farms elsewhere in the country to scrap their cages as well. <more> June 3., 2009 Sacramento Bee  
   

• Producer survey on government regulations - - The Center for Agricultural Business (CAB) at California State University, Fresno plans to seek input from California agricultural producers on how government regulations affect their production operations. The information will be used in a broad study comparing air, water and other standards in California with those in other states. Leading the project is CAB Director Mickey Paggi. He is joined by Jay Noel, director of the California Institute for the Study of Specialty Crops (CISSC) at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Also assisting in the work is CAB senior research economist Fumiko Yamazaki. The research effort was prompted by a growing sense in certain segments of the agricultural industry that California is perhaps no longer the best place to do business. “California growers, processors and distributors must comply with myriad of rules from local, state and federal levels, regardless of the type of farming, ranching or agriculturally-related business they operate,” Paggi said. <more> June 3, 2009 Western Farm Press  
   

• Future of California’s ag agency up for debate - - Following Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s pledge Tuesday in an address to the Legislature that every dollar of waste and inefficiency saved will be a dollar that supports critical services such as health care and education, Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, D-Shafter, has called a hearing into the future of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which his committee oversees. On June 16, the Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture will meet to consider whether or not it makes sense for agriculture to remain the only California industry with its own $100 million general fund-backed agency, “when most of its functions could be performed by other departments,” Mr. Florez’ office says.  "We look forward to working with Senator Florez and answering his questions," says Steve Lyle, a spokesman for the department. <more> June 3, 2009 Central Valley Business Times    
   

• Lawmakers move to slash state agencies - - A legislative budget committee voted unanimously Wednesday to eliminate state agencies altogether, taking dead aim at an administrative layer of gubernatorial bureaucracy that oversees all of the state's departments. The 10-member panel -- six Democrats and four Republicans -- also voted to eliminate the Office of the Secretary of Education, which lawmakers said is unnecessary because the state already has an elected Superintendent of Public Instruction and a State Board of Education. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recommended last month that lawmakers consolidate more than a dozen boards and commissions to save $50 million. Schwarzenegger also began laying off 5,000 rank-and-file state workers. Under the agencies move, the state would dismantle at least eight offices, from the State and Consumer Services Agency to the Environmental Protection Agency, and eliminate any duplicative administrative positions. The committee did not know how many positions would be eliminated or how much money would be saved and asked the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office to report on how far the Legislature could cut. <more> June 3, 2009 Sacramento Bee  
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell beach. Sponsors to date are Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ; Baker Commodities, Inc.; Cobb-Vantress; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Darling International; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Tipper Tie, Inc. ;  Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  May 26, 2009
   

• Fire burns Wash. chicken farm - - A three-alarm fire has destroyed three large buildings and killed thousands of chickens at a poultry farm near Stanwood. The fire broke out around midnight Tuesday and about 60 firefighters from several districts battled the fire through the early morning hours. Tanker trucks had to bring in water. The battalion chief said three commercial chicken coops - each one was 600 feet long and 60 feet wide – burned to the ground, and neighbors report hundreds of thousands of chickens were inside. <more> June 3, 2009 KTVB.com    
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice  

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

• Tyson Says Chicken Business Is Better Than Expected -- Tyson Foods Inc., the second-largest U.S. poultry producer, said its chicken business will have a better-than-expected third quarter because of improved market conditions. Higher input costs and demand for other proteins may affect the company later in the year, Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson said today in a statement, citing Donnie Smith, senior group vice president for poultry and prepared foods. “We’ll have a stronger Q3 in our chicken segment than we thought a month ago,” Smith said at a Stephens Inc. conference in New York, according to the statement. <more> June 2, 2009 Bloomberg
   

• Schwarzenegger: 'Our wallet is empty' - - Declaring that "California's day of reckoning is here," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said today the state should turn its dire budget straits into an opportunity to make government more efficient. Speaking to a rare mid-year joint session of the Legislature and other constitutional officers, Schwarzenegger acknowledged the billions of dollars in spending cuts he has proposed to close a $24.3 billion hole in the budget will be devastating to millions of Californians. "People come up to me all the time, pleading 'governor, please don't cut my program,'" he said. "They tell me how the cuts will affect them and their loved ones. I see the pain in their eyes and hear the fear in their voice. It's an awful feeling. But we have no choice.  "Our wallet is empty. Our bank is closed. Our credit is dried up." <more> June 2, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• What Governor's budget cuts may mean to ag - - What might Gov. Schwarzenegger’s call to consolidate and cut state government mean to the state’s agriculture industry? The Governor’s office has released a document proposing consolidation and reform of several sate agencies including the California department of Food and Agroculture as well as several agencies that fall under the policy umbrella of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee and the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. The Governor’s proposal for the CSDFA would eliminate and transfer pest control activities to the Department of Pesticide regulation; transfer Weights and Measures activities to the Department of General Services; transfer oversight and administration of fairs and expositions to the counties; abolish and express the intent to re-establish CDFA’s 54  marketing boards and commissions as private, non-profit corporations. Other noteworthy proposals include:
  * Consolidating all climate change activities under the California Air Resources Board. Such activities now are spread among the Energy Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, the Resources Secretary and Cal-EPA/
  * Eliminate the dept. of Fish and Game and transfer to a new Department of Natural resources and Wildlife.
  * Eliminate and transfer flood protection activities to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board.
  * Transfer water efficiency activities to the State Water Resources Control Board
  * Consolidate the Department of Conservation into the Integrated Waste Management Board
  * Transfer pesticide risk assessment functions and biomonitoring from the Department of Pesticide Control to the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA.) Discussion of these proposals will take place at hearings conducted by the various policy committees in the next few weeks.
   

• Sen. Florez schedules hearing on proposal to dismantle CDFA- - There's nothing more likely to pass for progress around the Capitol than a legislative hearing. With that in mind, be alerted that Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, has scheduled a June 16 hearing by the Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture to see if California really needs a Dept. of Food and Agriculture. Florez appears to be leaning toward the "no" column. A news release from his office today says the committee "will meet to consider whether or not it makes sense for agriculture to remain the only California industry with its own $100 million general fund-backed agency, when most of its functions could be performed by other departments." Florez says that in the light of California's budget woes, it might make sense to allocate the business part of ag to a business department and the environmental and health aspects to environmental and/or health agencies. <more> June 2, 2009 Sacramento Bee  
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell beach. Sponsors to date are Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ;Baker Commodities, Inc.; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Huvepharma; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company; Lohmann Animal Health; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Tipper Tie, Inc. ;  Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  May 26, 2009
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice  

Monday, June 1, 2009

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Combined U.S. poultry industry value 11% higher in 2008 than 2007 - - The National Agriculture Statistics Service reported the combined value of production from U.S. broilers, eggs, turkeys, and the value of sales from chickens in 2008 was $35.9 billion, up 11% from the $32.2 billion in 2007, according to a NASS report summary. The value of broilers produced during 2008 was $23.1 billion, up 7% from 2007; egg production in 2008 was $8.23 billion, up 22% from the $6.72 billion in 2007; 2008 turkey production was $4.48 billion, up 13% from the $3.95 billion the previous year; and chicken sales (excluding broilers) in 2008 were $61.8 million, up 20% from the $51.5 million a year ago.  June 1, 2009 NASS Report
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell beach. Sponsors to date are Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ;Baker Commodities, Inc.; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Tipper Tie, Inc. ;  Veterinary Service, Inc.; Volk Enterprises; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  May 26, 2009
   

• NTF recipe website features ‘Turkey On a Dime’ - - Find 10 quick and easy recipes on www.eatturkey.com for frugal shoppers and at-home chefs.  Titled “Turkey on a Dime,” the feature showcases 10 recipes that incorporate turkey in unique ways, sure to satisfy consumers’ wallets and waistlines.  “Savvy shoppers are looking for easy, affordable and quality meals they can make at home,” said Sherrie Rosenblatt, National Turkey Federation’s (NTF) vice president of marketing and communications.  “The ‘Turkey on a Dime’ feature on NTF’s Web site includes all of these aspects while bringing an assortment of recipe choices that will fit into any meal rotation.” With consumers looking to save money on groceries, turkey products prove to be the “perfect protein” that fits well with the growing and changing trends in the marketplace.  From the Easy Meatball Stroganoff that uses ground turkey to the Super Turkey Tenderloin Marinade, the variety of turkey products and meals on “Turkey on a Dime” are versatile, easy and economical. June 1, 2009 NTF Press Release
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Delta panel report card to give state an 'incomplete' -- A panel of officials appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to solve the Delta's water and environmental problems plans to give the state an "incomplete" grade for its progress. The rating, to be presented in a "report card," will be finalized after testimony from environmentalists, water groups and state officials at a public meeting today in Sacramento. The seven-member Delta Vision Task Force, led by former Sacramento Mayor Phil Isenberg, officially doesn't exist anymore. But after releasing its December recommendations, it decided to stay alive as a nonprofit group to press for action. Results in the draft report card don't look good: The foundation finds that the state has made little to no progress on most of its recommendations. <more> June 1, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• Greenhouse emissions bill faces contentious summer of debate - – Congress will return today ready to engage in a historic debate on whether the country should shift to cleaner and more efficient use of energy and reduce the heat-trapping gases building up in the atmosphere. Before leaving for Memorial Day, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a bill that would set the country's first mandatory limits on greenhouse gases, promote renewable energy and increase the efficiency of buildings, appliances and vehicles. The bill now will be considered by other committees and should reach the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote this summer. This month is expected to feature lawmakers publicly airing concerns about costs and the impact on agriculture and heavy industry. Environmentalists will try to strengthen the bill, arguing that its efficiency measures and other provisions will hold down costs. <more> June 1, 2009 Sacramento Bee  

Friday, May 29, 2009

• Antibiotics bill approved by Senate Appropriations Committee - - Legislation that would limit the use of antibiotics by licensed veterinarians to prevent and control disease in animal agriculture was approved this week by the Senate Appropriations Committee and goes to the Senate floor for consideration.  SB 416 by Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) was amended earlier this month by the Senate Education Committee to require school districts to make every effort to purchase poultry and meat products that have not been treated with non-therapeutic antibiotics. Florez’s original bill prohibited schools from serving poultry or meat products from animals that had been treated with antibiotics at any time during the life of the animal.  The California Poultry Federation opposes the bill, along with Alliance of Western Milk Producers, California Dairies Inc., California Farm Bureau Federation, California School Nutrition Association and the California Teamsters. May 29, 2009
   

• Ag industry watches two proposed animal welfare laws - - Agribusiness is keeping a close eye on two bills that would expand on a new law designed to protect farm animals from inhumane treatment. The California Egg-Laying Hen Welfare Act (AB 1437) would ban the sale of eggs produced on farms where cages are too small for birds to spread their wings or freely turn around. The sponsor is Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael. Senate Bill 135, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, D-Shafter, prohibits the practice of "tail docking," or removing part of a dairy cow's tail by cutting it or choking off circulation with a tight band until it falls off. Both bills passed this week in their respective houses and are now under review in the other chamber. <more> May 29, 2009 Bakersfield Californian
    

• Study: Culled carcasses may be landfilled even as virus persists - - A team of engineers and scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has concluded that burial in a modern landfill is a suitable means of disposal of the carcasses of poultry involved in an avian influenza outbreak even though the virus can remain viable for periods ranging from 29 days to more than 600 days. “Data obtained from this study indicate that landfilling is an appropriate method for disposal of carcasses infected with AIV,” the scientists wrote in Environmental Science & Technology, a journal of the American Chemical Society. “Inactivation times calculated in this study (<2 yrs) were well within the design lifetimes of composite barrier and gas and leachate collection systems at typical Subtitle D landfills,” or those built to standards set by current federal law. The team was composed of two researchers from the university’s department of civil engineering and two from the department of veterinary basic sciences. The researchers said that avian influenza continues to be a concern and a potential launch pad for an epidemic of human influenza. Disposal of the carcasses of poultry culled during outbreaks is an important part of the response to an animal disease outbreak, they said. During an outbreak of H7N2 low-pathogenic avian influenza in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley in 2002, about three million turkey and chicken carcasses were buried in municipal landfills close to the outbreak and in regional mega-landfills more than 100 miles away. The Nebraska researchers worked with a different strain of AI--H6N2--and performed experiments to see how long the virus remained viable under different conditions. They found that higher temperatures (37 degrees centigrade, almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and higher pH (8, on the alkaline side) led to viability as low as 29 days, while low temperatures and neutral pH allowed the virus to survive more than 600 days. In a modern landfill, each day’s accumulation of discarded material is covered with dirt and each section of facility is eventually sealed, with pipes in place to remove leachate and gases. The logistics of transporting carcasses long distances spurred research into other methods of disposal. Composting the carcasses in the growout houses in which they lived has been adopted in outbreaks since 2002 and is now considered a preferred method. May 29, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell beach. Sponsors to date are Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ;Baker Commodities, Inc.; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Tipper Tie, Inc. ; Volk Enterprises; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  May 26, 2009
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 

Thursday, May 28, 2009

• CA bill extending Prop. 2 to out of state egg producers passes Assembly - - A bill that would extend California's cage size restrictions to out-of-state egg producers was approved by the state Assembly Tuesday. AB1437, by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, would apply the rules created by Proposition 2 to outside producers whose eggs are sold in California. Prop 2, passed overwhelmingly by voters in November, imposes cage size restrictions on the state's egg producers. Under the initiative, caged animals must be able to turn around and fully extend their limbs. The bill passed the Assembly 49-9. The bill now goes to the Senate. Bill Mattos, president of the California Poultry Federation, said his organization remains neutral on the bill.  "There are still some concerns about what it means," said Mattos, whose organization counts several egg producers among its membership. "On the surface, it looks like positive legislation. But when you start asking questions, it gets shaky." <more> May 28, 2009 Capital Press
   

• Editorial: Egg bill scrambles Constitution - - Through the years Congress and the courts have stretched the definition of "commerce" to include all sorts of things, but the transportation of goods from one state to another has always been the sole purview of Congress. The news hasn't filtered down to California. The Legislature there is trying to impose special conditions on its partners in the other 49 states. The state Senate and Assembly have stepped in with a bill that would require all eggs sold in California, regardless of their origin, to be produced under conditions conforming to the yet-to-be written rules implementing Prop. 2.  That's all well and fine for the poor California egg producers who are stuck no matter what. We sympathize with their position. Their businesses were hijacked by an electorate bamboozled by the animal rights crowd. But this remedy doesn't pass the constitutional smell test. <more> May 28, 2009 Capital Press  
   

• Tyson Settles Lawsuit Over Artificially Inflated Weight - - Tyson Foods Inc. has agreed to donate up to 1.7 million pounds of chicken to Illinois food banks to settle a lawsuit that claimed the world's biggest meat producer artificially inflated the retail weight of its poultry. Under the deal approved Wednesday by a judge in Madison County, Ill., the company denies any wrongdoing and agreed to resolve the matter out of court to avoid additional costs related to the nearly eight-year legal tussle. The suit, originally brought in 2001 by a couple from Hartford and an Arkansas man, claimed that Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson artificially inflated the weight of poultry products sold between 1997 and 2003 through a cold-water immersion chilling process that resulted in absorption and retention of water under the birds' skin and muscle tissues. Federal regulations now require poultry processors to disclose retained water on product labels. <more> May 28, 2009 CattleNetwork.com
   

• Obama reiterates desire to move beyond corn-based ethanol - - In a letter to farm-state governors, President Barack Obama has reiterated his desire to move beyond corn-based ethanol. Obama was responding to a letter he received earlier this year from the Governors’ Biofuels Commission. That letter described the threat the biofuels market faces because of dwindling private investment and the recession. In his reply, Obama said he wants to see new types of biofuels commercialized as quickly as possible, but that corn-based ethanol needs to remain viable in the meantime. Obama said his administration is committed to moving as quickly as possible to commercialize new cellulosic technologies, so that—in his words—“tomorrow’s biofuels will be produced from sustainable biomass feedstocks and waste materials rather than corn.” <more> May 28, 2009 Brownfield Ag News  
   

• Air District offers small fleet owners money to replace 1993 and older diesel trucks - - The San Joaquin Valley Air District has money for heavy-duty diesel owners of small fleets to replace their older, polluting trucks with newer, cleaner models. The Voucher Incentive Program (VIP) is a new, streamlined option funded through the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Attainment Program. More than $15 million is available through the program, which is open to any owner to fund heavy-duty truck replacements statewide. Between $30,000 and $35,000 is available per grant, depending on the age of the truck. Trucks with 1993 and older engines are eligible. Grants are made on a first-come, first-served basis and applications will be approved within five business days. "This is a valuable way to encourage owners/operators of older trucks to make an investment in newer, cleaner models, and it fills a great need," said Seyed Sadredin, the District's executive director and air pollution control officer. <more> May 28, 2009 CARB Press Release   
   

• California Democrats say Obama is neglecting parts of the Golden State - - Some California Democrats are upset with President Obama for skipping past the state’s Central Valley, devastated by foreclosures and high unemployment, as he heads to a $3 million Hollywood fundraiser Wednesday night. “He’s not showing us any empathy,” said Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), who endorsed Obama over then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) in the Democratic primary last May. “He told us he would visit the heartland of California. He’s coming again and he’s not doing so.” Costa said he and other California Democrats have lobbied White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel for a visit, to no avail. Central Valley Democrats also pressed for a visit when Obama visited in March. While Midwestern states are better known for farming, California’s giant economy also includes an agricultural powerhouse. Fresno County, for example, ranks first in the country for total value of agricultural products sold. <more> May 28,2009 TheHill.com  
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell beach. Sponsors to date are Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ;Baker Commodities, Inc.; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Tipper Tie, Inc. ; Volk Enterprises; Woodland Farms; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  May 26, 2009
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Sanderson reports $26.2 million second quarter profit - - Sanderson Farms Inc. reported net income of $26.2 million for its second fiscal quarter which ended April 30, 2009. The company slaughtered 4% less tonnage in the second quarter of 2009 than it did in the same quarter of 2008; this is in spite of ramping up of production at the company's new Waco, Texas, facility. Joe F. Sanderson Jr., chairman and CEO of Sanderson Farms, said that this reduction in volume was the result of reduced placements at all of the company's complexes besides Waco and a reduction in bird weights. Sanderson Farms will continue its chick placements at the reduced second quarter levels in the third quarter, but it will return its bird weights to prior, heavier levels. Sanderson said that the net affect will be that the company's processed pounds will be 2% less in the third quarter of 2009 than in the same period in 2008. <more> May 28, 2009 WattPoultry.com   
   

• Voters’ angst fuels look at constitutional convention - - Disgusted, demoralized and disenchanted, Californians are fed up with their political leaders – that much is clear. What isn’t so clear is what to do about it. One possibility is a constitutional convention, the first in California in 130 years, where hundreds of delegates chosen from among the citizenry would rewrite the constitution and submit their plan to voters. Everything would be on the table – term limits, the two-thirds vote, ballot initiatives, spending caps, redistricting, the Legislature itself.  Fasten your seat belts, this could be a bumpy ride. “The biggest single risk is to be careful what you wish for,” said veteran political strategist Darry Sragow, who has handled Democratic campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate. “Who knows what interests will weigh in? It could be wonderful and invigorating, it could be an unmitigated disaster.” But California voters appear interested in taking the chance. <more> May 28, 2009 Capitol Weekly  
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

• Workshops explain $20 million farm air funding - - More than $20 million is being made available to California farmers and ranchers as part of a new program to help reduce air quality emissions from agricultural sources. A series of 15 workshops will be held over the next few weeks to explain how the program works. The program is run by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service as part of a new air quality provision of the 2008 federal Farm Bill's Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Under the program, agricultural producers can apply for money to help pay to replace, repower or retrofit existing combustion engines. The deadline to apply is June 26. <more> May 27, 2009 Fresno Bee    
   

• Pilgrim's Pride rejects bid for Arkansas plant - - Pilgrim's Pride has rejected a bid by a poultry company that wanted to buy Pilgrim's shuttered chicken processing plant in El Dorado, Ark.  A federal bankruptcy judge ordered Pilgrim's and the El Dorado Poultry Co. to go into mediation and try to agree on a sale of the property.  Pilgrim's filed for bankruptcy protection from its creditors last December. About 1,500 people worked at the El Dorado plant before it began laying off employees prior to closure on May 8. <more> May 27, 2009 KTBS.com   
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell beach. Sponsors to date are Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ;Baker Commodities, Inc.; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Tipper Tie, Inc. ; Volk Enterprises; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  May 26, 2009
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

• KFC happy with giveaway fed by Oprah - - Combine Oprah Winfrey's endorsement with a chicken giveaway and what do you get? For KFC, the result was an avalanche of attention, some positive, some negative, for its national rollout of Kentucky Grilled Chicken. The frenzy briefly overwhelmed the chain, which promised free-meal rain checks for customers who couldn't redeem their online coupons, first posted May 2, because stores ran out of the meals or stopped honoring the offer because customer traffic threatened to get out of hand. KFC now sees the promotional roller coaster as a blessing.  "The critical thing for us was to get people to eat the chicken, whatever it took," KFC president Roger Eaton said in an interview with The Associated Press. <more> May 26, 2009 AP
   

•  April poultry production down 7% on the year - - Poultry production during April was down 7% on the year, according to the USDA. The total amount of poultry certified wholesome was 3.523 billion pounds. For the year to date, production is 13.627 billion bushels, 7% lower than the 14.621 billion produced during January to April 2008. That year to year reduction is due to uncertainties over demand because of the economy and the high price of feed. Chicken made up most of the total at 3.039 billion pounds, 6% below a year ago, with turkey at 474.989 million pounds, down 9% from last year, and duck at 9.069 million pounds, a 10% decrease on the year. <more> May 26, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• McDonald's to join hen housing study - - McDonald's USA has announced its participation in a commercial-scale study of housing alternatives for egg laying hens in the U.S., including cage-free housing. The research is being led by Michigan State University and the University of California-Davis. Other stakeholders in the study are the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Humane Association, USDA’s Ag Research Service, Cargill Incorporated and the Center for Food Integrity. The American Humane Association says the research is important in determining if there are indeed differences in laying hen production systems in regard to welfare implications for the birds. In addition to welfare, the “multi-year” study will also look at environmental, food safety and economic issues related to various production systems. <more> May 26, 2009 Brownfield Ag News   
   

• Some chicken growers 'out in the cold' - - Foster Farms' new ownership of the former Pilgrim's Pride chicken complex will save many northeastern Louisiana independent growers who supply poultry to the plant, but other farmers find themselves left behind with an uncertain future. Northeastern Louisiana growers who supplied Pilgrim's El Dorado, Ark., plant, which remains closed, said the purchase agreement between Pilgrim's and Foster for the Farmerville facility bars them from contracting with Foster until July 1. By then, the growers said, Foster will have its grower network in place. "That leaves me back where I started," said grower Jeff Foster of Spearsville. "I'm so happy for all of the growers who will be saved by this, but I'm still out in the cold." <more> May 26, 2009 Newsstar.com
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Sponsors lining up to support CPF summer meeting - - Several sponsors have signed up to lend their financial support to the CPF’s summer meeting set for July 13-14 in Shell beach. Sponsors to date are Alpharma; ASC / Agrecom Inc.; Aviagen Inc. ;Baker Commodities, Inc.; Cryovac/Sealed Air Corporation; Cumberland; CVP Systems; Elanco Animal Health; Evonik Degussa Corporation; Foster Farms; Haley Farms, Inc.; Intervet/Schering-Plough; Jones-Hamilton Company; Novus International, Inc.; Pitman Farms; Preserve International; Tipper Tie, Inc. ; Volk Enterprises; Zacky Farms and Zinpro Corporation. Sponsorship information is available from CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355.  May 26, 2009
   

• Ethanol proposal may derail climate bill - - Rural Democrats are threatening to vote against climate change legislation unless the Environmental Protection Agency halts new proposals that could hamper the development of corn ethanol. Ethanol has long been an energy third rail in Congress, with lawmakers — particularly those from the Midwest and other states with large agricultural industries — clamoring to support the biofuel both to transition away from foreign energy and to support rural economies. But in recent years, environmentalists, livestock producers and grocery manufacturers have raised concerns about the fuel, claiming that it threatens to exacerbate global warming and that it raises food prices. The debate intensified recently when EPA released a draft decision ruling that “indirect land use” issues must be considered when calculating the carbon footprint of corn-based ethanol. That decision raises the overall emissions of corn ethanol by including sometimes tenuously linked activities — critics say totally unrelated activities — in its carbon count. And in fact, the EPA finding showed that while biofuels from plants and other next-generation renewables reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, the fuel might not be as environmentally friendly as the law requires. <more> May 26, 2009 Politco.com  
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice
   

• USDA sets up new food safety website - - The newly-created White House Food Safety Working Group has launched a Web site www.foodsafetyworkinggroup  to provide information about the group’s activities and progress. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, head up the working group, which was created to help reinforce the nation’s food safety inspection mechanism. “The Working Group will be an important tool for gathering ideas as to how we can strengthen the food safety system to be more accountable and accessible to the public it protects, flexible enough to quickly resolve new safety challenges that emerge, and able to meet the robust needs of our rapidly changing world,” said Vilsack. “Families have enough to worry about. You shouldn’t have to wonder if the food you buy at the grocery store is safe,” said Sebelius. “The Web site will help ensure all Americans can share their thoughts and contribute to this important process.” May 26, 2009 USDA Press Release

Friday, May 22, 2009

• Foster Farms completes acquisition of former Pilgrim's Pride Louisiana chicken plant - - Foster Farms said this morning that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of a Farmerville chicken plant from Pilgrim's Pride.  Foster Farms agreed to buy the plant for $80 million. The state will contribute $50 million -- half of the purchase price, plus another $10 million toward equipment upgrades.  While initial production at the plant will be about 50 percent of capacity, Foster Farms said it envisions a quick ramp up. The California company is now in the process of hiring management employees. <more> May 22, 2009 New Orleans Time Picayune

• To read Pilgrim Pride's press release, please click here.
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• CDFA budget ax hits Fresno CAHFS lab - - As the budget ax begins to hit following this week’s defeat of five budget initiatives, word comes that the CDFA’s California Animal Health and Food Safety Lab located in Fresno will be shut down as of July 19. Most of its testing services will be redistributed to other labs in Davis, Turlock, Tulare and San Bernardino. The closure represents 28 people and 38 positions. CDFA’s 2008-09 budget is about $98.5 million in General Fund appropriations. Of that amount, approximately $92 million is expended on core services encompassing agricultural plant and animal health activities, pest prevention and food safety services. CDFA has been directed to reduce current year expenses by 5%. At least $2 million in additional cuts are still pending. California Poultry Federation President Bill Mattos commented, “We are told that the veterinarians that the CPF works with everyday will be transferred to the Tulare laboratory, which is very good news for poultry. We are hopeful these vets will remain with the lab. We can't stress enough to the CDFA how important these laboratories are to the safety and strength of our industry in California. Without them, the health of our livestock would be severely threatened. There is a reason why the California lab system is the best in the nation. We can't allow that to change.” May 22, 2009
   

• Animal-rights groups focus on religion - - "Animal-rights activists are using religious messages to recruit a segment of the millennial generation that has little doctrinal anchor, in order to advance their vegetarian agenda," said Wes Jamison, an ordained Baptist minister and associate professor of communications at Palm Beach Atlantic University, addressing participants at the Animal Agriculture Alliance's 8th Annual Stakeholders Summit, held this week in Alexandria, Va.  Jamison explained that two major factors are driving animal-rights groups' attempts to engage people of faith. The first is that people motivated by religion tend to give generously, which is an important factor to the $400 million-a-year animal-rights industry. The second reason is that people motivated by religious zeal tend to have sustained intensity over time. This is a critical feature lacking from the current animal-rights movement, since many vegans and vegetarians tend to eventually return to an omnivorous diet.” <more> May 22, 2009 Drovers.com  
   

• Climate change legislation approved by House committee - - The House this week moved closer to approving a bill that would cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050 and would require states to get 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources and improved efficiency. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, H. R. 2454, was approved by a vote of 33-25 with all but four Democrats voting for the measure. Democrats voting against the measure were Rep. John Barrow (GA), Charles Melancon (LA), Jim Matheson (UT), and Mike Ross (AR). The one Republican voting for the bill was Mary Bono-Mack (CA). Nathan Deal (R-GA) was absent for the final vote. The legislation would create a cap-and-trade system whereby over the next decade, power plants, oil refineries, and manufacturers would be required to obtain allowances for the pollution they emit. Those who need more or less could turn to a Wall-Street-like market in the allowances. The bill, which aims to remake the way the United States consumes energy, uses vast incentives and slow–growing punishments to shift from high-polluting fossil fuels to new sources, such as wind, solar power, and plant-based fuels. The legislation passed out of committee with little change, even with over 90 amendments, mostly offered by Republicans. Committee Republicans, who are outnumbered 36-23, were repeatedly rebuffed in efforts to attach “circuit breakers” that would suspend parts or all of the 946-page bill in the event it harmed the U.S. economy, raised energy prices, or if China and India failed to adopt their own emissions caps. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has promised to bring the legislation to the floor this summer. The bill has been referred to eight other House committees, but those committees will take up only those areas in their jurisdiction. Supporters see the Ways and Means Committee, which will have broad purview over revenue-raising provisions in the bill, as well as how to protect trade-sensitive industries, as the biggest hurdle to a speedy floor debate. The Agriculture Committee is also one of the eight committees to which the legislation has been referred and could also present a roadblock to final passage. Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) has issues with provisions relating to reducing greenhouse gases, and said he is seeking to change rules for those who raise corn for ethanol. May 22, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• Animal welfare web portal launched - - A new internet portal has been launched today by FAO that will serve as a one-stop-shop for individuals and organizations searching for the latest information about the welfare of livestock. The Gateway to Farm Animal Welfare is designed to provide a reliable information conduit on legislation and research findings in the sector, as well as on animal welfare standards, practices and policies. Expected users are farmers and government officials, lawmakers, researchers, the livestock and food industry and non-governmental organizations.  It will provide an important forum for animal welfare issues related to activities such as transport, slaughter and pre-slaughter management, animal husbandry and handling and the culling of animals for disease control. <more> May 22, 2009 FAO Press Release
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice

Thursday, May 21, 2009

• Russian drive for domestic chicken - -- - Russia, its appetite for cheap poultry meat growing, is spending billions of dollars developing its poultry farms to slash its dependence on imports and squeeze U.S. suppliers from their biggest export market. The expansion could halve the share of imports in Russian poultry consumption by 2012 and push the $55 billion U.S. poultry sector, which sent nearly a quarter of its poultry exports to Russia last year, to seek alternative markets. Big economies, including Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, China and South Korea, are leading a global search for farmland to guarantee food supplies after rampant food price inflation last year and water shortages drove home the need to reduce dependence on imports. <more> May 21, 2009 Reuters
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Will grilled chicken work for KFC?  - - A former owner of Kentucky Fried Chicken was not high on the chances of success for KFC's new grilled chicken offering. Former Kentucky governor John Y. Brown, speaking at the Alltech Agribusiness Summit in Lexington, Ky., said that he doesn't think that grilled chicken will work for KFC based on the past failure of roasted chicken. Brown discussed his success in growing the franchising concept started by "Colonel" Harlan Sanders in the U.S. and in 57 foreign countries prior to selling his interest in the fast food chicken restaurant chain in 1971. He said that the secret to his own success was being a good salesman, a hard worker, not being afraid to fail and luck. "I failed more than I succeeded in business; I failed a lot," Brown said. "Success is built in the footprints of failure."  <more> May 21, 2009 WattPoultry.com  
   

• Governor proposes $5.5 billion in new cuts - - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed a new round of budget cuts totaling $5.5 billion on Thursday, two days after voters rejected five special election initiatives that would have brought in about that same amount in new revenues. Under his proposal, the state would completely eliminate support for Healthy Families, a program that provides health insurance to hundreds of thousands of low-income children, and CalWorks, an assistance program benefiting low-income families with children. The administration said the governor's plan also would phase out all General Fund support for the state parks system, and gradually eliminate loans to college students through the Cal Grants program. Anna Montesantos, an aide to the governor, presented the cuts to the Legislature's Budget Conference Committee on Thursday afternoon. <more> May 21, 2009 Capitol Weekly  
   

• Suit questions smelt protection. No commercial activity threatening fish, plaintiffs argue - - The Pacific Legal Foundation sued the federal government on Thursday, challenging its authority to protect the Delta smelt under the federal Endangered Species Act. The Delta smelt is a tiny fish that exists only in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Its protected status under the ESA has contributed to Delta pumping reductions, which have placed added pressure on San Joaquin Valley farmers suffering from drought conditions. "One question that we think has not been adequately addressed is the actual authority of FWS to put these restrictions into place," said PLF attorney Damien Schiff. The fish exists within a single state and carries no commercial value, the plaintiffs argue. No particular commercial activity is threatening the smelt's survival, and the fish has no normal impact on commerce, they argue. <more> May 21, 2009 Capital Press
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice
   

• House Ag Committee hears arguments against indirect land use - - The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing Thursday to review carbon fuel-standard proposals being implemented by the EPA and the California Air Resources Board. According to a DTN report on the hearing, most of the discussion centered around the emission challenges that indirect land use rules place on domestic biofuels such as ethanol and soy biodiesel. House Ag Committee Chair Collin Peterson and ranking member Frank Lucas have co-sponsored a bill that would strip indirect land use provisions from the Renewable Fuels Standard. The House Ag Committee, however, cannot mark up the legislation because it was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. That committee defeated a similar amendment on Wednesday as lawmakers continued debating the climate change bill. <more> May 21, 2009 Brownfield Ag News  

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

• UC forms Animal Welfare Advisory Council - - The University of California has established the UC Animal Welfare Advisory Council to review issues of animal welfare related to animal agriculture, and to promote the development of recommendations based on sound science to improve the welfare of livestock and poultry. The council, chaired by UC Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources Daniel M. Dooley, is comprised of veterinarians, animal science professionals, and other experts from the University of California system, the California State University system, Colorado State University and the private sector. California Poultry Federation President Bill Mattos applauded the formation of the council. "The CPF is very supportive of this effort by the University of California to make sure that sound science serves as the basis for animal care," said Mattos. "The California poultry industry is proud of its commitment to high animalwelfare standards and looks forward to the leadership this council will provide."  Bennie Osburn, dean of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and vice chair of the council, said,"The UC Animal Welfare Council brings together broad perspectives and specialized expertise to address the humane care and treatment of agricultural animals, while supporting the efforts of producers to provide safe and healthy food products for society."   <more> May 19, 2009 UC Press Release  
   

• Ohio egg farmers and Humane Society prepare for fight -  - The Ohio farm lobby and the Humane Society of the United States are girding for a fight over the confinement of farm animals, with the Washington-based society saying it is confident voters will side with animals and farmers saying the group's real goal is to reduce consumption of animal products. The Humane Society met with Ohio Farm Bureau Federation leaders, the Ohio Cattlemen's Association, the Ohio Pork Producers Council and the Ohio Poultry Association in February to deliver this message: Ohio farmers must agree to change their animal husbandry practices or have the practices changed for them via the ballot box. "When we met with those industry leaders, we suggested we come to a meeting of the minds with a plan to phase out confinement systems in the state," Humane Society president Wayne Pacelle said Tuesday. "My suggestion to agricultural leaders in Ohio was not to squander money on a campaign that was likely to fail." <more> May 20, 2009 AP
   

• HSUS Launches Attacks to Remove, Eliminate WBS-TV Video - - On Monday, I wrote about how an ABC News affiliate station (WBS-TV) reported on the misconceptions consumers may have about the Humane Society of the United States. They questioned why so many individuals donate to an organization that does little to actually help animals. In addition, they pointed out how HSUS eagerly takes advantage of media exposure, taking credit for animal efforts around the country. This video exposed the realities of this powerful organization, and this bold report has caused quite a stir in the aftermath. HSUS aggressively worked to pull the plug on this video before it did too much damage to their reputation. They quickly pushed WBS-TV to take the video off of its website, and they have accomplished in getting all of the text versions removed from Google, as well. The link I included of the video on Monday is now invalid, and leads me to YouTube, where I’m invited to check out a response on the WBS-TV video from HSUS President Wayne Pacelle. <more> May 20, 2009 Beef Blog    
   

• CPF summer meeting reservation deadline June 11 - - Reservations are being taken for CPF’s summer meeting, set for July 13-14 at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The Cliffs Resort has provided special rates for Sunday and Monday evenings. June 11 is the deadline to make hotel reservations with the CPF. There will be a golf tournament Monday, July 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Avila Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the hotel.  The CPF and some allied members will sponsor the reception and dinner.   Following the tourney, the reception, awards and dinner following golf will be held at the Avila Beach home of Richard and Kathy Zacky.  This will be a fun and interesting evening featuring a steak, turkey and chicken barbeque   I have enclosed a flyer that lists the various rates.  This is a reminder that we will handle your reservation requests, so please return the postcards ASAP. Sponsorship opportunities for the golf tourney and reception are available by contacting CPF President Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. May 20, 2009
   

• Schwarzenegger promises big budget cuts -- Saying California voters delivered a message to "go all out" in cutting government spending, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today promised to make severe state budget reductions in education, health care and law enforcement. "We tried to not make those kind of cuts, but now we have to," the Republican governor told reporters in Washington. "There's no other choice. I think the message was clear from the people: Go all out and make those cuts and live within your means." Schwarzenegger thanked Californians for voting in Tuesday's special election. They rejected ballot measures endorsed by the governor that would have reduced the cuts to $15 billion. And the governor said the message was "very loud and clear." "And you know something? I appreciate that," Schwarzenegger said. "When you hear that from the people, then it gives us a chance to go and adjust and say, `OK, we went the wrong direction. Now let's go in the right direction. Let's go do what the people want.' “<more> May 20, 2009 Sacramento Bee  
   

• Farms Start to Feel Credit Pinch - - The credit crunch is trickling down to the farm as agricultural lenders tighten credit standards, leaving some farmers short of money to feed their animals or put in crops as the planting season nears its end. Deepening slumps in the livestock, dairy and ethanol industries have contributed to mounting troubles for rural lenders. That is making it harder for some growers to borrow money they need to buy seed, fertilizer, equipment and animal feed. "It's tough," said Bruce Drinkman, a 46-year-old dairy farmer in Glenwood City, Wis., who recently had his credit line drastically reduced. "My whole lifetime of work could be destroyed." Borrowing is important to farmers this time of year as they try to finish up planting before it's too late -- generally by mid-June, depending on the region. Fertilizer and other costs remain high; farm-production expenses this year are expected to make up 79% of gross farm income, an increase from last year, the Agriculture Department said. <more> May 19, 2009 Wall Street Journal  
   

• Obama wants tougher tailpipe emissions law - - President Obama today will announce a national standard for tailpipe emissions patterned after California's pending rule requiring automakers to build more fuel-sipping vehicles and make drastic cuts in greenhouse gases, a senior administration official said Monday. The federal standard would be less stringent than California's regulation, which awaits a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but it could have a larger impact in fighting global warming by involving all 50 states, the official said. Obama's plan is a compromise that includes the support of automakers who have fought California's request for a waiver, arguing for a nationwide fuel-efficiency standard rather than what they've billed as a patchwork of state rules. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is scheduled to be with Obama today when he makes the announcement, applauded the president. "California's relentless push for greenhouse gas reductions from automobiles is paying off not just for our state," he said, "but for all Americans, for our environment, for automakers and our economy." <more> May 19, 2009 SF Chronicle    
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Swine Flu--What Next? by Dr. Carol Cardona; Animal Welfare;  Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice

Monday May 18, 2009

• Pacific Ethanol files for bankruptcy - - Pacific Ethanol, Inc. announced May 18 that its subsidiaries which own its four wholly-owned ethanol production facilities have filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the District of Delaware in an effort to restructure their indebtedness. The company and its marketing subsidiaries, Kinergy Marketing LLC and Pacific Ag.Products, LLC (PAP), have not filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company is expected to continue to manage the plant subsidiaries under an asset management agreement and Kinergy and PAP are expected to continue to market and sell the plant subsidiaries’ ethanol and feed production under existing marketing agreements. <more> May 18, 2009 BioFuels Business
   

• Bill seeks to extend Prop. 2 rules -- A state Assembly bill aims to expand the reach of Proposition 2, which will ban small hen cages at California egg farms as of 2015. The bill, endorsed by some of the opponents of the November ballot measure, would extend the ban to out-of-state farms for eggs they sell in California. This would get around one of the main complaints about Proposition 2 — that California's industry will suffer if companies elsewhere can use the less expensive small-cage production. The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, and has support from animal-rights groups that were behind the ballot measure. Co-authors include Assemblyman Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto, who had opposed Proposition 2. He could not be reached by The Bee on Friday, but he told the Riverside Press-Enterprise that the bill would "keep our folks competitive." <more> May 16, 2009 Modesto Bee
   

• Salmonella a dilemma for poultry industry - - Salmonella control was the hottest topic of discussion at USPOULTRY's Processor Workshop in Atlanta this week. Dr. Isabel Arrington, scientific advisor to the Policy Development Division of USDA FSIS, presented an update on FSIS initiatives, and salmonella was high on the list. Arrington said that cases of human salmonellosis per 100,000 people in the U.S. are not declining and that the country will likely not meet its healthy people 2010 objective for salmonellosis. This is in spite of the fact that the incidence of salmonella on post-chill broiler and turkey carcasses has declined over the last decade. These two facts reminded me of what some technical folks for poultry companies told me almost 20 years ago. They said that poultry wasn't the major cause of human salmonellosis and we will do a lot of work to reduce numbers on raw product, but it won't have a significant impact on human health, and then what will happen? <more> May 18, 2009 WattPoulltry.com    
   

• ABC News Atlanta Exposé on Where Humane Society Donations Really Go - - Here is a better link to an item we ran Friday on a Atlanta TV station’s investigation into millions of dollars in donations given to the Humane Society of the United States. A national consumer organization says the society solicits pet-lovers for money, but little to none of that money ever goes to help local shelters. Critics tell Channel 2 Action News reporter Amanda Rosseter that this isn't just consumers misunderstanding who they are giving to -- but an organization actively misleading donors to get money. “They do their marketing very well, that's for sure,” said Trey Burley of PAWS Atlanta. Critics say the national organization takes advantage of people who think they are giving to local shelters. DeKalb's "PAWS" shelter says there is no regular funding help from the $100 million HSUS budget. May 18, 2009 WSBTV  
   

• Potential showdown in House involving climate change, indirect land use - - A potential showdown is brewing in the House of Representatives between farm state lawmakers and supporters of climate change legislation. The House Agriculture Committee, led by chair Collin Peterson, has introduced a bill called “The Renewable Fuel Standard Improvement Act”. The legislation would take indirect land use out of the EPA’s calculations of the carbon footprint of biofuels. Peterson tells Agriculture Online that until that legislation becomes law, he will work to defeat any climate change legislation on the floor of the House of Representatives. Peterson and other supporters of biofuels are unhappy with what they say were four “last-minute changes” to the 2007 energy bill. One was using indirect land use to calculate greenhouse gas emissions from biofuels. The three other last-minute changes made it harder to produce biomass for cellulosic ethanol. <more> May 18, 2009 Brownfield Ag News  
   

• To harvest legal workers, we need to pass AgJOBS - - By Mary Sanchez- - In spring, whenever storm clouds gather heavy with hail capable of ripping fragile crops to shreds, my mother always says: "I'm sure glad I'm not a farmer anymore, depending on the weather, which is so undependable." In late summer, as the rains become scarce and harvests are endangered, there she is again: "I'm sure glad I'm not a farmer anymore, depending on the weather, which is so undependable." I'll add my own refrain on behalf of the less than 2 percent of the U.S. work force still involved in agriculture: "I'm sure glad I'm not a farmer trying to hire immigrant agricultural help legally, depending on the whims of Congress, which is so undependable." Some half a million U.S. farmers are in just that situation. They have more than 3 million agricultural jobs to fill every year, much of it seasonal labor. Many find few options other than hiring illegal immigrants. <more> May 18, 2009 Modesto Bee  
   

• California's broken system for water delivery - - Near the end of a 117-mile canal that takes delta water to the heart of one of California's richest agricultural regions, thousands of farmworkers and their supporters gathered in mid-April to demand more water. The main artery connecting the vast farms of the western San Joaquin Valley to the heart of California's water delivery system — the delta — is going dry, leaving the nation's largest irrigation district without much of its most unpredictable commodity, water. For farmers and their employee, the effects are dramatic. Unemployment in Mendota, the southern terminus of the Delta-Mendota Canal, is at 40 percent. Fields are drying up and the possibility is real that some farms might go out of business. But even among the thousands of protesters who were preparing for a four-day march, one was as likely to find employees of farms with plenty of water as not. Those who retain historic water rights on the San Joaquin River do not have to depend on delta pumps, and they have full shares. <more> May 18, 2009 Contra Costa Times   
   

• Drought is the cause of economic suffering - - Central Valley farmworkers – a large share of whom are Latino – have worked with farmers and business people for decades to make California the world's major producer of fruits, vegetables, nuts and other commodities. The agriculture industry is a major producer of California jobs as well as food. History and firsthand experience tell us that when there is water there also are jobs and prosperity. However, this year we face devastating drought conditions and hyper-unemployment, greatly intensified by court-ordered water cutbacks. We have been vocal about the primary cause of our hardship: drought. At the same time, we also are being attacked by those who would like nothing more than for us to just shut up, accept our terrible conditions and take our place quietly on the sidelines. Recently, an associate professor at the University of the Pacific in Stockton released an economic forecast that said high unemployment in the Central Valley was not caused by the drought. Incredibly, he went on to suggest that farm payrolls are somehow a jobs bonanza. <more> May 18, 2009 Sacramento Bee     
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Animal Welfare, Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice

Friday, May 15, 2009

• Producers want to comply with Prop. 2 but are unsure how to proceed - - Figuring out how to comply with Proposition 2's mandates is the first challenge for the newly formed Association of California Egg Farmers. Proposition 2, passed by 7.5 million California voters, is also known as the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act. It includes housing requirements for veal calves and pigs, but was aimed primarily at the state's 19 million egg-laying hens. The act does not include exact measurements for housing space that must be provided for each hen, but mandates that hens must be able to spread their wings without touching the cage or another chicken. The association, announced May 11, will be an advocate on state policies that affect the state's egg industry. Since the passage of Prop. 2 last November, the state's egg producers have raised plenty of questions about what they'll need to do to comply with the new law for housing hens. Without some idea of how to proceed with changes in hen housing, producers can't begin to work with lenders or even calculate their return on investment, said ACEF spokeswoman Fiona Hutton. <more> May 14, 2009 Capital Press
   

• Law would impose Prop. 2 rules on out-of-state eggs - - With voters having imposed cage-size restrictions on California egg producers, lawmakers want to impose the same rules on out-of-state producers. Proposition 2, approved overwhelmingly by voters in November, prohibits farmers from keeping chickens, pigs and veal calves in tight confinement.  AB1437, introduced by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, De-San Rafael, would impose the same rules on on out-of-state producers who sell eggs to California. The bill is co-authored by Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, and Assemblyman Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto.  The bill was recommended for passage on the agenda of the Assembly Appropriations committee on Wednesday. <more> May 14, 2009 Capital Press
   

• Where Humane Society Donations Really Go - - A Channel 2 (Atlanta) investigation is looking into millions of dollars in donations given to the Humane Society of the United States. A national consumer organization says the society solicits pet-lovers for money, but little to none of that money ever goes to help local shelters. Critics tell Channel 2 Action News reporter Amanda Rosseter that this isn't just consumers misunderstanding who they are giving to -- but an organization actively misleading donors to get money. “They do their marketing very well, that's for sure,” said Trey Burley of PAWS Atlanta. Critics say the national organization takes advantage of people who think they are giving to local shelters. DeKalb's "PAWS" shelter says there is no regular funding help from the $100 million HSUS budget. <more> May 15, 2009 WSBTV.com 
   

• HSUS watch: Fund-raising on "factory farming", siphoning cash away from real animal issues - - By Teresa Platt, executive director, Fur Commission USA - - By now everyone in the U.S. who cares about animals, wild and domesticated, is aware of the animal rights movement and its 300-pound vegan gorilla, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). While animal abuse is already illegal in all 50 states, HSUS's President/CEO Wayne Pacelle addressed a group of farmers and praised them, stating "Farmers are outstanding Americans and they know how to do their job." He then enlightened them on how HSUS will allocate resources in its latest campaign, a crusade against cowboys, chicken farmers and modern-day animal agriculture which HSUS derisively calls "Factory Farming." Just another battle in the animal rights war, HSUS relies on a highly effective blueprint developed in its zero-tolerance battle against the vital role animal research plays in our society. This blueprint has three components: The Three R's: Refinement, Reduction and Replacement. <more> may 15, 2009 Fur Commission Blog   
   

• Jury: Chicken Litter Not Cause of Cancer - - Three area poultry producers did not cause a Prairie Grove man's cancer, a Washington County jury decided Thursday. Nine of 12 jurors agreed Tyson Foods, Simmons and George's were not to blame for Michael "Blu" Green's leukemia. Green's attorneys alleged arsenic exposure from chicken litter spread on fields as fertilizer caused his cancer. The jury deliberated for about two hours Thursday, after two weeks of trial. The poultry companies should have known Roxarzone, an additive in chicken feed, breaks down into arsenic after passing through the birds, and arsenic from litter spread on fields in the Prairie Grove area could cause cancer, Green's attorneys argued. There's no link between arsenic exposure and leukemia, poultry company lawyers asserted. The jury didn't see a link either. <more> May 15, 2009 The Morning News
   

• Florez bill restricts ag when Valley bans fireplace use -- If Valley residents can't put a log on the fire on smoggy days, then growers should not burn farm waste, says state Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter. The state Senate on Thursday approved Florez's proposed restriction, passing a bill that would invalidate farm burn permits on any day the Valley air districts prohibits fireplace burning. "What really irritates people," Florez said, is when "they can't burn their fireplaces and they see an ag field on fire." Senate Bill 382 passed by a 23-14 vote, with most Republicans opposed. The bill now heads to the Assembly. Residential wood burning is banned on winter days when particle pollution lingers in the cold air. Regulators operate a separate program for ag burning in which growers must get permits before they set fires. <more> May 15, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• House committee reaches deal on cap-and-trade plan - - Congressional leaders who support a new cap on greenhouse-gas emissions reached agreement on a plan Thursday to ease the burden it will impose on refiners, paving the way for a key House panel to vote on the climate-change proposal next week. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., signed off on the compromise with Texas Democrats Gene Green and Charles Gonzalez. The cornerstone of their deal was a commitment to donate 2 percent of valuable carbon dioxide emissions permits to refiners. The compromise on refiners could help Waxman and Markey steer their contentious climate-change measure through the 59-member Energy and Commerce Committee next week. <more> May 15, 2009 SF Chronicle 
   

• Food Companies Are Placing the Onus for Safety on Consumers - - The frozen pot pies that sickened an estimated 15,000 people with salmonella in 2007 left federal inspectors mystified. At first they suspected the turkey. Then they considered the peas, carrots and potatoes. The pie maker, ConAgra Foods, began spot-checking the vegetables for pathogens, but could not find the culprit. It also tried cooking the vegetables at high temperatures, a strategy the industry calls a “kill step,” to wipe out any lingering microbes. But the vegetables turned to mush in the process. So ConAgra — which sold more than 100 million pot pies last year under its popular Banquet label — decided to make the consumer responsible for the kill step. The “food safety” instructions and four-step diagram on the 69-cent pies offer this guidance: “Internal temperature needs to reach 165° F as measured by a food thermometer in several spots.” Increasingly, the corporations that supply Americans with processed foods are unable to guarantee the safety of their ingredients. <more> May 15, 2009 NY Times 
   

• Nicole Parra survives state cuts - - Nicole Parra skipped through the state's drastic budget cuts unscathed. She'll hold on to the $128,000-a-year job the governor recently created for her. "Her position is not a general fund position," a spokeswoman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office said Thursday, following an afternoon press conference that included news of 5,000 pink slips headed out to state employees. Parra's January appointment to a newly minted economic development post raised eyebrows at the time. <more> May 15, 2009 Bakersfield Californian  
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Animal Welfare, Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice

Thursday, May 14, 2009

• Oklahoma says state has oversight on animal well being issues - - The Oklahoma House of Representatives has easily passed HB2151 that mandates the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture is the legal entity in the state to oversee animal well being issues in Oklahoma. We have audio comments from Don Armes, Chairman of the House Ag Committee, on the passage of this measure on Tuesday (May 5)- and his thoughts on the message it sends to animal rights activists about how the legislature feels about protecting animal agriculture in the state. Click on the Listen Bar below for that audio. The House passed the measure by a 87 to 9 vote, which means that House members accepted the Senate Amendments to the measure. On Tuesday May 12, Governor Brad Henry signed this measure into law.  <more> May 14, 2009 Oklahoma Farm Report
   

• Sen. Feinstein Introduces Legislation to Relieve Labor Crisis in Agriculture - - California Sen. Dianne Feinstein today re-introduced legislation to provide much-needed relief to the nation’s ongoing agriculture labor shortage. The Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act (AgJOBS) would reform the broken H-2A seasonal worker program, provide farmers with the stable, legal workforce they deserve, and offer a pathway to citizenship for hard-working, law-abiding immigrants already employed on American farms. “Today across the United States, there are not enough agricultural workers to pick, prune, pack or harvest our country’s crops. With an inadequate supply of workers, farmers from Maine to California, and from Washington State to Georgia, have watched their produce rot and their farms lay fallow over the years,” Senator Feinstein said. “As a result, billions of dollars are being drained out of our already struggling economy. This legislation would help to ensure a consistent, reliable agriculture work force to ensure that farmers and growers never again lose their crops because of a lack of workers.” <more> May 14, 2009 Feinstein Press Release
   

• Pilgrim's Eyes Life After Bankruptcy - - A Pilgrim's Pride Corp. spokesman says the multinational producer of chicken products, which is operating under bankruptcy protection, is showing signs of weathering its current economic storm. Ray Atkinson, director of corporate communications for Pilgrim's Pride, said Monday that last week's financial reports are a sign the company, which has plants in Rockingham County and Moorefield, W.Va., is returning to profitability. On Thursday, Pilgrim's Pride filed its second-quarter earnings report with the Securities and Exchange Commission, showing the company lost $58.8 million in the three-month period that ended March 28. In spite of that loss, it represents a "huge improvement" compared to the same time frame a year ago, Atkinson said. Pilgrim's reported a $111.4 million loss for the second quarter of 2008. <more> May 14, 2009  DNRonline.com 
   

• Rising Calls to Regulate California Groundwater - - For the third year in a row, Mark Watte plans to rely on the aquifer beneath his family farm for three-quarters of the water he needs to keep his cotton, corn and alfalfa growing, his young pistachio trees healthy and his 900 dairy cows cool. That is 50 percent more than he used to take, because the water that once flowed to the farm from snow in the Sierra Nevada has been reduced by a long dry spell and diversions to benefit endangered fish. Since 2006 the surface of the aquifer, in the Kaweah subbasin of the San Joaquin basin, has dropped 50 feet as farmers pumped deeper, Mr. Watte says. Some of his pumps no longer reach far enough to bring any water to the surface. If he lived in almost any other state in the arid Southwest, Mr. Watte could be required to report his withdrawals of groundwater or even reduce them. But to California’s farmers and developers, that is anathema. “I don’t want the government to come in and dictate to us, ‘This is all the water you can use on your own land,’ ” said Mr. Watte, 57. “We would resist that to our dying day.” <more> May 14, 2009 NY Times
   

• Lessons learned from swine flu crisis? I think not - - The current flu scare seems to be over, thankfully. So, what have learned from it? Nothing new, very unfortunately.  The poultry industry has seen all this before, particularly in 2005 and 2006, and nothing has changed three years later: the press panicked, the public panicked and stopped eating a food product, countries stopped importing this food product; all of this to the detriment of one agribusiness sector.  2006 was a very bad year for the poultry exporting countries, particularly the US and Brazil. Likewise, 2009 is looking to be a very bad year for pork exporting countries, particularly the US, Mexico and Canada. (It was already forecast to be a tough year for pork exports.) Back in 2005/2006 the poultry industry complained about how horrible the press coverage was, how they got it all wrong, and therefore scared their audiences out of eating chicken. The alarmist press coverage these last two weeks has already been a much discussed issue. Nothing’s changed. <more> May 14, 2009 AnimalAgNet.com    
   

• Schwarzenegger says employee layoffs, education cuts in the works- - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday called for laying off thousands of state employees and slashing billions from education to deal with California's latest budget deficit. He called the cuts painful but said he was left with no other choice as the nation's most populous state sinks further into the fiscal abyss. Billions of dollars in spending cuts and tax increases imposed earlier this year have not been enough to keep up with a sharp drop in tax revenue as the recession batters the state's economy. The state faces a deficit of $15.4 billion in the fiscal year that starts July 1. That will grow to $21.3 billion if voters reject the budget-related measures during a special election next week. <more> May 14, 2009 AP  
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Animal Welfare, Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice
   

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

• Details of Foster Farms Louisiana chicken plant deal released - - - Poultry products company Foster Farms must hire 650 workers within two months and 1,000 within a year at a chicken plant in Farmerville to avoid financial penalties under an agreement the company signed with the state for public assistance in buying the facility. The agreement, released by state officials Tuesday, revealed new details about the deal that Gov. Bobby Jindal's team struck with the California food processor in an effort to save the plant from closing. Pilgrim's Pride has idled the plant as part of its reorganization under the supervision of a federal bankruptcy court. Foster Farms plans to buy the complex from Pilgrim's Pride for $80 million and make $20 million in improvements. The governor will give Foster Farms $40 million toward the purchase and $10 million toward the upgrades. <more> May 13, 2009 New Orleans Times-Picayune
   

• Bill would apply caged hen rules to out-of-state eggs - - California's upcoming ban on small cages for egg-laying hens would be extended to out-of-state egg producers if a bill moving through the Legislature becomes law.  The state's $648 million egg industry so far is neutral on the legislation, which is championed by the same groups that backed Prop. 2, the successful November ballot initiative that requires more room for chickens and other farm animals.  The bill, though, already has received support from legislators who opposed Prop. 2. They say it will help California's egg industry compete with out-of-state egg producers who, under current law, will not need to comply with Prop. 2 when its rules take effect in 2015 "I think there's a general consensus out there that if our industries have to do certain things for the housing of poultry, then we don't think it's too much to ask the rest of the country to adhere to the same rules that we do, just to keep our folks competitive," said Assemblyman Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto, a co-author of AB 1437. He opposed Prop. 2.. <more> May 13, 2009 Riverside Press Enterprise
   

• Egg bill pushed by unusual alliance - - Valley Republicans opposed last year's ballot measure banning small cages for egg-laying hens in the state. But now at least a couple of those lawmakers are supporting a bill that expands the restriction.  AB 1437, supported by the Humane Society of the United States, would prohibit the sale in California of out-of-state eggs produced by farms that don't adhere to the California standard, which under Prop. 2 requires that certain farm animals have room to move freely. The bill passed the Assembly Agriculture Committee recently on a unanimous vote, including "ayes" from Assembly members Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto, and Connie Conway, R-Tulare. <more> May 13, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Animal Welfare, Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice
   

• Oprah’s Hypocritical KFC Coupon Deal - - KFC is now offering recalls to a huge number of people after Oprah offered free coupons for Kentucky Grilled Chicken Meals at her website. Winfrey said the offer was simply a gesture to help her viewers struggling with the effects of recession, but now she is getting “grilled” for this major contradiction in her many outspoken views. Why is Oprah, a past PETA person of the year, offering chicken meals to her viewers? PETA said they awarded Oprah with this title because, “She used her show to uncover horrific cases of cruelty to animals in puppy mills and on factory farms, and Oprah even used the show to highlight the cruelty-free vegan diet that she tried!” Now, the animal rights activists are in a complete frenzy and are upset that their “trophy girl” has contradicted their views on animal rights. I think this is just another example of how Oprah has a completely flawed idea of her true morals and values, and she can’t stand on both side of the fence and preach to the world anymore. What does Oprah REALLY stand for anyway? In the end, it’s kind of hysterical to see her get in a little hot water for this hypocrisy. <more> May 13, 2009 Beef Blog
   

• Summer forecast points to ample electricity for state -- California's consumers can expect adequate electricity this summer according to a California Energy Commission analysis in the Summer 2009 Demand and Supply Outlook. Although the snow pack and forecast runoff averages are still below normal, there is sufficient hydroelectric to meet peak power loads even with hotter-than-average temperatures. "California is in a healthy position this year to meet summer's peak electricity demand," commented Melissa Jones, California Energy Commission Executive Director. "It is, however, essential that we add new generation to keep pace to meet the state's peak demand needs."<more> May 13, 2009 CEC Press Release    
   

• Leopold Conservation Award Seeks California Farmers, Ranchers Who Exemplify Sound Land Stewardship - - In partnership with Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau Federation, the Sand County Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2009 California Leopold Conservation Award.The award recognizes private landowners' commitment to responsible environmental stewardship and land management. The award also aims to inspire others to become effective environmental stewards, and help the public understand the important role dedicated farmers and ranchers play in sustaining a healthy environment. Rewarding and exemplifying landowners' commitment to protecting natural resources is crucial - as a majority of the nation's remaining wild places and species are located on or near private property. <more> May 13, 2009 SUSCON Press Release  
   

• California's election turnout expected to be tiny - - Compared to the record number of California voters who cast ballots in November's historic presidential contest, Tuesday's special election should be the equivalent of a democratic hangover. Voters generally participate less in special elections outside the even-year cycle, but they have shown even greater levels of apathy and resentment this time around, election experts say. "This election has not captured voters' imagination in any way, shape or form," said Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll. "Most voters have a limited knowledge or interest in what's taking place May 19."  The Tuesday contest contains six measures that the Legislature placed on the ballot as part of a February budget compromise with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The proposals range from a spending limit and tax hike (Proposition 1A) to borrowing $5 billion against future California Lottery revenues (Proposition 1C).<more> May 13, 2009 Sacramento Bee

   

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

• Motion seeks testimony excluded in Oklahoma poultry case -- An expert scientist's testimony in an Oklahoma poultry litter pollution trial should be excluded because it's unreliable, confusing and unfairly prejudicial if presented to a jury, 13 Arkansas poultry companies claim in a new legal motion. In a 431-page document filed Friday in federal court, the companies want a judge to exclude the testimony of Valerie Harwood, a professor at the University of South Florida. Harwood is one of Oklahoma's expert witnesses in the state's 2005 lawsuit against the companies over allegedly polluting the 1 million-acre Illinois River watershed with bird waste. A trial is expected to begin in September. "As we explained in court last year, claims of scientific breakthroughs by experts working under the direction of lawyers in litigation should be viewed skeptically," said Gary Mickelson, a spokesman for Tyson Foods, one of the companies named in the lawsuit. "Science should be developed in laboratories and universities, not in courtrooms." <more> May 12, 2009 AP
   

• Urban chicken movement garnering followers - - Chickens could be coming to roost in a backyard near you. Across the country, people are joining the national urban chicken movement, sometimes turning outlaw to raise the birds. The movement started with the rationale that raising chickens fits in with efforts toward local and pure foods, supporters say, and the eggs are fresh and flavorful. The animals also are entertaining pets, many say. In Mission, Kan., the City Council recently sent to committee a proposal to change its law to allow urban chickens. Jerritt Dayhoff requested the change because her family would like to raise five or six chickens. She is a former Jackson County public defender who grew up on a farm, she said. "Chickens are a heck of a lot quieter and cleaner than dogs," said Dayhoff, 33. They make interesting pets, she said. And, she added, "It's nice to tell your kids your breakfast came from Myrtle or Madge." <more> May 12, 2009 McClatchy Newspapers
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Dr. Joy Mench from UC Davis on Animal Welfare, Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice

Monday, May 11, 2009

• Foster Farms, Pilgrim’s Pride agree to La. plant deal -- The two poultry product companies negotiating the $80 million purchase of a north Louisiana chicken processing plant have agreed to the terms of a deal that could fulfill Gov. Bobby Jindal's goal of keeping the 1,300-employee facility from closing.  Foster Farms of Livingston, Calif., announced Friday that is has entered into a definitive agreement with Pilgrim's Pride Corp. of Pittsburg, Texas, to acquire the Pilgrim's complex in Farmerville and that the sale is imminent. "Foster Farms is looking forward to expanding our operations into the state of Louisiana," said Chief Executive Officer Ron Foster, whose company currently operates only on the West Coast. "Foster Farms anticipates upgrading and adding to the capabilities of the Farmerville complex." <more> May 9, 2009 New Orleans Times Picayune
   

• Association of California Egg Farmers Created To Serve as an Advocate for the Industry - - The state’s egg producers today announced the creation of the Association of California Egg Farmers (ACEF), a nonprofit statewide trade association to serve as their advocate on state policies affecting the industry and to ensure the continued production of fresh and affordable eggs that meet the food safety and animal care standards consumers expect. The nonprofit association will serve as the voice for California egg farmers and an industry that is critical to the state’s economy and food supply. The state’s egg farmers produce 4.9 billion eggs a year, providing a fresh, affordable source of food and making California the fifth largest egg producer in the country. Most of the state’s egg farms are family owned, and they generate thousands of jobs for Californians, especially in economically hard-hit rural areas. “The state’s egg farmers have a long history of providing a safe, healthy and nutritious source of food for California’s families,” said ACEF Executive Director Debbie Murdock. “The egg farmers are establishing the Association of California Egg Farmers to ensure they can continue to meet consumer expectations for fresh and affordable eggs that meet food safety and animal care standards.” One of the association’s first tasks will be addressing the implementation of Proposition 2, a ballot measure California voters approved in November 2008. The ballot measure imposes new mandates on how the state’s egg producers house their egg-laying hens. “California egg farmers respect the voters’ decision and want to comply with Proposition 2, but the initiative’s language is so vague that producers don’t know what they need to do to meet the new mandates and avoid jail sentences,” said Ms. Murdock. The initiative provides no clear standards or guidelines for determining the amount of space the hens need to meet the new mandates. The new law doesn’t say whether the enclosures – including cage-free enclosures – currently used by California egg producers will comply with the law. It also does not say how – or if – farmers can modify the existing enclosures to meet the mandates. ACEF will be seeking avenues to obtain clarification on the requirements of Proposition 2. “California’s egg producers need clear-cut standards and guidelines to determine if they can comply with the law and continue to humanely produce fresh and affordable eggs under Proposition 2,” said Ms. Murdock. “The state’s egg farmers also need clear-cut standards and guidelines to obtain the financing they may need to invest in the design and construction of potential new housing systems.” May 11, 2009 ACEF Press Release
   

• Bill intended to extend Proposition 2 out-of-state  - - California’s $648 million egg industry is – so far – neutral on legislation that would extend the Proposition 2 ban on small cages for egg-laying hens to out-of-state producers. The bill is being championed by the same groups that backed Proposition 2 according to the report in PE.com. Supporters, reportedly including legislators who opposed Proposition 2, say the bill will help California's egg industry compete with out-of-state producers who, under current law, will not need to comply with the ruling when it takes effect in 2015. An Assembly committee analysis of the bill raised concerns that expanding Proposition 2's rules to out-of-state egg producers could violate the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution meant to prevent states from restricting imports from other states. <more> May 11, 2009 WattPoultry.com  
   

• BindMax Proteins Launches Revamped Website - -  BindMax Proteins, which provides many of the world’s largest meat and poultry processors with more than 70 unique functional ingredient blends, announced today the launch of a fully revamped website with enhanced features for users. Highlights of the new site (http://www.bindmax.com)  include real-time updates on grains commodities (corn, oats, rice and soybeans), as well as new and archived columns by Rick Cassidy, vice president of product development for BindMax Proteins and a world renowned food scientist with more than 35 experience. Cassidy writes on marketplace trends and provides food processing insights.Another feature of the new site is the ability of users to place online orders. BindMax clients can order product, and they and others can also order product samples for consideration.The site also includes industry news updates and information on BindMax’s unique technology and its benefits. “This new website is far more robust than our previous version and we believe it will become a go-to source for industry news and insights, in addition of course to providing a wealth of information about BindMax,” said Tom Colleton, vice president, BindMax.  May 11, 2009 BindMax Press Release
   

• Former CDFA Deputy Secretary Rayne Pegg named to USDA post - - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of Rayne Pegg as Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).  Pegg most recently served as the Deputy Secretary of Legislation and Policy for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. In this role, she was the principle advisor to both the Secretary of the Department and the cabinet of the Governor of California on the Department's legislative and policy issues. AMS is part of USDA's Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission area which works to ensure a productive and competitive global and domestic marketplace for U.S. agricultural products. Pegg will begin serving in this role in early July. "Rayne Pegg brings years of experience to USDA from her work on agricultural issues both as a distinguished public servant and in the non-profit community," said Vilsack. "Rayne's background makes her the ideal person to further the development of programs to ensure efficient, fair marketing of U.S. agricultural products as we work to meet the needs of consumers and industries and provide a safe, sustainable food supply for all Americans."  <more> May 11, 2009 USDA Press Release  
   

• Drought, Politics Trouble Farmers In California - - California is in its third year of drought, and many farmers in the state's crop-rich Central Valley are looking at dusty fields, or worse, are cutting down their orchards before the trees die. Hardest hit is Westlands, the biggest irrigated region in the country, where much of the nation's fruit, nuts and produce come from. This year, farmers have been told they are getting only a small fraction of the water they need.  And so a few weeks ago, Ty and Janet Lompa were doing the unthinkable: cutting down 110 acres of walnut orchards. That's roughly 10,000 trees and a third of their entire acreage. The Lompas are furious because they blame government, not nature, for the death of their trees. And Janet Lompa tells her four children that "the politicians gave it all to the fish" when they ask why there's no water. Farmers throughout this region echo the sentiment that politics, not the drought, is the problem.  <more> May 11, 2009 NPR
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Dr. Joy Mench from UC Davis on Animal Welfare, Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice

Friday, May 8, 2009

• Is chicken worth standing in line for? - - KFC restaurants around the country were flooded with customers holding free-food tickets yesterday. KFC -- hyping its new grilled chicken -- held a promotion with Oprah in which she encouraged people download a coupon for a two free pieces of chicken and two sides. The window to download the coupon is over, but customers are still overwhelming some KFC stores. The assistant manager of the store near Blackstone and McKinley expects today to be busy. Yesterday, they had lines to the door and around the drive-through all day long. At one point, the restaurant ran out of prepared food and customers had to wait while workers made more. Junior Fang estimates the restaurant gave away $3,000 worth of food. <more> May 8, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• Chicken plant bill heads to Louisiana governor - - A bill geared toward helping the poultry industry in northeast Louisiana is headed to Gov. Bobby Jindal’s desk after clearing the state House of Representatives Thursday. To watch a video report by Louisiana Farm Bureau on this action, please click here.  Jindal stood on the gallery beside the House chamber throughout the debate on Senate Bill 283. He had testified in favor of the measure last week at a legislative committee meeting and was in the chamber when the state Senate considered the legislation. The governor chatted with lawmakers while one of his House floor leaders fought off attempts to amend the legislation. <more> May 8, 2009 TheAdvocate.com
   

• Pilgrim's Pride 2Q loss narrows as costs drop - - Chicken producer Pilgrim's Pride Corp., which has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, said Thursday its second-quarter loss narrowed as costs declined in its chicken business. The Pittsburg, Texas-based company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission Thursday that it lost $58.8 million, or 79 cents a share, in the three-month period that ended March 28. That's about half of the company's year-ago reported loss of $111.4 million, or $1.67 a share. Sales fell 19 percent to $1.7 billion from $2.1 billion last year. The company has been curbing production to balance inventory, pricing and demand. <more> May 8, 2009 AP  
   

• Consumers still have positive view of farmers - - Agriculture has suffered its share of hits in the past year. Food prices and animal welfare issues come to mind. But the annual survey of consumer attitudes conducted by the United Soybean Board shows consumers, in general, still have a very positive view of farmers. The survey, which took place in February, surveyed a random sample of one-thousand registered voters with characteristics representative of the U.S. population. Vanessa Kummer of Colfax, North Dakota chairs USB’s communications committee. “It was good to see that the American consumer has a very positive view of farmers—in fact, 95 percent of them do,” says Kummer. “When it comes to animal agriculture, the number is a little lower—but it’s still at 78 percent, which I think is a very good number.” Another part of the survey dealt with consumer attitudes about animal confinement. After hearing that anti-confinement legislation could force Americans to get their milk, eggs and meat from foreign producers, 78 percent of consumers said they would oppose that type of legislation. <more> May 8, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• Culinary Vlogger featured on eatturkey.com - - The National Turkey Federation (NTF) has made weekday meal planning one-step easier with its first turkey cooking video on www.eatturkey.com.   NTF’s culinary video blogger, or vlogger, Dani Spies, a Los Angeles-based health and food coach, creates a healthy Quinoa Stuffed Turkey Breast. Vloggers, as the name suggests, are similar to bloggers but use video instead of words.  “Consumers are using the Internet to get recipe ideas and NTF is pleased to be able to continue launching interactive materials that keeps turkey top of mind, while making meal planning enjoyable and hassle free,” said Sherrie Rosenblatt, NTF’s vice president of marketing and communications.  “As vlogs continue to surge in popularity, NTF wants to capture this audience and bring great content to NTF’s Web site.” Spies’ cooking philosophy to “focus on the positive” is reflected in her Quinoa Stuffed Turkey Breast.  In her video, she motivates at-home chefs to create a super easy dish that won’t take all afternoon to make. “I love the idea of a Stuffed Turkey Breast because you get your turkey and your stuffing all in one.  Plus, from beginning to end, it’s done in less than two hours,” said Spies.  “Not to mention it looks like a fancy elegant meal that seems tricky but it’s not.” May 8, 2009 NTF Press Release
   

• New Food Safety Technology Developed for Eggs - - Good news for fans of raw cookie dough: Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have filed a patent on technology that can protect pasteurized liquid eggs from food safety threats. These threats include both naturally-occurring spoilage bacteria and pathogens. But don't go running for that dough just yet; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration still cautions against consuming raw, unpasteurized eggs or products that contain them. The new technology was developed by Sudarsan Mukhopadhyay, Peggy Tomasula and John Luchansky, researchers at the ARS Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC) in Wyndmoor, Pa. Current pasteurization technology removes heat-sensitive pathogens, but some heat-resistant spoilage microorganisms can survive. Consumers can avoid illness by properly preparing and cooking eggs before consumption, but the researchers have found that new technology can compensate for the shortcomings of thermal pasteurization. <more> May 8, 2009 ARS Press Release 
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Dr. Joy Mench from UC Davis on Animal Welfare, Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice
   

• California left out of key USDA jobs. Obama team shuts out the state in filling USDA positions -- The Obama administration has all but bypassed California in Agriculture Department appointments, even though the state leads all others in farm production. In a remarkable shutout, none of President Barack Obama's 13 Agriculture Department nominees requiring Senate confirmation come from California. At lower levels, too, the state with $36 billion in annual farm production seems shortchanged. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has named some 41 staffers who do not need Senate confirmation. Only two appear to have any California roots, a review of nomination documents show. "I think Mr. Vilsack is a great guy, but I'm very disappointed we don't have more Californians in the administration," said Rep. Dennis Cardoza, a Merced Democrat and member of the House Agriculture Committee. <more> May 8, 2009 Fresno Bee   
   

• Joint Subcommittee Reviews National Animal Identification System - - Two House Subcommittees this week held a joint public hearing to review the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, chaired by Representative David Scott of Georgia, and the Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, chaired by Representative Yvette Clarke of New York, held a joint hearing to examine the identification system's role in protecting U.S. producers and consumers from the effects of an animal disease outbreak. "The National Animal Identification System is a producer's insurance against the potentially devastating economic impacts of a widespread animal disease epidemic," said Chairman Scott.  "A robust animal ID system with full traceability provides protection by helping to preserve producer market access, because it will allow us to more quickly isolate problem animals and stop the spread of illness.  This in turn will allow us to demonstrate to other nations that the U.S. herd is safe and reopen those markets to U.S. goods." "I want to stress that our ability to effectively assess and respond to an animal disease outbreak remains limited until we have a functioning animal ID system in place," said Chairwoman Clarke. "This issue requires our urgent attention." <more> May 6, 2009 House Ag Committee Press Release
   

• Poll: 5 of 6 measures in Calif. election trailing - - Five of the six budget-related measures on California's May 19 special election ballot are trailing, particularly among voters who say they're closely following election news, according to a Public Policy Institute of California poll released Thursday. "The voters who are really tuned in are really turned off," said Mark Baldassare, president and chief executive officer of the San Francisco-based research organization. "They see the state's budget situation as a big problem, but so far they don't like the solution." The six propositions, put on the ballot by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers, are an attempt to deal with the state's persistent budget deficits. <more> May 8, 2009 AP  
   

• Villines is out, Blakeslee in as Assembly GOP leader - - Assembly Republicans on Thursday chose San Luis Obispo's Sam Blakeslee as their new leader after Mike Villines of Clovis said he will resign from the job on June 1. Villines, blasted by GOP activists for agreeing to tax hikes earlier this year, said he realized he could no longer represent Republicans in the lower house. Villines' exit means the San Joaquin Valley has gone from having both Republican leaders to none in the span of three months. Sen. Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto, was dumped as Senate leader by colleagues in February as punishment for agreeing to taxes.<more> May 8, 2009 Sacramento Bee

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

• Assembly leader Villines to resign - - Assembly GOP leader Mike Villines of Clovis is expected to resign his leadership post tomorrow. "Mike is going to be making an announcement tomorrow morning prior to a 9 a.m. caucus meeting," said his spokeswoman, Jennifer Gibbons. She would not discuss details but indications are that Villines will step aside after a more than two-year reign. It is not clear who his replacement will be. Caucus rules require 15 of the Assembly's 29 Republicans to approve the leader and several members could still be scrambling for votes. <more> May 6, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• Blakeslee to become new Republican leader of the Assembly - - Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, a conservative Central Coast Republican in his third term in the Assembly, is in line to replace Assemblyman Mike Villines on Wednesday as the GOP leader of the lower house. The formal vote is expected to take place Thursday morning, but several Republican sources confirmed Blakselee is the choice of his caucus. He is not expected to take over as leader until June 1. The choice of the Assembly's 29-member GOP caucus was confirmed by a Republican lawmaker. A statement from Villines, R-Clovis, said he planned a "major announcement about his future" Thursday morning. <more> May 6, 2009 Capitol Weekly  
   

• NTF creates principles to communicate caring commitment - – Building on its longstanding commitment to responsible business practices from the farm to the nation’s dinner tables, the National Turkey Federation (NTF) and its membership have released “Turkey Industry Principles,” a comprehensive document that communicates the turkey industry’s commitment to animal care, food safety, the environment, industry employees, customers and consumers. “For years NTF has worked with its members to prepare guidelines and best management practices that cover a range of issues important to the industry, “NTF President Joel Brandenberger said.  “But, there was not a single document that the industry, our customers or the general public could reference to fully understand the breadth of our members’ commitment to sound business practices. “Earlier this year, NTF’s Board of Directors directed the preparation of such a document, and we believe the ‘Turkey Industry Principles’ effectively communicates the industry’s dedication to sound policies regarding food safety, animal care, the environment and the workplace,” Brandenberger said. NTF’s Turkey Industry Principles includes a “Code of Ethics” and “Standards of Conduct.”  The Code of Ethics affirms the industry’s obligation to: * Animal Welfare * Environmental Sustainability * Food Safety * Human Resources and Worker Safety. The “Standards of Conduct” explain the industry’s practices that align with its Code of Ethics.   Some of these practices include following NTF’s Animal Care Best Management Practices for the Production of Turkeys and Environmental Best Management Practices. NTF’s Turkey Industry Principles are available at http://www.eatturkey.com/about/service.html.  May 6, 2009 NTF Press Release
   

• Two men indicted for alleged bird smuggling - - A man who allegedly flew from Vietnam to Los Angeles with 14 live birds hidden in his pants was one of two men indicted on smuggling-related charges today by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles. Duc Le, 34, and Sony Dong, 46, are charged in an eight-count indictment with conspiring to smuggle dozens of birds into the United States, including red-whiskered bulbuls, magpie robins and shama thrushes. Both men were arrested last month after investigators determined that Dong had 14 birds fastened to pieces of cloth around his calves, said Asst. U.S. Atty. Mark Williams. A subsequent search revealed dozens more illicit birds, officials said. <more> May 6, 2009 LA Times
   

• What are alternative feed ingredients and how do we best use them? - - The use of alternative feed ingredients for poultry has been a hot topic in the industry for a couple of years now, based on skyrocketing prices for corn and soybeans. But exactly what are alternative feed ingredients and how do we best use them? Those were the questions that a panel of experts dealt with in a presentation titled “Impact of Alternative Ingredients on Poultry Feed and Cost,” during the WATT Online Animal Nutrition and Health Forum April 29. Dr. Nick Dale, from the University of Georgia, pointed out there are some alternative ingredients available, but that quality control of these ingredients is of utmost importance, especially since there are nutrient variations depending on the source of the ingredient. <more> May 6, 209 WattPoultry.com   
   

• Meat industry urges rethink on Chinese chicken - - A group of meat industry representatives has sent a letter to President Obama urging a rethink of legislation banning imported cooked poultry from China, saying it breaches US trade obligations. The 54 signatories, including US trade organizations and food companies, have advised the Obama Administration to oppose a provision in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act preventing the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) from allowing imports of cooked poultry from China. China has voiced its concern about this rule for some time, and filed the case with the World Trade Organization (WTO) on April 17. If it does not reach a resolution within 60 days, China can ask a WTO trade resolution panel to make a decision on the issue. “At a time when US producers are seeking to sell their goods and services abroad during a difficult global economic crisis, it is vital that we uphold our trade obligations,” the letter said. <more> May 6, 2009 FoodNavigator.com   
   

• Mixed reaction to EPA rule on biofuels - - The highly-anticipated release of the EPA’s proposed rule on advanced biofuels is drawing a mixed reaction from the ethanol and corn industries. Jeff Broin, CEO of POET, the nation’s largest corn ethanol producer, expressed concern that the EPA’s model for indirect land use change unfairly penalizes corn ethanol. Broin says the entire concept is flawed.The director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Monte Shaw, also criticized EPA’s methodology for calculating indirect land use change. However, Shaw is pleased that EPA is going to consider improvements to their modeling by having the final model peer reviewed by the scientific community. <more> May 6, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• House Ag Subcommittee Members grill EPA on indirect land use provisions  - - The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research today held a hearing to review the impact of the indirect land use and renewable biomass provisions in the renewable fuel standard. "We are very upset with the path EPA has taken us down and sent that message back loud and clear in today's hearing," said Chairman Tim Holden of Pennsylvania.  "If we continue with these provisions in EISA, we will not only harm the biofuels industry but also shortchange a large part of the country before we even get started. We need to expand the reach of biofuels, not hamper the farmer and forest owner." "The arbitrary restrictions in the renewable fuel standard will limit the potential biomass to meet the renewable fuels mandate. I am in favor of the development of advanced renewable fuels, but more importantly I am in favor of developing a policy that allows the market to develop next generation renewable energy" said Subcommittee Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte of Virginia. <more> May 6, 2009 House Ag Committee Press Release
   

• New standards could cut tax breaks for corn-based ethanol - - The Obama administration on Tuesday proposed renewable-fuel standards that could reduce the $3 billion a year in federal tax breaks given to producers of corn-based ethanol. The move sets the stage for a major battle between Midwest grain producers and environmentalists who say the gasoline additive actually worsens global warming. For much of the last decade, federal officials have touted the potential of corn ethanol as a substitute for gasoline and a tool for reducing global warming and foreign oil dependence. However, environmentalists and others have questioned the wisdom of that support. A recent Congressional Budget Office study found that increased ethanol production was responsible for 10% to 15% of last year's increased U.S. food costs. And the rush to produce more corn for fuel has had a global environmental impact as forests and other vegetation have been cleared to make way for cropland. <more> May 6, 2009 LA Times
   

• Obama policy could help Pacific Ethanol - - Sacramento's struggling Pacific Ethanol Inc. got some hope from the White House Tuesday. The company's stock jumped 17 cents, or 40 percent, to close at 59 cents, after the Obama administration announced a long-term commitment to alternative fuels and detailed new federal support, including possible financing help for struggling ethanol plants. Stocks of other ethanol makers also rose sharply. Low oil prices, excess production capacity and swings in the cost of corn have hammered the ethanol sector. Pacific Ethanol lost $146 million in 2008 and reported in late March that it is in default on $250 million in loans. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said Tuesday his agency will hurry to help refinance existing ethanol operations but didn't detail which companies might qualify. <more> May 6, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Dr. Joy Mench from UC Davis on Animal Welfare, Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

• The Fine Print: What's Really in a Lot of 'Healthy' Foods - - A lot of Americans think they're eating a healthy diet these days. But it's easy to be fooled by our assumptions and the ways that food manufacturers play on them. Take chicken. The average American eats about 90 pounds of it a year, more than twice as much as in the 1970s, part of the switch to lower-fat, lower-cholesterol meat proteins. But roughly one-third of the fresh chicken sold in the U.S. is "plumped" with water, salt and sometimes a seaweed extract called carrageenan that helps it retain the added water. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says chicken processed this way can still be labeled "all natural" or "100% natural" because those are all natural ingredients, even though they aren't naturally found in chicken. Producers must mention the added ingredients on the package -- but the lettering can be small: just one-third the size of the largest letter in the product's name. If you're trying to watch your sodium to cut your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, it pays to check the Nutrition Facts label. <more> May 5, 2009 Wall Street Journal    
   

• Bill to allow Louisiana chicken-plant subsidy moves forward -- A bill that would clear the way for a $50 million government rescue of a North Louisiana chicken plant continued its lightning-quick march through the Legislature today, when a House committee agreed unanimously to send it to the floor for more debate.  Senate Bill 283, which Gov. Bobby Jindal has identified as one of his top priorities for the session, seeks to liberalize the rules governing a $400 million "mega-project" economic development fund that is designed to lure large-scale industrial projects for the state. The bill by Sen. Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe, would change the rules in a way that lets the state use $40 million from the fund to support the purchase of the former Pilgrim's Pride processing plant in Farmerville by a California company, Foster Farms. Another $10 million from the fund would pay for capital improvements to the plant. <more> May 5, 2009 The Times-Picayune   
   

• Opinion: Free-range chickens not living bucolic ideal - - Chickens playing chicken and other destructive games are absolutely undermining the argument favoring free-range birds. Proponents of that argument unwittingly voted to destroy California’s thriving egg-production industry last November. A study recently released by the National Veterinary Institute in Uppsala, Sweden, reveals that a sudden spike among dead laying hens was 10 times greater for those running free than for those that are caged, as most of California’s laying hens have been for years. The Swedish veterinary pathologists analyzed 914 dead hens from 172 flocks. They found that the free-ranging hens had more bacterial infections, which were the most common cause of their deaths. They also had more parasites and viruses and were more likely to become victims of violent pecking and cannibalistic attacks.  Some of the free-range flocks studied by the Swedish pathologists contained as many as 35,000 chickens. Even though they had the freedom to hop around outside and roll in the dirt, they were more likely to bump into each other, fight and share diseases. Veterinarian and poultry pathologist Rob Porter at the University of Minnesota said the findings add to a growing body of evidence that free-range chickens are particularly prone to disease and violent behavior. <more> May 4, 2009 Visalia Times-Delta  
   

• Indirect land use included in EPA's advanced biofuels rule - - After months of speculation, the EPA has confirmed that an indirect land use formula will be used to score ethanol and biodiesel on greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA’s proposed rule for advanced renewable biofuels, required under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, evaluates the carbon footprint of such fuels. EPA administrator Lisa Jackson says the model used to calculate indirect land use change was developed using what she calls “best science” and input from scientists around the world. “The law calls for indirect land use to be part of the analysis, and so certainly the proposed rule includes that,” Jackson says. “EPA is soliciting peer reviews—scientific feedback—to insure that the rule, when it is finalized, includes the best available science.” The rule has a 60-day comment period for the industry to weigh in. Just how much impact it will have on the future of corn ethanol and soy biodiesel is still being analyzed, but Jackson makes it clear that the administration views corn ethanol as a bridge to more advanced biofuels. <more> May 5, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• U.S. Testing for Flu in Pigs Less Stringent Than for Mad Cow, Bird Flu - - While Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says there is "no evidence" of the new swine flu in U.S. pigs, the federal government doesn't aggressively search for it on farms. Mr. Vilsack's statement is designed to bolster the Obama administration's argument that U.S. consumers and trading partners haven't any reason to shy away from eating U.S. pork. But the observation isn't based on any extensive sampling program of the sort that is used by the federal government to alert it to other animal disease, such as mad-cow disease and bird flu. Indeed, only in recent months has the Agriculture Department begun organizing a federal pilot program for screening pigs for flu. And that move came at the prodding of officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC officials have been worried that pigs might serve as a "mixing vessel" for a flu virus capable of sweeping through the human population. The pilot program has yet to begin to collect samples. <more> May 5 2009 Wall Street Journal   
   

• Politicians fail to see farm worker plight - - Meet Marie Gamino. She is the lady in the photo accompanying this commentary. She was raised in Firebaugh. Now lives in Mendota; single mother who raised two daughters, both now grown. One lives in Mendota; the other in Fresno. She is grandmother to six.  We have at least one other thing in common besides being grandparents. We both participated in the final day of the March for Water. She was carrying a sign taller than herself. I was carrying a recorder and my camera. I decided to walk rather than use press credentials to get into the event at San Luis. The four-day walk brought together probably 15,000 farmers and farm workers to protest the shutdown of Delta pumps to protect fish at the expense of people. <more> May 4, 2009 Western Farm Press
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Dr. Joy Mench from UC Davis on Animal Welfare, Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice
   

• State poultry PAC contributions sought - - The California Poultry Federation has launched an intensive effort to build up its state Political Action Committee as the industry grapples with a host of legislative and regulatory issues. To date, $5,800. in donations have been made to the CPF State PAC. “From workers compensation regulations to animal welfare standards, we already have many proposed items that would hurt our industry if they are successful. That is why it is so important that we continue to build a strong State Poultry PAC,” said CPF President Bill Mattos. Both company and personal checks are allowed for the State PAC. For reporting purposes, the ID # for the State Poultry PAC is 911046. Checks should be made out to: State Poultry PAC, and returned to the CPF at 4640 Spyres Way, Suite 4, Modesto, CA 95356. If you have any questions and/or concerns regarding the State Poultry PAC, contact Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. April 20, 2009
   

• President Obama directs USDA to expand access to biofuels - - President Obama issued a presidential directive today to USDA Secretary Vilsack to aggressively accelerate the investment in and production of biofuels. On a conference call with Energy Secretary Stephen Chu and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, Vilsack also announced that he will help lead an unprecedented interagency effort to increase America's energy independence and spur rural economic development. "President Obama's announcement today demonstrates his deep commitment to establishing a permanent biofuels industry in America," said Vilsack. "Expanding our biofuels infrastructure provides a unique opportunity to spur rural economic development while reducing our dependence on foreign oil - one of the great challenges of the 21st century." <more> May 5, 2009 USDA Press Release
   

• White House to Step Up Ethanol Efforts - - The Obama administration on Tuesday will step up efforts to increase the availability of ethanol at filling stations and to speed up subsidies to struggling biofuel producers. But the trade-off is that the administration is also expected to propose a rule that could make certain biofuels look less climate-friendly. At a news conference led by the heads of the Agriculture Department, Energy Department and Environmental Protection Agency, the administration is expected to announce the creation of an interagency group that will be charged with forging a plan to encourage the production of more automobiles that can run on high-level ethanol blends, and increase the availability of high-level ethanol blends at gasoline stations. <more> May 5, 2009 Wall Street Journal  
   

• USDA offers cost-share program for air quality practices - - Farmers and ranchers interested in reducing air quality emissions from off-road mobile or stationary  agricultural sources are invited to apply between for funds made available under a new air quality provision of the 2008 federal Farm Bill. Applications will be taken until June 26 for $10.9 million in funding. "The primary goal of this new portion of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is to help farmers and ranchers attain the standards set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Producers in the 36 California counties that are currently not in compliance with one or more of these standards can apply for this program to improve California's air quality," said Lincoln "Ed" Burton, California State Conservationist for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. Burton added that producers in all California counties will continue to be encouraged to do air quality conservation, working through the Agency's technical assistance and regular EQIP allocation. NRCS and agricultural producers in California have spent over $73 million on air quality projects funded through EQIP since 1998.  <more> May 1, 2009 NRCS Press Release 
   

Monday, May 4, 2009

• Kentucky Woman’s Ground-Chicken Burger with Asian Zing Wins $50,000 in National Chicken Cooking Contest -- A ground-chicken burger with an Asian flavor zing earned Brigitte Nguyen of Lexington, Kentucky, the top prize of $50,000 in the 48th National Chicken Cooking Contest here Saturday.  Ms. Nguyen, 28, a part-time bookkeeper and a baker at a wine shop and deli in Lexington, topped a field of nine finalists from across the country in a competition sponsored by the National Chicken Council, an industry group, with her “Chinese Chicken Burgers with Rainbow Sesame Slaw.”  The event was held at the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America with members of the Texas Poultry Federation serving as local hosts. “The burger had a clear Asian flavor profile with zing, some sweetness, and lime and lemongrass notes; it was just delicious,” said Kathy Martin, food editor of the Miami Herald and chairman of a panel of judges drawn from newspapers and magazines.  The burger recipe is based on ground chicken and includes soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, lemongrass, and scallions.   It is served on a toasted bun and is topped with lime-accented mayonnaise and chile sauce and served with a slaw of julienned peppers, snow peas, and jicama. <more> May 4, 2009 NCC Press Release
   

• CPF Quality Assurance Seminar set for Modesto June 17 - - CPF’s next Quality Assurance Seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 17. This is a mandatory seminar in order to maintain certification under the California Meat Poultry QA Program. The seminar will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center’s Harvest Hall. Registration and the continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 am and the first presentation will start at 9 a.m. Speakers and topics include: Dr. Joy Mench from UC Davis on Animal Welfare, Dr. Robert O’Connor from Foster Farms on Biosecurity and Cleaning & Disinfection, Dr. Mark Bland from Cutler & Associates on Flock Health Management, Christian Bagocius from Motomco on Rodent Control, and a Live Bird Market and Premise ID update from CDFA’s Dr. Sarah Mize and Victor Velez. The seminar will cost $15 which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to download the registration form. Please contact Cody Penfold for any questions at 209-576-6355. May 4, 2009 CPF Notice 
   

• CPF welcomes new Web advertiser: Avicorvi S.A.- - Avicorvi S.A. produces the ultimate Avicorvi Nipple drinker, our key and worldwide patented product, which is designed to supply water with minimal spillage and no leakage, keeping your chicken houses and cage floors dry and clean. Our nipple can be used from the first day of birth through the entire life cycle, keeping your environment clean and healthy. Avicorvi S.A. – formerly known as Fanalbe Ltda – is a family owned and operated company, headquartered in Pereira, Colombia. With over 50 years in the poultry industry and over 30 years producing automatic drinkers and feeders, the mission of Avicorvi is to provide our customers with high quality products. We take this mission very seriously. Avicorvi is an award winning company, having received the “Medal of Industrial Merit” from the Colombian government’s Department of Economic Development, and the “Most Innovative Product” prize from ACOPI, the Colombian Industry Association for Small Industry, late 2008, and other international awards. Avicorvi also received the ISO-9001 Quality Certification. The sales representative for the North America region is Mr. Jaime Orozco, one of the family members currently managing the company. He is located in Folsom, California, and can be contacted at Jaime@avicorvi.com. Visit http://www.avicorvi.com/index_eng.htm  to learn more. May 4, 2009  
   

• New Senate Food and Ag Committee not following the herd - - One of the first things you'll see upon entering the office of Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, is a big stack of books by authors such as Michael Pollan, the Berkeley writer known for his opposition to large-scale agribusiness. Along the far wall is a poster for Proposition 2, the 2008 Farm Animal Protection Act.  "It looks a little different that most Ag committee chair's libraries," Florez said. He chuckled, then added, "I think the Ag industry comes in and looks at this and goes, ‘Oh.'"  They're also saying similar things about the bills coming out of his committee, Florez said. In January, he and Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, held a press conference announcing that Florez was taking over the committee and adding the word "Food" to its name.  This signaled a new direction for a committee that, according to many, has traditionally represented the interests of the agriculture industry. The committee held a hearing last week and passed out three Florez bills opposed by agribusiness groups. His SB 135 would ban the practice of cutting off cow's tails, while his SB 416 would bar antibiotics from meat served in school lunches. SB 173 imposes stricter responsibilities around food-borne pathogens. Florez is also carrying bills that would restrict agricultural crop burning and impose new requirements for food safety.  <more> May 4, 2009 Capitol Weekly   
   

• Parts Is Parts: Dissecting A Chicken For Maximum Profit - - Poultry companies have found a market for everything but the cluck in the low margin, high volume business of chicken processing. The chicken industry averaged a 4-cent per pound operating loss in 2008. Feed costs have subsided since the record highs of last summer, but they are still 40 to 50 percent above historic levels, according to industry trade groups. If profits are to return, analysts say, companies must push products and byproducts into higher margin areas. Chickens or broilers on the whole are worth considerably more when dissected for their parts, said Richard Lobb, a spokesman for the National Chicken Council. Commercial chicken is primarily raised as a lean meat protein for human consumption with the breast comprising about 20 percent of the total live weight, said Paul Aho, poultry economist with Poultry Perspective. But that's only about one-fifth of the total bird, which gives poultry companies plenty of reasons to find other markets for the remaining parts, he said. <more> May 4, 2009 The Morning News
   

• Chickens do good things and today is their day in the political sun - - As everyone knows by now, today is International Respect for Chickens Day. In fact, this entire month is International Respect for Chickens Month, designed to celebrate those feathered fowl and highlight the political import of chickens in our world and also how tasty they are. All right, not that last point. United Poultry Concerns designated this day and month four years ago to call attention to the intellectual bleakness of life for factory farm chickens. <more> May 4, 2009 LA Times    
   

• Bird flu planning pays off for Valley health officials - - The swine-flu threat couldn't come at a worse time for the central San Joaquin Valley, where public-health workers have struggled for resources in the recession. But they have a plan. Spurred by the threat of bird flu four years ago, public-health agencies created pandemic-flu plans that are paying off now. In the past week, Valley counties have opened emergency command centers resembling those set up at forest fires. They have incident commanders, operations officers, logistics chiefs, supply officers.  Plans include guidelines for vaccinating the population, quarantining families, shutting down schools and outlawing public gatherings. Had those plans not been set in motion after the bird-flu scare, "we would still be responding to the swine influenza, but we would not have the benefit of doing it in an organized manner," said Dr. Edward Moreno, director of the Fresno County Department of Public Health. <more> May 3, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• Take a Moment to Appreciate Farmers and Ranchers- - In this video sponsored by the Animal Agriculture Alliance, Brad Johnson—who grew up on a ranch and went on to become an actor with credits including Comanche Moon, Crossfire Trail and Rough Riders, notes that over 90% of Americas farms and ranches are family-owned. He explains that farmers and ranchers care for people, the animals they raise and the land in their care. Johnson also explains that people should take a moment to appreciate America’s farmers and ranchers who dedicate their lives to providing food for everyone else. Click here to view video.  May 4, 2009 Animal Ag Alliance 
   

• USDA announces animal ID listening sessions --Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will hold a series of listening sessions on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The meetings will take place next month in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington state. "USDA needs to hear directly from our stakeholders as we work together to create an animal disease traceability program we can all support," said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. "I encourage individuals and organizations to voice their concerns, ideas and potential solutions about animal identification, by either attending these listening sessions or submitting comments online." <more> May 4, 2009 USDA Press Release
   

• USDA to allow some producers to extend CRP contracts -  - The U.S. Agriculture Department said on Friday it would allow producers to extend or modify contracts on nearly 40 percent of the acres expiring in the Conservation Reserve Program during 2009. USDA said about 1.5 million acres out of a total 3.9 million acres could be extended under contracts scheduled to expire on Sept. 30. The extension is voluntary and farmers can sign-up between May 18 and June 30. The extension was put in place to ensure USDA meets a 32-million-acre ceiling set for the reserve in the 2008 farm law set. The 32-million-acre cap goes through 2012.<more> May 4, 2009 Reuters   

   

Friday, May 1, 2009

• Employers of illegal workers to be targeted by U.S. - - In a major departure from the Bush administration, the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday issued new work site enforcement guidelines that shift the focus to employers rather than illegal workers and could be a harbinger of more immigration reforms. The federal guidelines instruct agents to conduct "carefully planned criminal investigations" of employers and to look for evidence that they may be involved in smuggling or visa fraud. Agents are directed to get indictments or search warrants before arresting employees. Homeland Security officials said the goal was to reduce unfair competition and stem the flow of illegal crossers by targeting the magnet: jobs. "The prospect for employment . . . continues to be one of the leading causes of illegal immigration," spokesman Matt Chandler said. "This is a clear message to the millions of businesses who play by the rules, but find themselves competing against others who enter the illegal labor market, that help is on the way." <more> May 1, 2009 LA Times
   

• Bill aims to keep hormones out of school food - - There is a bill in Sacramento that would prohibit schools from serving any kind of food treated with antibiotics and hormones by 2012. While many parents would be on board with this legislation, it is getting a lot of criticism from most farmers and school districts.  The San Francisco Unified School District claims it serves some of the healthiest meals in the country. State Senator Dean Florez of Bakersfield says the district can do better. If his bill passes, by January 2012 all California schools must serve foods that are not treated with antibiotics, hormones, preservatives, MSG or fillers. "We have eight barns in production out here, all raising organic birds," says Mark McKay of Petaluma Poultry, an organic farm which does not use antibiotics. "Because the birds don't need them."  <more> May 1, 2009 KGO-TV San Francisco  
   

• Food Supplements that Fortify Fowl - - Poultry infected with the parasite Eimeria maxima usually develop avian coccidiosis, a disease estimated to cost producers globally more than $1.2 billion every year. So Agricultural Research Service (ARS) immunologist Hyun Lillehoj has been working with colleagues in ARS and around the world to find dietary supplements that strengthen the poultry immune system. Lillehoj, at the ARS Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory in Beltsville, Md., cooperated on the research with scientists at South Korea's Gyeongsang National University College of Veterinary Medicine. The researchers found that chickens that consumed ground green tea for two weeks prior to parasitic infection produced significantly fewer fecal E. maxima oocysts than the control group. This finding could help reduce the spread of infection in poultry houses. <more> May 1,2009 ARS Press Release 
   

• Birds of a Feather golf tourney June 9 in Petaluma- - The Birds of a Feather golf tournament benefitting the Western Poultry Scholarship and Research Foundation will tee off Tuesday June 9 at the Roster Run Golf Club in Petaluma. Registration deadline is June 2 and the fee is $125. More information is available from Debbie Murdock at (916) 441-0801 or Lensi Hopkins at (916) 956-7410.  May 1, 2009 PEPA Notice
   

• State poultry PAC contributions sought - - The California Poultry Federation has launched an intensive effort to build up its state Political Action Committee as the industry grapples with a host of legislative and regulatory issues. To date, $5,800. in donations have been made to the CPF State PAC. “From workers compensation regulations to animal welfare standards, we already have many proposed items that would hurt our industry if they are successful. That is why it is so important that we continue to build a strong State Poultry PAC,” said CPF President Bill Mattos. Both company and personal checks are allowed for the State PAC. For reporting purposes, the ID # for the State Poultry PAC is 911046. Checks should be made out to: State Poultry PAC, and returned to the CPF at 4640 Spyres Way, Suite 4, Modesto, CA 95356. If you have any questions and/or concerns regarding the State Poultry PAC, contact Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. April 20, 2009
   

• Low snow, reservoir levels force rationing - - April's warm, dry weather melted the Sierra Nevada snowpack to two-thirds of normal, according to the last measure of the season Thursday, as agencies serving cities and farms across California prepare to cut water use this summer. State officials say this is shaping up to be the 10th-driest three-year period on record, based on the amount of meltwater expected to run from the mountains and into streams and reservoirs this spring. A month ago, snowpack was 80 percent of normal. Now it is 66 percent, compared with 72 percent at this time last year."Normally, we would have kept more of (the snowpack), but April was sunny and windy, and so a lot of it melted into the ground," said Elissa Lynn, chief meteorologist with the state Department of Water Resources, which conducts the winter snow surveys. "We have the snowpack we're going to have." <more> May 1, 2009 SF Chronicle
   

• USDA offers cost-share program for air quality practices - - Farmers and ranchers interested in reducing air quality emissions from off-road mobile or stationary  agricultural sources are invited to apply between for funds made available under a new air quality provision of the 2008 federal Farm Bill. Applications will be taken until June 26 for $10.9 million in funding. "The primary goal of this new portion of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is to help farmers and ranchers attain the standards set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Producers in the 36 California counties that are currently not in compliance with one or more of these standards can apply for this program to improve California's air quality," said Lincoln "Ed" Burton, California State Conservationist for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. Burton added that producers in all California counties will continue to be encouraged to do air quality conservation, working through the Agency's technical assistance and regular EQIP allocation. NRCS and agricultural producers in California have spent over $73 million on air quality projects funded through EQIP since 1998.  <more> May 1, 2009 NRCS Press Release 
   

• Dan Walters: What’s Plan B if five ballot measures fail? - - Prospects are rapidly diminishing for the five ballot measures that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders say they need to keep the state budget from drowning in red ink. So, one might ask, what's Plan B? Rejection of three measures (Propositions 1C, 1D and 1E) would have a direct impact totaling nearly $6 billion on the 2009-10 budget, which was supposedly balanced by Schwarzenegger and legislators in February. Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor has already proclaimed that the 2009-10 plan is $8 billion out of whack, so rejection of those three measures would create a $14 billion hole. But wait, there's still more bad news. <more> May 1, 2009 Sacramento Bee     

Thursday, April 30, 2009

• Chicken Cooking Contest May 2 in Texas - - It is chicken cooking time in Texas, as nine contestants representing all regions of the United States gather in San Antonio for the 48th running of the National Chicken Cooking Contest with its grand prize of $50,000 and bragging rights as America’s top chicken cook. “We can’t wait to get started,” said Contest Director Nancy Tringali Piho. “We look forward to a very competitive contest in an excellent location.” Members of the Texas Poultry Federation are serving as local hosts. Lampkin Butts, president and chief operating officer of Sanderson Farms, Laurel, Mississippi, is overall contest chairman. The cookoff will be held Saturday, May 2, at the San Antonio branch of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), located in a renovated brewery. The contestants will use professional ranges and equipment in one of CIA’s instructional spaces. In addition to the $50,000 Grand Prize, the judges will also bestow a $10,000 Judge’s Choice award on a second dish. Each of the contestants will receive $1,000 as a regional winner’s prize. The cookoff will be running at the same time but in a different location from the Food Media Seminar sponsored by the National Chicken Council and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. Writers attending the seminar at the Omni Hotel La Mansion Del Rio will visit the cookoff as a news event and will hear the announcement of the winners at a reception Saturday evening. April 24, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• State poultry PAC contributions sought - - The California Poultry Federation has launched an intensive effort to build up its state Political Action Committee as the industry grapples with a host of legislative and regulatory issues. To date, $5,800. in donations have been made to the CPF State PAC. “From workers compensation regulations to animal welfare standards, we already have many proposed items that would hurt our industry if they are successful. That is why it is so important that we continue to build a strong State Poultry PAC,” said CPF President Bill Mattos. Both company and personal checks are allowed for the State PAC. For reporting purposes, the ID # for the State Poultry PAC is 911046. Checks should be made out to: State Poultry PAC, and returned to the CPF at 4640 Spyres Way, Suite 4, Modesto, CA 95356. If you have any questions and/or concerns regarding the State Poultry PAC, contact Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. April 20, 2009
   

• State Senate Education Committee rejects ban on antibiotic treated meats for school lunches - - Lawmakers Wednesday decided that schools should continue to decide what meat and poultry to serve students, rejecting a proposal to ban products treated routinely with antibiotic drugs. At the urging of the Senate Education Committee, Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shfater, amended his measure, Senate Bill 416, to drop the ban in favor of encouraging schools to buy meat products from animals only treated with drugs when they are ill. But schools have to report their reasons to state education officials when they don't buy the meat and poultry from animals raised to largely without drugs. Florez said that the amendments ``are not the direction I want,'' but he faced questions and criticism about the impact of his proposed ban on the health of animals and the ability of schools to comply with his proposal. <more> April 30, 2009 Gannett Sacramento Bureau
   

• Chick-fil-A tests spicy in Fresno - -There's something different on the Chick-fil-A menu here in Fresno . The chain is testing a new spicy chicken sandwich in all its California restaurants -- including the two in Fresno: As if they need a test to find out if Californians like their food spicy. At any rate, the test is a continuation of the testing in Baltimore, Md., and Jacksonville, Fla. The company says people repeatedly ask for a spicy option on the menu. The sandwich starts at $3.25 and can be part of a combo meal. If it's successful, it will be added to the menu nationally. <more> April 30, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• New employer: Reyes not running for state Senate - - Former Assemblywoman Sarah Reyes, D-Fresno, won't be running for Shafter state Sen. Dean Florez's seat in 2010, according to a spokesman for her new employer. With Reyes’ current boss, Assemblyman Juan Arambula, D-Fresno, saying he won't run either, that seems to leave the Democratic field open for Kern County Supervisor Michael Rubio. No Republican candidate for the 16th Senate District post has officially materialized. Jeff Okey of The California Endowment said Thursday Reyes will lead the group’s efforts to serve the communities of Arvin and Lamont, Merced city and county and Fresno starting May 6. <more> April 30, 2009 Bakersfield Californian
   

• Field Poll: Angry voters are 'tuned out' in run-up to special election - - Judging by the results of this week's Field polls, California voters: (a) Are mad as hell and aren't going to take it anymore. (b) Don't give a rat's patootie about the May 19 special election. (c) Are highly skeptical that the half-dozen propositions on the aforementioned election's ballot are going to do much to buoy the state's sinking finances. The correct answer, based on interviews with veteran observers of the California political scene, as well as voters themselves, is (d) all of the above. "They are extremely leery of budget proposals coming out of Sacramento," said Jack Pitney, a professor of governmental studies at Claremont McKenna College. "I think there is widespread sentiment that the whole (election) package is booby-trapped." The package of which Pitney speaks consists of a half-dozen proposals pieced together by the Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in February, in an effort to close a gaping hole in the state budget. <more> April 30, 2009 Sacramento Bee  
   

• ARB eyes ‘indirect land use’ in low carbon fuel standard - - A critical piece of California’s new law cutting carbon emissions from transportation fuels is getting another look, with state air-quality regulators likely to vote by December on the issue known as “indirect land use.”  The months of new study follows complaints from ethanol producers and others who said the new rule unfairly targeted farmers who grow fuel crops.  “We want to make sure that the numbers we’ve got track with the latest science,” said Stanley Young, a spokesman for the Air Resources Board, “so we will be engaging in a review of the related indirect impacts and submitting them to the board.”  <more> April 30, 2009 Capitol Weekly   
   

• Influencing the Debate on Animal Welfare topic of May 12-13 conference -- The Animal Agriculture Alliance (Alliance) announced plans to host its eighth industry-wide Stakeholders Summit. This day and a half conference focusing on animal welfare, "Politics, Activism and Religion: Influencing the Debate on Animal Welfare in America," is scheduled for May 12-13, 2009 at the Hotel Monaco in Alexandria, Virginia.. The Summit's goal is to build bridges across the food chain to develop solutions that can be implemented to address the challenging issues of animal welfare, the prudent use of antibiotics, environmental concerns and public health. Program and registration details are available at www.animalagalliance.org. To view the agenda, please click here April 27, 2009 Alliance Press Release  
   

• Workers’ comp claims management workshop May 14 in Sacramento - - A workshop directed at employers on workers’ compensation claims management will be held Thursday, May 14 in Sacramento. The session is sponsored by InterWest Insurance Services, a member of the California Poultry Federation. The morning session will include discussion of workplace drug testing policies and insight into recent workers’ comp judicial decisions. Registration deadline is May 8. Information is available from Shannon Pringle at (916) 609-8349 or springle@iwins.com.  April 27, 2009 Interwest Insurance Services

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

• HSUS official says public concerns drive initiatives - - The CEO of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) says his group is being unfairly portrayed by agricultural groups and the ag media. And Wayne Pacelle of HSUS says recent ballot initiative victories in California, Arizona and other states prove that the general public also wants better treatment of farm animals. "And does agriculture want to continue to defend activities which regular Americans think are out of bounds and unacceptable," Pacelle says. Pacelle also confirmed that Ohio is next on their list. <more> April 28, 2009 Brownfield Ag News   
   

• Two sides of the animal welfare debate - - There are definitely two sides to the animal welfare discussion. This week we hear from Bernard Rollin, a distinguished professor at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, and Steve Kopperud, executive vice president at Policy Directions Inc. Rollins brokered the agreement between Colorado agriculture and the Humane Society of the United States that prevented a Proposition 2-type referendum in Colorado. He has also served on the Pew Commission and convinced Smithfield to eliminate sow stalls. Kopperud also serves as coordinator of the Farm Animal Welfare Coalition and is founder and past president of the Animal Agriculture Alliance. <more> April 28, 2009 FeedStuffs.com  
   

• Schwarzenegger declares emergency over swine flu -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency that will help California agencies coordinate efforts in response to the outbreak of swine flu. Schwarzenegger's proclamation today sets in motion a series of administrative actions, including ordering all agencies to coordinate with public health officials as needed. The Stanislaus County Department of Health reported this morning that there have been no cases in the county. The action also suspends noncompetitive bidding for contracts needed to respond to the outbreak and waives certification requirements for laboratories involved in the testing. <more> April 28, 2009 Modesto Bee   
   

• Swine flu's ground zero? Residents say nearby farm - - Residents in the town of La Gloria, Mexico (population 3,000) believe their town is ground zero for the swine flu epidemic, even if health officials aren't saying so. More than 450 residents say they're suffering from respiratory problems from contamination spread by pig waste at nearby breeding farms co-owned by a U.S. company. Officials with the company say they've found no sign of swine flu on its farms, and Mexican authorities haven't determined the outbreak's origin. The swine flu strain is suspected in more than 150 deaths in Mexico, and cases have been confirmed in at least four other countries. As far back as late March, roughly one-sixth of the residents here in the Gulf Coast state of Veracruz began complaining of respiratory infections that they say can be traced to a farm that lies upwind five miles (8.5 kilometers) to the north, in the town of Xaltepec. <more> April 28, 2009 AP  
   

• CDFA working with state and federal agencies on swine flu - - The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is monitoring and responding to the current swine flu outbreak in conjunction with federal and state agencies.  "It is important to understand that there are no reports of swine flu in pigs in California, or the United States, at this time," said California State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Breitmeyer. "Our monitoring program is aimed at detecting the illness early in pigs. It also is important to recognize that swine flu is not a threat to the food supply. According to the Center for Disease Control, you cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe." CDFA’s top priority is to test any pigs that are linked to a human swine flu case or are showing signs of a respiratory disease. CDFA veterinarians are working closely with public health officials and to date no such human links have been established. Similarly, there have been no swine samples submitted for testing due to respiratory disease. In comparison to many states, California is a relatively small pork producer with fewer than 100,000 animals, ranking 28th in the country. <more> April 28, 2009 CDFA Pres Release  

Monday, April 27, 2009

• Update on Current Poultry Bans Due to Swine Flu Outbreak - - Due to the recent swine flu outbreaks, Russia has banned all heat treated and non-heat treated poultry on shipments sailing after April 21 from New York, Kansas California, Texas and Ohio. Russia is the only country so far to take any action against poultry from the U.S. The following is an update on U.S. pork bans:* Russia has banned all non-heat treated pork meat on shipments sailing after April 21 from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Florida. * Beginning April 26, Russia has also banned passenger baggage and catering materials from all livestock species, including heat treated products from Texas , California , Ohio , New York and Kansas . The ban is for luggage and in-flight catering of aerial vehicles and sea vessels arriving from the previous mentioned states. * Ukraine has placed a ban on live pigs and pork meat from the U.S. , effective April 21. * South Korea is increasing testing of imports, but has not banned any product at this time * Indonesia has banned all pork from every country in the world. * Guatemala has banned all live pigs and pork meat from the U.S. * China has banned imports of live pigs and pork products from Texas , California , and Kansas , effective April 26. Shipments that left port before April 26 will be subject to virus checks before arrival. * The Philippines has banned pork from the U.S. * Thailand has banned pork from the U.S. April 27, 2009 USA Poultry& Egg Export Council
   

• Pilgrim's Pride chicken plant to be idled as Foster Farms continues to negotiate purchase - - California-based poultry company Foster Farms said the chicken plant it hopes to buy in north Louisiana will be idled by the current owner May 8 as negotiations for the purchase continue. A spokesman for Pilgrim's Pride, which last month said it had agreed to sell the facility to Foster Farms, could not immediately comment. In December, Pilgrim's Pride filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and later announced plans to idle three plants, including in Farmerville. <more> April 27, 2009 AP  
   

• Workers’ comp claims management workshop May 14 in Sacramento - - A workshop directed at employers on workers’ compensation claims management will be held Thursday, May 14 in Sacramento. The session is sponsored by InterWest Insurance Services, a member of the California Poultry Federation. The morning session will include discussion of workplace drug testing policies and insight into recent workers’ comp judicial decisions. Registration deadline is May 8. Information is available from Shannon Pringle at (916) 609-8349 or springle@iwins.com.  April 27, 2009 Interwest Insurance Services
   

• US declares public health emergency for swine flu -- The U.S. declared a public health emergency Sunday to deal with the emerging new swine flu, much like the government does to prepare for approaching hurricanes. Officials reported 20 U.S. cases of swine flu in five states so far, with the latest in Ohio and New York. Unlike in Mexico where the same strain appears to be killing dozens of people, cases in the United State have been mild - and U.S. health authorities can't yet explain why. "As we continue to look for cases, we are going to see a broader spectrum of disease," predicted Dr. Richard Besser, acting chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We're going to see more severe disease in this country." At a White House news conference, Besser and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano sought to assure Americans that health officials are taking all appropriate steps to minimize the impact of the outbreak. <more> April 26, 2009 AP
   

• Statement By Secretary Of Agriculture Vilsack Regarding Human Cases of Swine Influenza A (H1n1) - - "I would like to express my deepest sympathies for those who have lost loved ones to the flu as well as those who have been sickened. I also wanted to reassure the public that there is no evidence at this time showing that swine have been infected with this virus. According to scientists at USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food so you cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products is safe.  Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills all viruses and other foodborne pathogens. USDA has in place, and did so before the last week's events, a surveillance system to monitor animal health.  As an additional precautionary measure, I have asked USDA to reach out to agriculture officials in every state to affirm that they have no signs of this virus type in their state. USDA will continue to work with other government agencies to monitor the situation and keep the public informed." April 26, 2009 USDA Press Release
   

• Frequently asked questions about swine and human cases of Swine Flu Influenza - - Do any swine have the virus that has infected humans? * There is no evidence at this time that swine in the United States are infected with this virus strain. Can I get this new strain of virus from eating pork or pork products? * According to USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food so you cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills all viruses. * The USDA suggests, as it has in the past, cooking pork and pork products to the proper internal temperature and preventing cross-contamination between raw and cooked food is the key to safety. You should: <more> April 27, 2009 USDA Press Release   
   

• March poultry production down slightly on the year - - Poultry production during March 2009 was down modestly from March 2008. According to the USDA, the amount of poultry certified wholesome was 3.519 billion pounds, compared to 3.254 billion a year ago. The year to year decline is on the relatively high cost of feed and general global economic uncertainties. For the year to date, poultry production totals 10.101 billion pounds, compared to 10.847 billion for the first quarter of 2008. Most of the total was chicken at 3.038 billion pounds, up 11 million pounds from March 2008. Turkeys made up 471.431 million pounds, compared to 486.994 million a year ago. Duck production during March was 9.518 million pounds, 4% less than last year. <more> April 27, 2009 Brownfield Ag News  
   

• Schwarzenegger says Calif. prepared for swine flu - - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says California authorities are close to confirming an eighth case of swine flu in the state and are looking into another dozen possible cases. The governor told a Beverly Hills press conference Monday that the number of confirmed cases in the state stands at seven - four in San Diego County and three in Imperial County. He did not say where the other possible cases were located. Schwarzenegger says all of the confirmed cases have recovered. The governor says California has activated its joint emergency operations system - a combination of the public health department and the state emergency management agency. <more> April 27, 2009 AP   
     

• Influencing the Debate on Animal Welfare topic of May 12-13 conference -- The Animal Agriculture Alliance (Alliance) announced plans to host its eighth industry-wide Stakeholders Summit. This day and a half conference focusing on animal welfare, "Politics, Activism and Religion: Influencing the Debate on Animal Welfare in America," is scheduled for May 12-13, 2009 at the Hotel Monaco in Alexandria, Virginia.. The Summit's goal is to build bridges across the food chain to develop solutions that can be implemented to address the challenging issues of animal welfare, the prudent use of antibiotics, environmental concerns and public health. Program and registration details are available at www.animalagalliance.org. To view the agenda, please click here April 27, 2009 Alliance Press Release  
   

• Abel Maldonado for lieutenant governor? - - Now that John Garamendi had decided he really wasn't serious about that gubernatorial run and that he'd really rather be on Capitol Hill, oddsmakers are already buzzing about who might be named California's new lieutenant governor if Garamendi wins Ellen Tauscher's soon-to-be-vacant congressional seat. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger couldn't appoint just anybody to replace Garamendi; it would have to be someone Democrats would confirm. And that someone just might be state Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-San Luis Obispo, who gained big chits with Arnold for being one of three Senate Republicans to vote for the budget — and for new taxes — earlier this year. The gum-chomping Maldonado has had designs on statewide office since 2006, when he ran for controller but couldn't get through the conservative Republican primary. He's looking at another statewide run in 2010 but has little chance after committing his apostasy on taxes. <more> April 26, 2009 San Jose Mercury News

Friday, April 24, 2009

• Union card check bill passes state Senate - - The state Senate Thursday passed legislation that would allow farmworkers to form a union by submitting a petition to the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board. SB 789 by Sen. Darrel Steinberg (D-Sacramento) would give farmworkers an alternative way to form a union: Instead of holding an election with secret ballots, workers could submit cards, signed by a majority of the workers asking for representation, to state labor authorities. The cards could be filled in at workers' homes with a union organizer present and helping, and could be collected by the organizers. This method would make it easier for the workers to obtain representation, said the legislation's author, Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento). "This bill is designed so they can fairly choose whether they want union organization or not," Steinberg said. Opponents cited some of the same concerns that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger stated when he vetoed a similar proposal in 2007. "It creates a card-check system ripe with opportunities for union organizers to coerce, intimidate and threaten workers to join a union," said Senate minority leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta). <more> April 24, 2009 LA Times
   

• Deadly new flu breaks out in Mexico, U.S. - – A deadly strain of flu never seen before has killed as many as 61 people in Mexico and has spread into the United States, where several people were reported ill. Mexico's government said on Friday that at least 16 people have died of the disease in central Mexico and that it may also have been responsible for 45 other deaths. The World Health Organization said genetic tests of the virus in 12 of the Mexican victims had the same genetic structure as a new strain of swine flu, designated H1N1, seen in seven people in California and Texas. Because there is clearly human-to-human spread of the new virus, raising fears of a major outbreak, Mexico's government canceled classes for millions of children in its sprawling capital city and surrounding areas. "It is a virus that mutated from pigs and then at some point was transmitted to humans," Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said. <more> April 24, 2009 Reuters   
   

• Chicken Cooking Contest May 2 in Texas - - It is chicken cooking time in Texas, as nine contestants representing all regions of the United States gather in San Antonio for the 48th running of the National Chicken Cooking Contest with its grand prize of $50,000 and bragging rights as America’s top chicken cook. “We can’t wait to get started,” said Contest Director Nancy Tringali Piho. “We look forward to a very competitive contest in an excellent location.” Members of the Texas Poultry Federation are serving as local hosts. Lampkin Butts, president and chief operating officer of Sanderson Farms, Laurel, Mississippi, is overall contest chairman. The cookoff will be held Saturday, May 2, at the San Antonio branch of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), located in a renovated brewery. The contestants will use professional ranges and equipment in one of CIA’s instructional spaces. In addition to the $50,000 Grand Prize, the judges will also bestow a $10,000 Judge’s Choice award on a second dish. Each of the contestants will receive $1,000 as a regional winner’s prize. The cookoff will be running at the same time but in a different location from the Food Media Seminar sponsored by the National Chicken Council and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. Writers attending the seminar at the Omni Hotel La Mansion Del Rio will visit the cookoff as a news event and will hear the announcement of the winners at a reception Saturday evening. April 24, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• Air Resources Board moves to cut carbon use - - California's Air Resources Board on Thursday approved a first-in-the-world regulation to minimize the amount of carbon in fuel, putting California on the cutting edge of promoting alternative fuels in a bid to combat global warming. The regulation will require fuel manufacturers to cut the so-called carbon intensity of fuels sold in the state 10 percent by 2020 - lowering the amount of greenhouse gases released for every unit of energy produced. If the regulation's goal is reached, it will account for 10 percent of the state's overall goal for reducing greenhouse gases by 2020. Air board Chairwoman Mary Nichols said the rule, called the low carbon fuel standard, will create a global framework for automotive fuels. The board approved the proposal, 9-1. "Now, finally, we are creating the opportunity for other types of transportation fuels to compete on a level playing field," Nichols said. <more> April 24, 2009 SF Chronicle  
   

• Group seeks to protect rare chicken breeds - - At about the time Foghorn Leghorn appeared on the Looney Toons drawing board in 1946, he began disappearing from America's dinner tables. Now the bird on which the rooster cartoon character was modeled is among 66 types of old-fashioned chickens the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is trying to save from extinction as factory-raised cross varieties command 90 percent of the market. "When we can identify something in danger, we need to protect it," says Barbara Bowman of Sonoma County, an original board member of Slow Food USA who has a dozen of the last 510 Delaware breeding stock chickens in existence. "The old breeds provide really sturdy genetics that we have to guard." Since the arrival of industrialized agriculture, more than 95 percent of vegetables that had been grown in the world have disappeared, according to the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture. <more> April 24, 2009 AP  
   

• As California water wars heat up, GOP congressmen say there's no real shortage - - As the politics of water grow more intense on Capitol Hill, Republican Rep. Tom McClintock is skeptical that there's really a shortage in California, even though the governor has declared a drought emergency. "Don't forget we have the most water-rich region in the state," said McClintock, a newcomer on the House Natural Resources Committee, who represents California's 4th Congressional District. "And yet our communities are in … drought alerts, not because of a shortage of water, but because of water that the environmental regulations allow us to use." It is becoming a common refrain for some Republicans in Washington: California's drought is human-made and could be resolved easily if government focused more on people, less on smelt. <more> April 24, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• Animal Rights Extremist Makes FBI’s Most Wanted - - For the first time, an accused domestic terrorist has made the FBI’s "Most Wanted List" – the list that includes such notables as Usama bin Laden and Ayman Al-Zawahiri. Daniel Andreas San Diego, a 31-year-old computer specialist from Berkeley, CA, became No. 24 on the list this week. San Diego has been on the run since 2003 and is wanted in two bombings that year of corporate offices in California, says Michael J. Heimbach, an assistant director of the FBI's counterterrorism division. There’s a reward of $250,000 for info leading to his capture. San Diego is wanted for the bombings in northern California of the corporate offices of Chiron Corp., a biotechnology firm, and Shaklee Corp., a nutrition and cosmetics company. Law enforcement officials describe San Diego as a strict vegan who possesses a 9mm handgun. On his abdomen, he has images of burning and collapsing buildings. April 24, 2009 AP  

Thursday, April 23, 2009

• Livestock antibiotics on chopping block - - A bill to restrict routine usage of antibiotics in livestock was approved by the Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture, over objections from veterinarians and industry representatives. Starting in 2012, the bill - SB416, by Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter - would bar public schools from serving students meat that was treated with antibiotics in a non-therapeutic way - that is, administered routinely, not in response to a particular medical condition. By 2015, the bill would outlaw the use of antibiotics "for nontherapeutic and prophylactic use" in any animal from which food products are derived. Supporters cite concerns that routine exposure to antibiotic residue in meat could create health problems. Some argue that a "superbug" - a disease highly resistant to current treatments - could emerge from routine antibiotic usage. The bill passed the agriculture committee on a 3-1 vote. The measure now passes to the Senate Education Committee. <more> April 23, 2009 Capital Press
   

• Chicken Industry Committed to Food Safety, Industry Expert Tells Congress -- The chicken industry is strongly committed to food safety and has continued to improve its performance, especially in reducing the presence of potentially harmful microorganisms on raw product, an industry expert told Congress Thursday. The number of processing plants in the very best category of performance continues to increase, Dr. Elizabeth Krushinskie, speaking for the National Chicken Council, told a subcommittee of the House Committee on Agriculture.  She said the steady improvement is demonstrated by data published by the Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture under its food safety program known as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). The key to success, she said, has been the industry’s commitment to food safety. <more> April 23, 2009 NCC Press Release

   

• FSIS issues directive on humane slaughter inspections - - The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) this week issued a new directive (6910.1) that provides guidance to its district veterinary medical specialists (DVMS) regarding the procedures they are to use when conducting humane handling verification visits at livestock establishments and when conducting a visit at a poultry establishment to determine whether live poultry are being handled in a manner consistent with poultry good commercial practice. DVMS are required to conduct a routine correlation visit at each poultry slaughter establishment every 12 to 18 months, according to the directive. The DVMS may, however, conduct visits more frequently at the direction of the district office, when repetitive non-compliance pertaining to good commercial practice exists; when multiple memorandums of interview on good commercial practice issues have been written by inspection program personnel; for suspicion of violations pertaining to good commercial practice; for special correlations; and as a follow-up good commercial practice correlation visit pertaining to a suspension being held in abeyance or other enforcement action. A copy of the directive “District Veterinary Medical Specialist (DVMS)-Work Methods,” number 6910.1, is available on the FSIS Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISdirectives/6910-1.pdf.   April 19, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• NCC presents animal ID statement to Vilsack  - - Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack heard from stakeholders Wednesday representing the full spectrum of views on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). National Chicken Council President George Watts presented a statement on behalf of NCC at the Washington meeting, which kicks off a listening tour to gather input to assist the Secretary in making decisions about the future direction of animal identification and traceability in the United States. Watts told the Secretary that the commercial broiler chicken industry already had a flock identification and tracking system in place prior to efforts to implement NAIS. “We are especially pleased that USDA has not seen fit to implement a one-size-fits-all approach, but instead has recognized that differences exist between species and the various industry models,” Watts added. Secretary Vilsack noted that much work has been done over the past five years to engage producers in developing an animal identification system. “However, many of the issues and concerns that were initially raised by producers…continue to cause debate,” he added. April 19, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• NTF testifies before House panel on USDA’s food safety system - - A National Turkey Federation (NTF) official told a congressional subcommittee today that USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has made significant strides since the implementation of the Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation in 1997. “HACCP is arguably one of the most advanced, science-based food inspection programs in the world and has supported the improved safety of the meat and poultry products produced in the United States,” Dr. Michael Rybolt, NTF director of scientific and regulatory affairs, said in testimony before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry.  “Any changes to the existing statute should be done with a scalpel, not an axe, to ensure that the current level of inspection is not compromised.” Rybolt explained to subcommittee members that as part of HACCP, FSIS mandates pathogen performance standards for each product class and conducts product sampling and microbiological testing to ensure that establishments are meeting these standards.  Since 1998, the incidence of Salmonella on meat and poultry products has dropped significantly.  Virtually all product classes subjected to FSIS’ Salmonella verification testing are at or below half of their respective performance standards. While Congress may have a role to play in further modernizing and enhancing the inspection system, Rybolt cautioned that any legislative changes to the meat and poultry inspection laws should take into consideration that food safety processes and technologies will continue to advance in the future.  For example, some have called for changing the inspection laws so that plants are required by statute, rather than regulation, to have a HACCP plan.  Rybolt said such a statutory change could cause long-term problems.  “Changes (to statute) should not be so prescriptive that they stifle innovation and prevent the Secretary of Agriculture from making modifications to the inspection process,” Rybolt said.  “If 15 years from now a food safety program more advanced than HACCP emerges, the secretary would be limited to either ignoring the advance or requiring the new program to be used in addition to HACCP.” Though the U.S. poultry and meat supply is the safest in the world, Rybolt said the turkey industry recognizes changes could be made to further enhance consumer protection.  Rybolt concluded, “As the food safety reform debate moves to the forefront of the congressional agenda, any changes that are enacted should ensure improvements will be garnered and a measurable public health outcome is achieved.” April 23, 2009 NTF Press Release
   

• Scientists, supporters rally at UCLA for animal research - - Led by a professor whose car was set on fire last month in an anonymous attack, more than 400 UCLA scientists and their supporters rallied on campus Wednesday to defend research using animals and to protest the violent tactics of some opponents. At almost the same time, about 40 critics of animal research demonstrated just across Westwood Boulevard from the pro-research gathering, and the two groups briefly traded slogans before marching to different UCLA plazas. Police reported no violence and no arrests. With signs proclaiming, "Research Yes, Terror No," the larger rally was organized by UCLA neuroscientist J. David Jentsch. Police say Jentsch's car was destroyed by animal rights extremists near his home March 7 because he uses and sometimes kills vervet monkeys in research on schizophrenia and drug addiction. That incident, in which no one was injured, was the latest in a string of arson attacks and threats against UCLA scientists since 2006. <more> April 23, 2009 LA Times  
   

• Sen. Florez explains his food safety legislation - - By Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) - - In the spring of 2004, five years before pistachios grown in the San Joaquin Valley became tainted with salmonella, health investigators were hunting for the same deadly bacteria in the same stretch of our state -- this time in the almond orchards. The microbe hadn't struck just any almond grower: The outbreak took place at Paramount Farms, the biggest grower of nuts and citrus in the nation, a behemoth operation unmatched in the precision and cleanliness of its fields and processing plants. As dozens of consumers fell ill nationwide, Paramount recalled 13 million pounds of raw almonds that had gone to chains such as Costco and Trader Joe's.  Much of the almond industry, even before the 2004 outbreak, understood the challenge posed by the miscreants of the microbe world. The co-op Blue Diamond was already heating its almonds at high enough temperatures to kill a wide range of pathogens. In the wake of the outbreak, Paramount Farms decided to follow suit, so that today the bulk of California's 1-billion-pound-plus almond crop, like milk, is pasteurized. <more> April 21, 2009 LA Times
   

• Berryhill, Gilmore buck party, back Prop. 1a - - Two more Valley Republicans are bucking party leaders and supporting Proposition 1A, the May 19 ballot measure that restricts state spending but also extends temporary tax hikes. Assembly members Danny Gilmore, R-Hanford, and Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto, both told the Bee that they are voting for the measure, despite opposition from the state GOP. Gilmore voted against the new taxes on the Assembly floor, but said he's willing to extend them in return for sending more money into the state's rainy-day fund. "I'm just so torn on the taxes." he said. "There are no really good choices in this thing. It's a horrible dilemma." <more> April 23, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• Garamendi's move complicates Denham, Florez Lieutenant Gov.  run -- When Valley state Sens. Dean Florez and Jeff Denham jumped into the 2010 race for lieutenant governor, they expected to run for an open seat. That might no longer be the case, and it could complicate both of their campaigns. First-term Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, who was considering running for governor in 2010, is expected today to announce a run for Congress for the soon-to-be vacant seat of Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Walnut Creek, who is moving into the Obama Administration. If Garamendi wins, Gov. Schwarzenegger would have to appoint a new lieutenant governor, who would have the advantage of running as an incumbent in 2010. <more> April 23, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• Garamendi changes course for Congressional seat- - California Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, who had declared himself a Democratic candidate for governor, said Wednesday that he wants to "get to work" immediately to tackle the state's water, health care and education problems and has decided to run instead for the East Bay 10th District congressional seat now held by Rep. Ellen Tauscher. Garamendi, accompanied by his wife, Patti, made the announcement via Twitter following a tour of East Bay Works, a Concord employment center, where he met with professionals and workers who are seeking to upgrade their skills and find new employment. Afterward, he met with reporters to confirm that he will seek the congressional seat, which represents a district that stretches from Lafayette to near Sacramento, as soon as it is vacated. Democrat Tauscher of Walnut Creek has been tapped for a job in the State Department as undersecretary for arms security and is expected to receive congressional approval as early as May. <more> April 23, 2009 SF Chronicle

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

• Russia May Cut 2010 Poultry Import Quota, Group Says -- Russia, the largest importer of U.S. chicken, may cut its poultry import quota by 200,000 metric tons in 2010 as domestic output grows, an industry group said. Discussions on cuts will start in June, Vladimir Fisinin, president of Russia’s poultry breeders’ union, told reporters in Moscow today. Local output will increase to 2.7 million tons in 2010, from the 2.5 million tons projected this year, he said. Russia cut import quotas by 300,000 tons to 952,000 tons in 2009. The country will be self-sufficient in poultry and pork by 2011, First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov said April 3. <more> April 22, 2009 Bloomberg
   

• Two charged in threats against UCLA research scientists - - Two animal rights activists have been charged with threatening and harassing UCLA scientists who use animals in their research, according to a Los Angeles County grand jury indictment unsealed Monday. Linda Faith Greene, 61, and Kevin Richard Olliff, 22, were charged March 27 with 10 felonies, including stalking and conspiracy to threaten a school employee. Along with targeting UCLA faculty members, they were accused of holding threatening protests against research near the homes of executives of the POM Wonderful Juice company. <more> April 22, 2009 LA Times
   

• Federal water deliveries may reach 15 percent - - For the first time this year, farmers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta are being promised some federal water. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's updated forecast on Tuesday, April 21, foresees between 10 percent and 15 percent of normal deliveries of agricultural water to Central Valley Project contractors south of the Delta. Growers north of the delta will get 15 percent of its normal allotments. Wildlife reserves and water rights holders will get their full allocations throughout the state, while cities will get 65 percent in most scenarios. <more> April 22, 2009 Capital Press
   

• California plans to cut fuels' carbon footprint - - If a tree falls in the Amazon, does it have anything to do with California's alternative-fuels policy? This week, the California Air Resources Board is set to adopt a plan that says it does. The low-carbon fuel standard aims to cut the carbon footprint of the state's motor fuels 10 percent by 2020. It will influence what powers your car – from hydrogen to electricity to biofuels – for decades to come. It's likely to drive federal policies. And it will guide billions of dollars of investment in alternatives to petroleum. But the plan doesn't encourage much of a long-term role for corn-based ethanol, currently the most widely used alternative fuel. A key provision makes ethanol accountable for a ripple of potential impacts around the world, such as deforestation in the Amazon. That makes ethanol's carbon footprint larger, and its attractiveness to investors lower. <more> April 22, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• Vilsack sees agriculture as benefactor in GHG debate - - When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) ruled last Friday, April 17 that greenhouse gas emissions were harmful, agricultural groups voiced immediate concern over what additional regulations would mean. On Tuesday, April 21, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack was asked if the EPA ruling was indeed the “slippery slope” for agriculture as some have suggested. “I’m convinced ag can be a great benefactor,” said Vilsack. “I think the capacity to use our land and our forests in particular create tremendous opportunities for us to offset greenhouse gas emissions in other sectors of the economy. <more> April 22, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• Grassley says cap and trade “tax” would be very expensive for ag - - With last week’s EPA ruling on global warming, Senate Ag Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley says there could be more pressure on Congress to pass a cap & trade bill on carbon emissions. The Iowa Republican says with the move toward minimum tillage, however, agriculture has already taken action and is emitting less CO-2 into the air. He says Congress needs to make sure that ag and other industries are given credit for that, “I know people in agriculture are thinking in terms of that but I don’t know whether (Senator) Barbara Boxer is or not.” <more> April 22, 2009 Brownfield Ag News

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

• Judge rules for chicken-plant workers in donning and doffing case - - A poultry plant operator must pay its employees for the time spent putting on and taking off protective gear, a federal judge has ruled. Judge Andre M. Davis, of the U.S. District Court in Baltimore, declined to find that Mountaire Farms Inc. had willfully violated federal labor laws or acted in bad faith; however, he rejected the Arkansas-based company’s claim that donning and doffing equipment is done on the workers’ time, not its dime. Davis said the company’s position is contradicted by government regulations and its own policy, which require poultry plant workers to wear personal protective equipment such as smocks, hairnets and steel-toed rubber boots. <more> April 21, 2009 Daily Record
   

• Corn growers submit comments to state air board - - The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has submitted formal comments to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), pointing out flaws in the group’s proposed low carbon fuel standard. NCGA president Bob Dickey says the proposal ignores the great growth in corn production expected to take place in the coming decade. That growth can happen, Dickey says, without converting more non-crop acres to corn production. He points out that field corn acres are projected to decrease for the second year in a row. <more> April 21, 2009 Brownfield Ag News  
   

• State poultry PAC contributions sought - - The California Poultry Federation has launched an intensive effort to build up its state Political Action Committee as the industry grapples with a host of legislative and regulatory issues. “From workers compensation regulations to animal welfare standards, we already have many proposed items that would hurt our industry if they are successful. That is why it is so important that we continue to build a strong State Poultry PAC,” said CPF President Bill Mattos. Both company and personal checks are allowed for the State PAC. For reporting purposes, the ID # for the State Poultry PAC is 911046. Checks should be made out to: State Poultry PAC, and returned to the CPF at 4640 Spyres Way, Suite 4, Modesto, CA 95356. If you have any questions and/or concerns regarding the State Poultry PAC, contact Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. April 20, 2009
   

• Zinpro welcomed as newest CPF member - -  Zinpro Corporation, a global leader in manufacturing organic trace minerals, is the newest member of the California Poultry Federation. Zinpro’s history dates back to 1971, when the late Dean Anderson discovered how to biochemically bind zinc to methionine in a form that proved to have the highest bioavailability. This discovery was significant in that this simple and highly-stable molecule was easily absorbed and utilized by animals. Dr. Luis Rodriguez, California manager, can be reached at (916) 833-1280 or lrodriguez@zinpro.com More information is available at the Zinpro website www.zinpro.com April 20, 2009
   

• Feinstein: Action needed now on water crisis- - Saying much of the Central Valley is teetering on the brink of economic disaster because of a lack of normal water flows for farm and ranch irrigation, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is calling for a “targeted” strategy to address the problem. “The lack of water threatens to decimate the Valley economy, and some cities are already struggling with unemployment rates between 25 and 45 percent. We must reverse this trend,” says Ms. Feinstein in a letter to Lester Snow, director of the California Department of Water Resources. The letter was released Thursday afternoon by the senator’s office. Ms. Feinstein says a targeted strategy must be developed to address the severe water crisis for farms in California’s Central Valley. <more> April 21, 2009 Central Valley Business Times
   

• Demo leaders in Legislature promise a water deal this year - -Let's hold Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg to their pledge of fixing the state's water problems once and for all. They said a deal will be struck this year. Can we trust them to do it? These are the same people who promised an on-time and balanced budget. They gave Californians neither. Here's their statement on getting a comprehensive water deal approved this year: Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) and Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) made the following joint statement (Friday) regarding legislative progress on legislation to aid California's water infrastructure:  <more> April 21, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• Nunes stands alone, no regrets -- Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of Visalia and his constituents will learn the price of challenging Gov. Schwarzenegger. By demanding Schwarzenegger's resignation Friday, Nunes secured his reputation as a vehement lawmaker willing to confront his fellow Republicans. He reopened the question of the political costs and benefits of insistently going one's own way. "It's definitely going to cause some exciting times for his office," Manuel Cunha, president of the Fresno-based Nisei Farmers League, predicted Monday, adding that he was "disappointed" in the congressman's resignation demand. Nunes attributed the resignation demand to Schwarzenegger's ostensible unwillingness to send more irrigation water to San Joaquin Valley farms. <more> April 21, 2009 Modesto Bee

Monday, April 20, 2009

• An animal activist named Fearing has her foes worried - — Her inner alarm chimes before dawn, long before her dog Yoda emerges from his nightly nest amid the bed covers, before the proverbial rooster crows and the day begins for 19 million or so egg-laying chickens whose lives she worked to change. It's 5 a.m., and Jennifer Fearing is beginning another day as the rising star of California's animal protection movement. The statehouse point person for the Humane Society of the United States plucks her iPhone from a bedside table and launches the first of hundreds of e-mails she'll send today. Fearing, raised an Air Force brat, calls her schedule "a wartime blessing and a peacetime curse." But it is routine for the 37-year-old, whose career took off with the landmark ballot measure California voters passed last fall easing the confinement of hens and other factory farm animals. Fresh from her victory as manager of that campaign, with its 19-hour days, she set up shop as the Humane Society's lobbyist in the Golden State. <more> April 20, 2009 LA Times  
   

• Zinpro welcomed as newest CPF member - -  Zinpro Corporation, a global leader in manufacturing organic trace minerals, is the newest member of the California Poultry Federation. Zinpro’s history dates back to 1971, when the late Dean Anderson discovered how to biochemically bind zinc to methionine in a form that proved to have the highest bioavailability. This discovery was significant in that this simple and highly-stable molecule was easily absorbed and utilized by animals. Dr. Luis Rodriguez, California manager, can be reached at (916) 833-1280 or lrodriguez@zinpro.com More information is available at the Zinpro website www.zinpro.com April 20, 2009
   

• State poultry PAC contributions sought - - The California Poultry Federation has launched an intensive effort to build up its state Political Action Committee as the industry grapples with a host of legislative and regulatory issues. “From workers compensation regulations to animal welfare standards, we already have many proposed items that would hurt our industry if they are successful. That is why it is so important that we continue to build a strong State Poultry PAC,” said CPF President Bill Mattos. Both company and personal checks are allowed for the State PAC. For reporting purposes, the ID # for the State Poultry PAC is 911046. Checks should be made out to: State Poultry PAC, and returned to the CPF at 4640 Spyres Way, Suite 4, Modesto, CA 95356. If you have any questions and/or concerns regarding the State Poultry PAC, contact Bill Mattos at (209) 576-6355. April 20, 2009
   

• Dr. Francine Bradley Receives Common Threads Award - - Dr. Francine Bradley was one of eleven women from Northern California and the San Joaquin Valley who were honored with the 2009 Common Threads Award. The award recognizes women for their agricultural roots, philanthropic efforts and community service. For many years, Bradley has served the state’s poultry industry as an avian science educator at the University of California, Davis. During her tenure at UC Davis, she has dedicated her time, energy, expertise and leadership skills to countless groups including 4-H clubs and exhibition fowl enthusiasts. Bradley received the northern region award along with five other women. The northern award is co-sponsored by the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation and the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.   
   

• Foster Farms considers turkey hatchery expansion - - Come next year, there might be more production from Foster Farms, as the company is considering an expansion and renovation of its hatchery located at 1506 S. Walnut Rd. Foster Farms declined an interview with the Journal, but answered the Journal's e-mailed questions through Fineman PR, a public relations firm based in San Francisco. Journal: Why expand this site? Foster Farms: This site is currently a Foster Farms chicken hatchery. The chicken division of the company will consolidate their hatcheries from four hatcheries into two. The turkeys will take over one of the two that they are eliminating. The turkey division will be consolidating from two older hatcheries into one. By doing this it will allow both divisions to upgrade the facilities and streamline production into facilities with state of the art equipment. <more> April 20, 2009 Turlock Journal   
   

• US to fight chlorinated chicken import ban - - The credit crunch and the decline in global trade have given fresh impetus to US president Barak Obama's administration to get US chicken into the EU market.  The new man in charge, US trade Ambassador Ron Kirk, made his intentions clear in his recent taking-office address. "With global trade flows declining for the first time since 2001, endangering US and European jobs, we should redouble our efforts to solve bilateral problems that impede trade between us.,” said Kirk. <more> April 17, 2009 Farmers Weekly Interactive
   

• More suburbanites, hobbyists raise chickens - - A sport utility vehicle loaded with 1,200 baby chicks in cardboard boxes pulls up to the Clearview Feed and Seed store, where customers come to pick up their peeping, cheeping poultry orders on a recent spring day. Poultry dealers, chicken feed businesses and self-proclaimed "chicken enthusiasts" nationwide report city slickers and suburbanites are showing greater interest in raising small flocks of chickens far from the farm. Store workers whisk boxes from the vehicle — where the heat is cranked up to keep the chicks warm — and gently sort the downy birds born at a hatchery into smaller containers. Temporary color-coded dots on the chicks' heads help employees divvy up individual orders. Mostly farm families wait to pick up the chicks, but mixed in with the veterans are first-timers like Justin and Stacey DeWeese, both 25. They collect a box of 30 chicks they plan to raise in suburban St. Louis. <more> April 17, 2009 AP   
   

• Rally whets Valley water fight - - The massive four-day March for Water ended Friday as thousands converged near the San Luis Reservoir. When it was done, most agreed the fight -- and the fighting -- had just begun. The idea was to rally the nation behind saving the Valley's water-starved farming industry. Whether that happened remains to be seen, but one thing was clear: Lots of folks paid attention. Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia, took advantage of the spotlight to call on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to resign, faulting him for not doing enough to end the Valley's water woes.  But the rally Friday was intended for a much broader audience, and it caught the attention of major media outlets. <more> April 17, 2009 Fresno Bee
   

• Rep. Devin Nunes to Schwarzenegger: Resign - -Rep. Devin Nunes, a Tulare Republican, called on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to resign Friday - not over taxes, but water. Nunes said he was none too thrilled by Schwarzenegger's speech Friday at the San Luis Reservoir outside Los Banos at a California March for Water rally. The governor spoke about his efforts to seek permanent solutions to the state's water problems, including new dams and a conveyance that can transfer water around the Delta without harming endangered species. Schwarzenegger led chants of "We need water! We need water!" He told the crowd he has been working on the problems for the last five years to "create a water infrastructure that is for 38 million people rather than 18 million people." But Nunes said he wanted to hear the governor promise to seek a federal waiver of the Endangered Species Act so Delta water pumps can transfer their full capacity of water to the San Joaquin Valley now. Environmental restrictions and drought conditions have curtailed water deliveries this year, and unemployment has approached 40 percent in some farming towns like Mendota. <more> April 17, 2009 Sacramento Bee  
   

• Environmental advocate named USDA adviser on environment and climate - - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of Robert Bonnie as Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Environment and Climate. In this position, Bonnie will help guide broad policy and program decisions with an emphasis on those concerning the nation's natural resources and climate issues. Bonnie is Vice-President for Land Conservation and Wildlife at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a non-profit organization that tackles the nation's most serious environmental problems. Bonnie's focus at EDF is on the development and expansion of conservation incentives and markets that reward farmers, ranchers and forest owners for land stewardship. <more> April 16, 2009 USDA Pres Release     

   

Friday, April 10, 2009

• Report: Ethanol raises cost of nutrition programs - - The increased use of ethanol could cost the government up to $900 million for food stamps and child nutrition programs, a congressional report says. Higher use of the corn-based fuel additive accounted for about 10 percent to 15 percent of the rise in food prices between April 2007 and April 2008, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. That translates into higher costs for food programs for the needy. The CBO said other factors, such as skyrocketing energy costs, had an even greater impact than ethanol on food prices during that period. Economists there estimate that increased costs for food programs overall due to higher food prices will be about $5.3 billion in the current budget year. Ethanol's impact on future food prices is uncertain, the report says, because an increased supply of corn has the potential to eventually lower food prices. <more> April 10, 2009 AP 
   

• FSIS seeking additional comments regarding ‘natural’ claims - - The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) had submitted an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding natural claims on meat and poultry products to the Office of Management and Budget. FSIS indicated that after reviewing the comments it received in response to its December 2006 Federal Register request and public meeting, the agency has decided to solicit additional public input. This time it will be soliciting more focused comments on this issue. April 10, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• Often Asian delicacies, chicken feet may offer insight to animal health - - "Phoenix claws" are not something most University students see on their plates at mealtimes. However, phoenix claws - the common restaurant name for chicken feet - are one of the poultry industry's leading exports. "In the past, chicken feet were considered a waste product; companies had to pay to get rid of it," said Brian Fairchild, associate professor of poultry science, in a phone interview Tuesday. Nowadays, chicken feet, or paws, are a "major food item for Asian markets," Fairchild said, when before they were used in animal feed. Eric Shepherd, a master's student from Griffin, is researching with Fairchild to determine factors that affect foot pad dermatitis, a condition in which "lesions develop [on the foot pad] due to interaction with a variety of environmental factors" in poultry. He wanted to work on his thesis "in live products," and after discussing his options with Fairchild, the "hot issue" of downgrades from the dermatitis became his focus. <more> April 10, 2009 University of Georgia newspaper   
   

• EPA proposes greenhouse gas emissions reporting rule - - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today published its expected proposed rule that would require the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the economy. The requirement would apply to fossil fuel suppliers, as well as direct greenhouse gas emitters. Food processing facilities, including meat and poultry processing facilities; waste water treatment facilities, including meat and poultry processing facilities; and manure management as it relates to general stationary fuel combustion are specifically affected by the proposed rule. The rule addresses specific greenhouse gas emissions and would require testing and reporting of emissions exceeding certain threshold levels. The proposed rule would not, however, impose any control measures.  Comments on the proposed reporting requirements are due by June 9. A copy of the 283-page proposed rule is available by clicking here.  April 10, 2009 EPA Notice

   

Thursday, April 9, 2009

• Veterinarian bill moves to Assembly floor - - A bill to streamline licensure requirements for veterinarians is expected to soon pass the state Assembly after unanimous committee approvals. AB107, authored by Assemblywomen Cathleen Galgiani, D-Livingston, and Connie Conway, R-Tulare, would streamline the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act. Its intention, the authors say, is to help alleviate the impacts to the state of a chronic nationwide shortage of farm-animal veterinarians. It would require the California Veterinary Medical Board to offer the state's licensing exam twice yearly instead of only once, and would loosen rules for transferring a veterinarian's license from out of state. For a vet moving into California, it would waive the requirement for passing the state's license exam, provided the exam taken by the vet in another state was similar. <more> April 9, 2009 Capital Press
   

• Kentucky Backyard Flocks Test Negative For Bird Flu  - - State Veterinarian Robert Stout said an outbreak of bird flu on a western Kentucky chicken farm did not spread to nearby backyard poultry flocks. Stout said animal health workers tested flocks within a 2-mile radius of the Brownsville chicken farm for signs of the “non-pathogenic or low-pathogenic” strain of avian influenza. He said Thursday no additional cases were found in initial tests, and additional tests are pending. The state is developing plans to expand the testing radius for backyard flocks to more than 6 miles. The Kentucky Department for Public Health said there is no evidence the disease has been transmitted from birds to humans. The disease was detected after testing by Perdue Farms Inc. and state and national laboratories when a minor drop in egg production was noticed last month. April 9, 2009 AP
   

• FDA approves rapid test for bird flu -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday it had approved a fast test for H5N1 bird flu that can show in less than an hour if people are infected. The test, made by Sunnyvale, California-based Arbor Vita Corporation, should greatly speed up diagnosis and treatment of people infected with avian influenza, the FDA said. Most current tests take hours. "This test is an important tool to help quickly identify emerging influenza A/H5N1 infections and reduce exposure to large populations," said Dr. Daniel Schultz, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "The clearance of this test represents a major step toward protecting the public from the threat of pandemic flu." <more> April 9, 12009 Reuters
   

• Concerns arise over symptomless Egypt bird flu cases -- The World Health Organization is concerned some Egyptians may carry the highly pathogenic bird flu virus without showing symptoms, which could give it more of a chance to mutate to a strain that spreads easily among humans. Whether such cases exist still has to be put to the test and will be the focus of a planned Egyptian government study backed by the global health body, said John Jabbour, a Cairo-based emerging diseases specialist at WHO. "This is a concern only, now. It is a question to be asked," Jabbour told Reuters. He said a change in the pattern of human bird flu infections this year in Egypt had raised concerns about the existence of so-called sub clinical cases. <more> April 9, 2009 Reuters 
   

• March for Water will highlight state's water disaster - - By Henry T. Perea and Mario Santoyo. Henry T. Perea is a Fresno City Council member and board member of the California Latino Water Coalition. Mario Santoyo is technical adviser to the California Latino Water Coalition - - Early morning gatherings of farm workers, farmers and others involved in irrigated agriculture may not be unusual in Mendota, but the assemblage that will take place Tuesday promises to be extraordinarily unique and exceptionally urgent. At 8 a.m. Tuesday in Rojas Pierce Park, a rally will signal the start of the four-day California March for Water. This is to be no ordinary demonstration. Although sponsored by the California Latino Water Coalition, rally and march participants will be from many ethnic groups and all walks of life. Many will march because what has happened has dried up their jobs and turned their personal expectations to dust.  They are joining in a common cause motivated by a combination of natural drought and severe environmental-protection mandates. The March for Water seeks to call the nation's attention to California's rapidly worsening and expanding drought-caused suffering while seeking support for restoring lost supplies of water. <more> April 9, 2009 Fresno Bee  
   

• Obama to Push Immigration Reform Bill Despite Risks  - - While acknowledging that the recession makes the political battle more difficult, President Obama plans to begin addressing the country’s immigration system this year, including looking for a path for illegal immigrants to become legal, a senior administration official said on Wednesday.  Mr. Obama will frame the new effort — likely to rouse passions on all sides of the highly divisive issue — as “policy reform that controls immigration and makes it an orderly system,” said the official, Cecilia Muñoz, deputy assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs in the White House. Mr. Obama plans to speak publicly about the issue in May, administration officials said, and over the summer he will convene working groups, including lawmakers from both parties and a range of immigration groups, to begin discussing possible legislation for as early as this fall. <more> April 9, 2009 NY Times     

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

• Soaps and detergents 'could help tackle bird flu' - - Commercially available soaps and detergents could kill the bird flu virus that causes extensive damage to poultry and can infect humans, scientists in Pakistan report. Their findings — published in the 28 March issue of Virology Journal — reveal that simply washing poultry shed floors and equipment, transport vehicles and workers' clothing can go a long way in containing the virus. The scientists — at the Poultry Research Institute, Rawalpindi, and the National Veterinary Laboratory, Islamabad — claim theirs is the first published peer-reviewed study on the use of commercially available soaps and detergents to kill the bird flu-causing H5N1 virus, although the practice was previously recommended as early as 2005. They tested the effect of common soap brands such as Lifebuoy and detergents such as Surf Excel, as well as heat, ultraviolet light and pH (the degree of acidity of the sample) on the virus obtained from infected poultry samples during an outbreak in Pakistan in 2006. <more> April 8, 2009 Environmental News Network  
   

• Antibiotics pose concern for ethanol producers -- Ethanol's main by-product, which is sold as livestock feed, has raised potential food safety concerns. Several studies have linked the byproduct, known as distillers grain, to elevated rates of E. coli in cattle. And now, distillers grain is facing further scrutiny because the Food and Drug Administration has found that it often contains antibiotics left over from making ethanol. Ethanol production relies on enzymes, yeast and sugar to convert corn into fuel. And just as the wrong bacteria in the body can sicken people, it can also cause a variety of ailments in a batch of ethanol. Mark von Keitz with the University of Minnesota's Biotechnology Institute said in ethanol production, the main enemy is a bacterial bug that makes lactic acid. "What these organisms do is they also compete with the yeast for the sugar," said von Keitz. "But instead of making alcohol, they make primarily lactic acid." <more> April 8, 2009 AP  
    

• Lose our water, lose our food - - Valley farmers continue to be urged to cough up more money to lobby for what some call their contractual "LEGAL" rights. West Side water-users have regularly been promised water under contract with the federal government, only to be cut short year after year. I once heard someone compare it to a civil matter in which the party that broke the contract was sued for large sums of money. How is it the federal government can continually break a contract and not be held legally liable? Now with California facing a very real drought, farmers will idle land because the water is simply not there for them to use for irrigation. <more> April 8, 2009 Visalia Times Delta  
   

• Judge denies request for animal ID records - - An activist's demand to access National Animal Identification System livestock data has been shot down by a federal court. Attorney and freelance writer Mary-Louise Zanoni of Russell, N.Y., initially filed suit against the USDA in June 2008, demanding that the agency comply with her Freedom of Information Act request to view livestock and premises records collected as part of NAIS. The lawsuit also asked a federal judge to prevent the USDA from using federal privacy law to shield those records from disclosure. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan rejected the complaint Tuesday, March 31, ruling that the NAIS records in question were exempt from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Sullivan also ruled that Zanoni lacked legal standing to challenge federal privacy law.  <more> April 8, 2009 Capital Press  
   

• Leader-author calls for 'major' animal rights counter-movement - - You could say Patti Strand of Portland, Oregon wrote the book on the animal rights movement. Strand, who is the founder and chairperson of the National Animal Interest Alliance, authored a book 17 years ago entitled “The Hijacking of the Humane Movement: Animal Extremism”. Strand has been battling the animal rights movement ever since and she says it’s not going away. “So I would say that the people who imagine that they can just keep doing their own thing and the bad guys will disappear are living in a bit of a fantasy land at this point,” says Strand. “They’re not going to go away. This is how these groups earn their living. They’re conflict fund-raising groups. They need conflict in order to make money.” <more> April 8, 2009 Brownfield Ag News   
   

• Feds: Bay-delta longfin doesn't warrant protection - - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday, April 8, that longfin smelt in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay cannot be protected as a subpopulation under the federal Endangered Species Act. Because some longfin travel out the bay and up the coast, they can breed with other populations and therefore cannot be genetically different, FWS said. The decision, resulting from a 12-month study, answers a 2007 petition that requested the designation. Researchers have measured longfin populations in the delta since 2000. <more> April 87, 2009 Capital Press 
   

• Feds vote to halt Calif. chinook salmon fishing -- Federal fisheries managers have voted to call off California's commercial fishing season for chinook salmon after record low returns were recorded in the Central Valley last year. The decision Wednesday marks the second year in a row that the Pacific Fishery Management Council has voted to shut down commercial and limit recreational fishing for natural and hatchery chinook, or "king" salmon, in California. The managers also voted to greatly limit Oregon's commercial fishing season.  The council estimated that 66,264 salmon adults returned to the Sacramento River basin in 2008 to spawn. The estimate was down from 90,000 in 2007. The decision will be forwarded to the National Marine Fisheries Service for approval. April 8 2009 AP

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

• Avian Flu Found in Kentucky Chicken Farm - - State and federal authorities are investigating an outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm in western Kentucky. State Veterinarian Robert C. Stout said the strain discovered is "nonpathogenic or low-pathogenic" and poses a minimal risk to human health. Stout said it is not the "high pathogenic strain" associated with human and poultry deaths in other countries. Stout quarantined the farm, which produces hatching eggs for Perdue Farms Inc. He said some 20,000 chickens have been euthanized. "It does occur naturally in wild birds and it can spread to domestic birds, which is why we have the occurrence in Kentucky," said Cindy Ragin, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "This is something that is not uncommon." <more> April 7, 2009 AP
   

• Maine egg producer pledges to be cage-free - - Animal cruelty charges at a Turner-based egg farm prompted national egg seller Egg-land's Best to break its contract with East Coast egg producer Radlo Brothers early Monday. Hours later, Massachusetts-based Radlo Brothers pledged to stop distributing eggs from chickens kept in cages. According to a statement issued by Egg-land's Best, after "a thorough investigation, we have discovered that Radlo Foods violated the terms of our agreement by working with a farm that is not in compliance with our strict animal welfare standards." It continues: "As a result, we have also sent Radlo Foods a letter of termination that will affect the production and processing of our classic brown eggs." Egg-land's decision led Radlo to change its company practices, Chief Executive Officer David Radlo said. <more> April 7, 2009 SunJournal.com
   

• FDA announces delay of BSE final rule implementation - - The Food and Drug Administration today announced a delay in the implementation of the final rule entitled, "Substances Prohibited from Use in Animal Food or Feed" or more commonly referred to as the 2008 BSE final rule. The final rule, which would have gone into effect on April 27, 2009, is now delayed 60 days to June 26, 2009. The agency is taking this action in response to comments from affected parties expressing concerns about their ability to fully comply with the rule by the April 27, 2009 effective date. In addition, some affected parties are finding it difficult to identify appropriate alternate ways of disposing of material that may no longer be rendered for animal feed use once the rule takes effect. The FDA is also providing 7 days for public comment solely on the question of whether to delay the effective date. Comments must be submitted within 7 days of publication in the Federal Register of the notice of proposed delay of effective date. <more> April 7, 2009 FDA Press Release
   

• Agriculture 3, environmental antagonists 0 in air quality rulings - - It has been nine years since the 30-member Agribusiness Presidents Council achieved one of the biggest political victories ever for California agriculture — repeal of agricultural tractor and diesel fuel taxes by the California Legislature. There have been three similar victories of late that have not drawn the attention of the tax repeat, yet rank with it. They were achieved by many of the same leaders who played key roles in the tax triumph. The three triumphs came in an even more hostile arena than the state Legislature, the Ninth Court of Appeals in San Francisco. This court has been anything but sympathetic to agriculture over the years. Money provided from the Air Coalition Team (ACT), a group of commodity organizations, agricultural associations and seven San Joaquin Valley county farm bureaus earned the three legal successes. <more> April 7, 2009 Western Farm Press   
   

• San Joaquin, Sacramento rivers top endangered list-- The Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers together are the most endangered rivers in the nation, an environmental group claims in a new report. Pressed by population growth and irrigation demands, and imperfectly restrained by outdated levees, the two Central Valley rivers are said to be "on the verge of collapse" in the latest assessment by American Rivers. This marks the first time either river has topped the subjective most-endangered rankings. "We really have to overhaul how we manage this river system," Amy Kober, communications director for American Rivers, said Monday. Based in Washington, D.C., American Rivers has been producing the "America's Most Endangered Rivers" report since 1986. Like similar assessments produced by groups such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation -- which publishes an annual "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places" -- the river rankings have neither regulatory nor legislative significance. <more> April 7, 2009 Fresno Bee  

Monday, April 6, 2009

• Poultry groups join forces on safety, health - - The following three poultry industry organizations have partnered to form the Joint Poultry Industry Safety and Health Council in order to streamline efforts in the area of worker safety and health: * National Chicken Council * National Turkey Federation * U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. This council will essentially replace the existing NTF/NCC Safety and Health Committee by combining with the respective committee at USPOULTRY. The JPISHC will represent the entire poultry industry on issues relating to worker safety and health. <more> April 6, 2009 WattPoultry.com
   

• Oklahoma bill looks at preemptive responses to caged legislation  - - House Bill 2151, introduced into the Oklahoma legislature by Rep. Don Armes, was designed to simplify the regulation of livestock producers by making the state the single-source regulator in Oklahoma. The bill states, "The Legislature occupies and preempts the entire fields of legislation in this State but concerns in any way the regulation and enforcement of the care and handling of livestock to the complete exclusion of any order, ordinance, or regulation by any municipality or other political subdivision of this State." A similar motion was introduced into the Georgia House of Representatives reading "no county, municipal cooperation, consolidated government, or other political subdivision of this State shall adapt any ordinance, rule, regulation or resolution regulating crop management or animal husbandry practices." <more> April 6, 2009 WattPoultry.com
   

• Avian influenza found on Kentucky poultry farm - - Kentucky State Veterinarian Robert Stout has quarantined a western Kentucky poultry farm that produces hatching eggs for Perdue Farms Inc. following the detection of a non-pathogenic or low-pathogenic form of avian influenza was discovered in the birds. “The state and federal government and Perdue are acting aggressively to contain and eliminate the disease,” Dr. Stout said. “There is no evidence that any infected poultry are in the human food supply as a result of this infection. We will do what is necessary to minimize the disruption to overseas trade.” Perdue plans to depopulate the 20,000 chickens in two houses on the farm, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture is also conducting surveillance of backyard flocks within a 2-mile radius of the farm. <more> April 6, 2009 Brownfield Ag News 
   

• Producers look to next generation of biofuels - - For America's biofuel industry, these are times of incredible promise - and serious pain. The Bay Area teems with entrepreneurs trying to replace oil with new, renewable fuels. Their experiments are attracting investment despite the global recession, with venture capitalists pouring $96 million into the industry in this year's first quarter. The federal government wants to expand biofuel production by nearly two-thirds in the next five years, with specific quotas for advanced biofuels made from such ingredients as grass, algae, enzymes or yeast. But older biofuel companies are facing financial ruin, hammered by low fuel prices. California's largest ethanol producer, Pacific Ethanol of Sacramento, closed its plants in Madera and Stockton earlier this year, laying off nearly 80 people in the process. The Stockton plant had been open less than five months.  The firm warned investors last week that it could run out of cash by the end of April. The nation's second-largest ethanol producer, VeraSun Energy Corp. of South Dakota, went bankrupt last fall.<more> April 5, 2009 SF Chronicle
   

• Florez uses Web to announce lieutenant governor bid- - It was hardly new news -- but was delivered in a pretty new way -- when state Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez announced his bid for lieutenant governor Friday. Florez, D-Shafter, did it via a live Web cast during which he also answered questions submitted from people throughout the state. In his introduction and in answering queries, Florez highlighted his work on issues including farmworker safety, air quality, food protections and keeping government accountable and efficient. <more> April 5, 2009 Bakersfield Californian
   

• Agriculture needs a bright new image - - What if California agriculture can come up with a symbol of itself that appeals to the non-farm population? People seem to connect easier with a symbol than a gigantic industry.  Maybe agriculture needs its own Marlboro Man. Many California farmers fit that square-jawed, rugged-framed, hardy image of one ready to take on all challenges. It makes me wonder where they find those models, since the ads in the consumer magazines for everything from deodorant to cell phones feature slack-jawed, tousle-haired, young men with sulky expressions and phenomenal abs. They probably wouldn't last half a day picking grapes. But some in agriculture favor a more business-like image, especially since so many young farmers have completed leadership programs that have lent culture and perhaps a bit of savoir faire to their personalities. Should they sport crew cuts, even skin heads, glasses and a Rolex? <more> April 6, 2009 Visalia Times Delta

   

Friday, April 3, 2009

• NCC and USPOULTRY challenge EPA’s CAFO regulations and guidance - - The National Chicken Council and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) filed suit this week in the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to challenge certain aspects of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new regulation on water pollution discharges from so-called confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The new regulation was issued in response to the industry’s victory in the Second U.S. Circuit in 2005, in which the court said EPA could not require growers to apply for permits merely because they have a “potential to discharge” pollutants to the waters of the United States. EPA has replaced that portion of the rule with a new provision that would require permits where there is a “proposal to discharge.” The lawsuit will challenge the new requirement as not conforming to the Second Circuit’s ruling. In addition, the lawsuit challenges recent guidance documents, issued by EPA in the form of letters, that interpret the CAFO regulation. The letters essentially say a grower has a “proposal to discharge,” and therefore must apply for a permit, if poultry housing has a ventilation fan that may potentially exhaust dust or other substances on the ground where rain water might wash them into a ditch leading to surface waters. NCC and USPOULTRY will argue that Congress did not intend to regulate these normal agricultural practices when it enacted the Clean Water Act. April 3, 2009 NCC Newsletter
   

• The other recycling business- - Cars fueled with dead cow? That's what Jim Andreoli of Baker Commodities has in mind, and he's building a huge biodiesel plant near downtown Los Angeles to prove it. Baker Commodities, which he runs with his father and two brothers, is the oldest rendering business in L.A. and the largest on the West Coast. The nation’s largest rendering company, Darling International, announced plans last fall to erect a biodiesel facility in San Francisco, and Baker is building a 10-million-gallon biodiesel plant in Vernon. Andreoli hopes biodiesel will re-label the most repellent form of recycling with a term anybody would love: “green.” <more> April 3, 2009 Los Angles Magazine   
   

• Tyson Said To Be Looking For Global Acquisitions - - Tyson Foods could acquire pork and red-meat companies in China, India, Brazil and Argentina, according to mergermarket.com. Declining U.S. demand, a growing and relatively fragmented international market, and the ability to save on production costs are likely to drive more acquisitions in those regions, the report says. A spokesperson for the Springdale, AR-based Tyson confirmed it is focused on building its international markets. When asked further, the spokesperson identified India, China and South America as targets for desired expansion. April 3, 2009 BeefMagazine.com  
   

• APHIS amends National Poultry Improvement Plan -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending the sampling and testing procedures in the voluntary National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). The changes will keep the provisions of the plan current with advancements in the poultry industry. Specifically, APHIS is increasing the number of approved tests for avian influenza (AI) used in breeding and commercial poultry from two to four. The two additional tests can provide highly specific results quickly, making them extremely useful as screening tests for AI and as part of an initial state response and containment plan in the event of an outbreak. Any positive test results would continue to be confirmed by federal reference laboratories and an official determination of a flock as positive for the H5 or H7 subtypes of AI would be made only by APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories. <more> April 3, 2009 APHIS Press Release 
   

• Country singer at center of animal rights debate - - Country singer Carrie Underwood is at the center of an intensifying online debate between animal rights supporters and backers of hunting and animal agriculture. Underwood is a vegetarian and a supporter of the Humane Society of the United States. In fact, she is donating proceeds from one of her new songs to HSUS. And HSUS is reportedly trying to return the favor by encouraging its supporters to vote online for Underwood for the Academy of Country Music’s (ACM) Entertainer of the Year award.  Meanwhile, hunting and animal ag supporters are fighting back. On one web site, a blogger is urging readers to go to the ACM web site and vote for a country artist other than Underwood. <more> April 1, 2009 Brownfield Ag News
   

• CDFA accepting applications for specialty crop grants - - The CDFA is seeking proposals for a grant program designed to enhance the competitiveness of the Golden State’s specialty crops. Up to $15 million will be made available to award grant amounts ranging from $75,000 to $500,000 per project.  CDFA receives funding for this grant program from the USDA through its Agricultural Marketing Service.  The competitive solicitation process begins with submission of concept proposals by eligible non-profit organizations; local, state and federal government entities; for-profit organizations; and universities.  Applicants with the most competitive proposals will be invited to participate in the second phase of the solicitation process by submitting a more formal application. <more> April 3, 2009 CDFA Press Release
   

• New leadership at State Water Resources Control Board - - Gov. Schwarzenegger has designated Charlie Hoppin as Chair of the State Water Resources Control He was first appointed to the Board in May, 2006. He replaces Tam Doduc who served since 2005. Frances Spivy-Weber was chosen as Vice-Chair. April 3, 2009 Water Board Notice

   

Thursday, April 2, 2009

• TLC addresses Institute of Medicine on enhanced chicken  - - The Truthful Labeling Coalition (TLC) , which counts Foster Farms Inc., Sanderson Farms Inc. and Perdue Farms Inc. among its members, addressed the Institute of Medicine Committee on Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake on Monday, March 30, 2009 regarding the increased sodium content of “enhanced” or “injected” fresh chicken. TLC has led an effort to have the USDA change its labeling rules so that “enhanced” chicken which is injected with a brine solution in an effort to improve eating qualities of the meat cannot be labeled as “100% Natural” or “All Natural.”  The TLC campaign urges the USDA to allow only 100 percent natural chicken, with no additives such as saltwater or seaweed extract, to be labeled as "100% All Natural," and it has asked for a requirement that all added ingredients be prominently displayed on the label. <more> April 2, 2009 WattPoultry.com
   

• Poultry Safety Issues Kit available - - U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s Poultry & Egg Institute has released a Poultry Industry Workplace Safety Issues Kit highlighting the progress achieved by the industry in workplace safety. The poultry industry’s injury and illness incident rate has declined by 73% since 1994. The kit may be accessed on-line at www.poultryegginstitute.org. The Issues Kit outlines the safety challenges the industry has faced over the years and the interventions employed to meet them. It also describes educational efforts and collaborations pursued with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), not just to comply with safety regulations, but to address industry safety concerns directly in a proactive and progressive approach. <more> April 2, 2009 WattPoultry.com
   

• GOP's soft-spoken, hard-line state Senate leader - - Up close, the state Senate's new minority leader is soft-spoken and seems perhaps shy. But he definitely is not shy. And through his soft voice, he is an outspoken advocate for a conservative ideology. Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, 42, of Murrieta is a hard-right Republican who gives every indication of being a legislative leader who won't budge on taxes. Not now, not ever. He could be Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's worst nightmare, not to mention the Democrats'. Hollingsworth says he and the governor have only chatted briefly, not substantively, since the senator landed his job in a February coup that toppled the then-minority leader, Dave Cogdill of Modesto. Cogdill had become a Schwarzenegger ally on budgeting and taxes. "It was one of those unfortunate, ugly situations where the [GOP] caucus decided to go in a different direction because of our opposition to the [tax increase] deal that had been negotiated" by Cogdill, other legislative leaders and the governor, Hollingsworth says. <more> April 2, 2009 LA Times   
   

• Sharon Runner pulled from Agriculture Board - - Former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner has been appointed to the Unemployment Insurance Board, a job that pays more than $128,000 per year. Runner's appointment means she will not serve on the Agriculture Labor Relations Board, which she was originally appointed to last month. "Sharon is a great public servant with experience in addressing the critical needs of Californians," said Schwarzenegger spokeswoman. "We feel she is better utilized in this position at this time." As a member of the UI Appeals Board, Runner will replace Fred Aguiar, who was named State and Consumer Services Agency after Rosario Marin was forced to resign earlier this month. <more> April 2, 2009 Capitol Weekly 
   

• Bell named to ag seat on Central Valley Water Board - - Nicole Bell, 40, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, filling the vacant agricultural seat on the board.  She has served as the alumni and industry relations manager for the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation since 2008 and has owned and served as a consultant for Valley Agricultural Consulting Service since 2005. Additionally, Bell has served as a realtor for Lyon Real Estate and secretary for Lower Cosumnes Resource Conservation District since 2005. From 2006 to 2008, she was the manager for the Sacramento-Amador Water Quality Alliance and, from 1994 to 2005, Bell was the executive director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Sacramento/Amador County Farm Service Agency and the Imperial County Farm Service Agency from 1993 to 1994. She is the vice president of the Sacramento Farm Bureau Agriculture Education Foundation and serves on the Sacramento County Farm Bureau. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Bell is a Republican. April 2, 2009 
   

• Report outlines possible effects of warming on California - - As California warms in coming decades, farmers will have less water, the state could lose more than a million acres of cropland and forest fire rates will soar, according to a broad-ranging state report released Wednesday. The document, which officials called the "the ultimate picture to date" of global warming's likely effect on California, consists of 37 research papers that examine an array of issues including water supply, air pollution and property losses. Without actions to limit greenhouse gas emissions, "severe and costly climate impacts are possible and likely across California," warned state environmental protection secretary Linda Adams. The draft Climate Action Team Report, an update of a 2006 assessment, concludes that some climate change effects could be more serious than previously thought. By the final decades of the century, acreage burned across much of the state's northern forests could easily double and under some scenarios quadruple, said Anthony Westerling, an assistant professor of geography and environmental engineering at UC Merced. <more> April 2, 2009 LA Times
   

• Farmworkers and farmers to 'walk for water'. Event aims to bring awareness to the hardships caused by water loss - - Farmworker groups and farmers hope a high-profile march to the San Luis Reservoir and a number of rallies will kick start some state and federal action to alleviate their water woes. Organized by the California Latino Water Coalition, the April 14-17 marches and rallies are the first big push to raise awareness of job losses and economic hardships caused by the lack of water flowing from the Central Valley Project to westside farms. The events are expected to draw thousands of marchers, as well as tractors, produce trucks and semi trucks. The coalition wants the Endangered Species Act standards that prevent pumping from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta suspended.<more> April 2, 2009 Capital Press
   

• Sierra snowpack about 80 percent of normal -- There's appears to be plenty of snow in the Sierra Nevada, but California water officials said Thursday it falls short of the amount needed to replenish the state's reservoirs. Across the 400-mile-long mountain range, the snowpack is holding about 81 percent of its usual water content, according to the fourth Sierra snow survey conducted by the Department of Water Resources. The department's snow chief, Frank Gehrke, says the snowpack needed to be between 120 percent and 130 percent of average by the beginning of April to replenish the state's key reservoirs. The smaller snowpack follows two previously dry winters and is one reason farmers and cities throughout California have been told they will get less water this year. <more> April 2, 2009 AP   
   

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

• Salt takes center stage in Foster Farms’ new consumer campaign - - As leaders from the medical, health and food industries gathered this week at an Institute of Medicine meeting to explore strategies to reduce sodium in the American diet, West Coast poultry company Foster Farms readies an awareness campaign highlighting its natural, fresh chicken and reassuring consumers that the family-owned poultry company has never, and will never, inject its fresh chicken with saltwater. Beginning in April, the company will launch a consumer awareness campaign to inform shoppers of the little known practice of some producers "plumping" - or injecting - fresh chicken with unusable saltwater. "Plumping" costs consumers in their health and their bottom line. The average serving of plumped chicken contains more sodium than a large order of French fries or more than 25% of the daily recommended allowance. Research shows that high sodium intake is linked to many diseases, including high blood pressure and heart disease1. Consumers who purchase plumped chicken could pay up to $1.50 per package, or more than $100 per year per household2, on saltwater, alone.  Some chicken companies have been plumping chicken for years and labeling the product "Natural."  "There's nothing 'natural' about saltwater that consumers are unknowingly paying for at chicken prices," said Ira Brill, Director of Marketing and Advertising Services for Foster Farms. "We believe consumers who purchase fresh chicken should get what they expect to pay for, particularly in these tough economic times. We feel it's important to continue our 70-year commitment to producing premium, all natural, fresh poultry." Foster Farms' new program, which involves television advertising, events, online and out-of-home components, begins April 13 and will focus on uncovering the practice of "plumping" fresh chicken with saltwater. The company's web site at www.fosterfarms.com includes recipes and tips from the company's nutritionist. March 31, 2009 Foster Farms Press Release
   

• 'Card check' bill loses key supporters - - Whether you label it the "card check" bill or the Employee Free Choice Act, you can also call it something else -- in deep trouble. Key senators this week appeared to cripple prospects for passing the highly polarizing measure, the labor movement's top priority in Congress, which is aimed at making it easier for workers to join unions. The latest hurdle came Friday, when Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said she would seek alternative legislation that was less divisive. Feinstein, a past sponsor of the act, cited the flailing economy as a reason; other critics of the bill have said it would drive up operating costs for businesses at a perilous time. "This is an extraordinarily difficult economy, and feelings are very strong on both sides of the issue," Feinstein said in a statement. "I would hope there is some way to find common ground that would be agreeable to both business and labor." <more> March 31, 2009 LA Times  
   

• Politics of the Plate: McDonald’s Eggs to Go Cage-Free - - In what would be a dramatic shift in corporate policy, McDonald’s could soon begin serving only free eggs. Cage-free, that is. Describing the nearly 280 million “battery-cage” hens in this country as “arguably the most abused animals in all agribusiness” (click the link to see what “battery cages” look like), the Humane Society of the United States announced last week that it would introduce a resolution at a McDonald’s shareholder meeting in May requesting that the fast-food chain use only cage-free eggs.  The Humane Society explains that typically, each bird in a battery operation is housed in an area no bigger than a sheet of letter-sized paper, adding that the wire cages are so restrictive that the chickens can’t so much as spread their wings, let alone engage in other natural behaviors like nesting, cleaning themselves, perching, and foraging.  <more> March 31, 209 Gourmet.com
   

• Turkey industry applauds USDA’s turkey breast purchase announcement - - The turkey industry applauded today’s announcement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that the Agriculture Department will be making up to a $60 million bonus purchase of turkey meat to help stabilize falling turkey prices.  Vilsack’s announcement came during testimony before the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.  The secretary said USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) intends to expedite a major bonus purchase of turkey meat within the next six weeks to help turkey growers and processors who have been hurt in the current recession. “The turkey industry thanks Secretary Vilsack and the poultry division at AMS for their favorable response to our recent request for a bonus purchase,” said NTF’s President Joel Brandenberger.  “This purchase hopefully will help reverse a downward trend in turkey prices.  It also will be helpful as USDA strives to meet its nutrition goals by providing this nutrient rich protein for the department’s feeding programs.” NTF in January had asked Vilsack for a bonus purchase of approximately 50 million pounds of boneless, skinless turkey breast meat.  NTF said economists estimate that a 50 million-pound purchase would not restore breast meat prices to where they were before the recession began, but would begin the process of returning them to their historical average of the last four years.  March 31, 2009 NTF Press Release
   

• California egg production up in February over 2008 - - California’s egg production during February totaled 400 million, a decrease of 47 million from January’s production, but 8 million above February 2008.  The average number of layers during the month totaled 19.8 million, 1 percent below last month, but 1 percent above February 2008.  Eggs per 100 layers during the month were 2,023, compared to 2,242 a month earlier and 2,002 in February 2008. March 31, 2009 USDA Report
   

• California bill would ease farm union sign-ups - - California's farmworker unions have for years sought new rules making it easier for workers to organize. But the unions are stuck on the sidelines as corporations and organized labor duel over a union-backed bill recently introduced in Congress. The legislation, dubbed the Employee Free Choice Act, would amend federal law to give workers the option of joining unions by signing cards, rather than casting secret ballots. California farmworkers are covered by state law, however, meaning the change would not affect them. So the United Farm Workers union and other farm unions are once again looking to Sacramento, where Senate Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg has introduced a state version of the federal bill aimed at agricultural unions. Senate Bill 789 would give workers the option of bypassing the secret-ballot elections. Instead, they could sign representation cards. If a majority signed up, the state would certify the new bargaining unit. <more> March 31, 2009 Sacramento Bee
   

• Calif. firm plans to turn Iowa cobs into ammonia - - A San Francisco-based company plans to build a plant in central Iowa where it will produce anhydrous ammonia fuel and fertilizer from corncobs and other biomass. SynGest says it will build the plant near Menlo, about 40 miles west of Des Moines . The company says it has signed an agreement to buy 75 acres, where it will build a plant that uses 150,000 tons of corncobs annually to manufacture 50,000 tons of bio-ammonia. SynGest says it's the first plant of its kind in the nation. On Monday, company CEO Jack Oswald estimated the plant will employ about 40 people full-time, and 500 people will work on construction. Startup is planned for fall 2009 or spring 2010. March 31, 2009 AP
   

• US corn acreage expected to drop slightly - The government says the nation's corn crop is expected to drop for the second straight year, largely due to lower anticipated production outside the traditional corn belt. The Agriculture Department said Tuesday lower prices and the unstable cost of fertilizer are discouraging some farmers from growing corn this year. The crop is expected to total 85 million acres, down 1 percent from a year ago.  USDA says farmers in major corn-producing states such as Iowa intend to plant a slightly larger crop this year. Total U.S. acreage still would be the third-largest in the last 60 years. The soybean crop is expected to be up slightly, to a record 76 million acres. March 31, 2009 AP