NCBA eUpdate, February 15, 201002/22/10 11:02:37 PM
NCBA MEMBER eUPDATE
NCBA News
NCBA Files a Petition for Reconsideration and Stay of EPA's Endangerment Finding
Last week NCBA petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider its finding that human-caused greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are an endangerment to public health and welfare ("endangerment finding"). The petition, filed on Feb. 12 by NCBA and other members of the Coalition for Responsible Regulation, is based upon information uncovered during the recent "climategate" scandal, which seriously calls into question the scientific validity behind EPA's finding.
"It's become evident that EPA's endangerment finding may be based on flawed data," said Tamara Thies, NCBA chief environmental counsel. "The fact that EPA did not choose to reconsider its finding after the extent of the climategate scandal was revealed publicly is perplexing to say the least; ignoring climategate will not make it go away."
Since "climategate" wasn't exposed until after the public comment period of the endangerment proposed rule had expired, NCBA and the Coalition are calling on EPA to convene a proceeding for reconsideration, and stay any further regulatory actions or rulemakings based upon the finding until the reconsideration is completed.
"EPA owes it to the American people to be sure a rule of this magnitude is based on accurate information, not fudged or fabricated temperature data," Thies continued. "Not only is the data questionable, but EPA also unlawfully sub-delegated its duties under the Clean Air Act to foreign entities with the clear agenda of promoting the theory of human-caused climate change. It is not lawful for EPA's 'scientific judgment' to be based on foreign alarmist agendas. Reconsideration of this rule is essential to restoring America's trust on this issue."
The petition asks EPA to convene a proceeding for reconsideration to thoroughly reevaluate EPA's heavy reliance upon the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports which have been called into fundamental question. As part of this proceeding, the petition asks that EPA: prepare a complete and objective record for the reconsideration proceeding which contains all the relevant scientific data, studies, and viewpoints and is cleansed of questionable or one-sided data; obtain and fully disclose all computer programs, data and algorithms used to "homogenize" all temperature records upon which EPA relies; subject the temperature records and programs to an independent review by qualified and objective scientists and statisticians; and determine whether or not there is any statistically valid demonstration of unprecedented global warming over the last century.
Finally, NCBA and the petitioners are requesting a stay in any further regulatory actions or rulemakings which are based upon the endangerment finding until these fundamental requirements of sound science, legal due process and valid administrative rulemakings are completed.
"Given the recent revelations which seriously call into question the science, legality, and administrative procedures behind EPA's finding, it would be irresponsible to move forward with this type of regulation—especially given the devastating impacts it would impose on the U.S. economy," said Thies.
The petition was signed by: NCBA; the Coalition for Responsible Regulation, Inc.; Industrial Minerals Association - North America; Great Northern Project Development, L.P.; Rosebud Mining Company; Massey Energy Company; and Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.
USA Today Praises Beef Safety Interventions USA Today ran an article in its Feb. 8 edition, "Safety before the slaughter: In fight against E. coli, front line moves to feedlots and farms." The article details pre- and post-harvest beef safety interventions.
Over the past few months, NCBA's media relations team working on behalf of the Beef Checkoff Program connected USA Today reporter Elizabeth Weise with Mandy Carr Johnson, Ph.D., NCBA's executive director of beef safety research. Carr Johnson provided background information about beef safety and pre- and post-harvest interventions for the article. Additionally, the team connected Weise with a number of beef safety experts for this article.
Among others, the article quotes beef safety experts Dan Thomson, veterinarian and professor of production medicine at Kansas State University; Mike Engler, president of Cactus Feeders and former chairman of the Joint Beef Safety Committee; Robin Anderson, a microbiologist for USDA's Agriculture Research Service in College Station, Texas; and Guy Loneragan, animal science professor at West Texas A&M University. The USA Today article quotes Loneragan as saying pre-slaughter interventions lower the E. coli O157:H7 burden in cattle. Loneragan said, "Obviously the bottom line is food safety."
An article in the Feb. 7 edition of the Kansas City Star also discussed beef safety interventions, quoting Michelle Rossman, NCBA's director of beef safety research.
As a reminder, ongoing efforts to improve E. coli prevention include new research and Beef Industry Food Safety Council (BIFSCo) initiatives like the 2010 Beef Safety Summit and regional safety meetings.
NCBA Announces Second Annual Youth Contest Winners
NCBA has announced winners of the youth contests at the 2010 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in San Antonio. This is the second year for the programs aimed at young people ages nine to young adult. The contests are focused on education, leadership and teamwork. NCBA Youth contests included Team Marketing, Beef Quiz Bowl, Prepared Public Speaking and Cattle Judging. The youth contests were coordinated by NCBA and exclusively sponsored by a grant from The Farm Credit System Foundation.
The Team Marketing contest had six teams compete with 18 total contestants. The collegiate division team winners, from Colorado State University, are: Cassie Lapaseotes, Kari Livingston and Samantha Plaggemeyer. The senior division team winners, from the Florida Cattlemen's Association, include: Samantha Newman, Clint Thum and Courtney Wingate. The purpose of the Team Marketing Contest is to encourage teamwork while promoting development of communication skills, marketing techniques and an understanding of cattle performance information.
The Youth Beef Quiz Bowl, which offers opportunities to demonstrate knowledge related to the cattle industry, had four teams competing. The first-place team represented the Florida Cattlemen's Association. Winning team members are: Cody Corson, Clint Thum, Brittany Warren, Haley Webb and Courtney Wingate.
The Prepared Public Speaking contest stimulates interest in leadership through presentation skills. Twenty six contestants competed in three age groups: Under 10, 11-14 and 15-19. The winners are: Katie Gardner of Fayetteville, Ark. (10 and under), Shelby Schiefelbein of Kimball, Minn. (11-14) and Lesli Garrett of Canton, Tex. (15-19).
Young Producers' Council Elects New Officers and Board
The next generation of cattle industry stakeholders from across the nation gathered in San Antonio to take part in the NCBA Young Producers' Council (YPC) business meeting held on Jan. 28 during the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show. In addition to adopting new operating procedures to govern future executive committee and board member appointments, the group also selected its 2010 executive committee and a board of directors. The board members will also represent the council on various NCBA policy committees.
Ben Spitzer of Fairmount, Ga. was appointed chair, and Ben Neale of Nashville, Tenn. was appointed vice chair. Sharon Breiner of Manhattan, Kan. was appointed to a new executive committee position of secretary/treasurer.
Individuals appointed to the YPC board and their respective NCBA policy committees were:
Evan Tate, Ky. - Ag Policy
Brandon Carlson, Calif. - Cattle Health and Well Being
Sarah Baker, Idaho - Federal Lands
Travis Hoffman, Colo. - Live Cattle Marketing
RaeMarie Gordon, Colo. - Membership
Holly Foster, Calif. - Property Rights and Environmental Management
Wyatt Prescott, Ariz. - Tax and Credit
Tonya Amen, Wisc. - Resolutions
Outgoing chair, Dustin Dean of Texas, will serve on the board in an advisory capacity.
Three task force appointments were also made during the business meeting.
Cari Rincker, New York - YPC Public Relations Task Force
Anna Aja, Arizona - YPC Membership Task Force
Katy Groseta, Arizona - YPC Cattle Call Blog Task Force
The Young Producers' Council was established during the 2008 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver and was initiated to help NCBA members ages 18 to 35 develop their leadership skills and become more involved in NCBA policy development. The group also helps provide networking opportunities, continuing education and professional development activities to its members. YPC members elected their first slate of officers at the 2009 Cattle Industry Annual Convention in Phoenix, Ariz.
Membership in the council is free to current NCBA members. For more information, become a fan of the Young Producers' Council on Facebook, or visit www.BeefUSA.org/ypc.
More Headline News
USDA Releases Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations Report
According to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistic Service (NASS), the number of farms in the United States in 2008 is estimated at 2.2 million, 0.2 percent fewer than in 2007.
Total land in farms, at 919.9 million acres, decreased 1.56 million acres, or 0.2 percent, from 2007. The average farm size was 418 acres, unchanged from the previous year. The decline in the number of farms and land in farms reflects a continuing consolidation in farming operations and diversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses.
The number of operations with cattle totaled 956,500 for 2008, down 1 percent from 2007. Beef cow operations in 2008, at 757,000, were also down 1 percent from last year. The number of milk cow operations for 2008 totaled 67,000, down 4 percent from 2007.
NIFA Awards Funding for Animal Health and Production Research
USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced on Feb. 2, $24 million in grants to study animal heath, reproduction, breeding, genetics and nutrition. The agriculture animal industry plays a crucial role in the success and growth of the nation's economy, accounting for 42 percent of forecast U.S. agricultural receipts in 2009.
"The agriculture animal industry faces increasing challenges from animal diseases, reduced fertility, low nutrition and growth and non-tariff trade barriers," said Roger Beachy, NIFA director. "These grants will help the United States maintain a strong, internationally-competitive animal agriculture industry and lead to safer and more affordable animal products."
NIFA awarded these grants through four program areas of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI): Animal Reproduction Program; Animal Genome, Genetics and Breeding Program; Animal Growth and Nutrient Utilization Program; and Integrated Solutions for Animal Agriculture Program. AFRI funds research, education, and extension grants and integrated research, extension and education grants that address key problems of national, regional and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of agriculture.
USDA Reports Net Farm Income Forecast Up Nearly 12 Percent in 2010
The USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) released the 2010 Farm Income Forecast last week. According the report, net farm income is forecast to be $63 billion in 2010, up $6.7 billion (11.8 percent) from 2009. The 2010 forecast is $1.4 billion below the average of $64.5 billion in net farm income earned in the previous 10 years. Still, the $63 billion forecast for 2010 remains the fifth-largest amount of income earned in U.S. farming.
In 2010, the economic conditions for livestock producers are expected to improve, while the economic conditions for crop producers are expected to deteriorate slightly or stabilize. Total expenses are forecast to be little changed from 2009.
Checkoff News: Annual Survey of Producers Shows Continued Approval of Beef Checkoff
A survey of 1,200 beef and dairy producers nationwide was conducted in late Dec. 2009 and early Jan. 2010 by the independent firm Aspen Media & Market Research. Despite finding that 7 in 10 producers said the current economic recession had impacted their operations negatively, their approval of the beef checkoff increased from 68 percent in 2009 to 69 percent in 2010. While not a 'significant shift,' researchers noted the economic impact on producer support of the checkoff has been small.
"Knowledge about the checkoff continues to be a predictor of favorability toward it," says Wesley Grau, cow/calf farmer from Grady, N.M., and chair of the Joint Producer Communications Committee (JPCC). "Producers who are 'very' or 'somewhat' well informed are more likely to approve of the checkoff, particularly among those who say they are very well informed. Among this group, 78 percent approve of the program (45 percent of them strongly), while only 16 percent disapprove. When you factor in the tough times all farmers and ranchers have been facing, this is encouraging news."
To that measure, the underlying value of the checkoff remains strong: a large majority (77 percent) feels the checkoff program has helped contribute to a positive trend in consumer demand for beef; a similar number believe the program has value in weak economic conditions or are confident it is on their side during a crisis.
And, when it comes to their own operations, many producers believe the program has benefited them. A large majority (61 percent) believe it helps contribute to the profitability of their operations, although this is down from a year ago.
Market News
Weather Impacts Beef Sales and Cattle Movement
The fed cattle market picked up more steam last week as prices were $2 to $3 higher. In the North, the bulk of the trade occurred at $87 to $88 live and $140 dressed. The South has traded at $89 to $89.50. The boxed beef market was modestly higher last week; storm disruptions on the East Coast as well as smaller slaughter levels made it difficult to judge true buyer interest going into this week. Movement on the beef side was moderate. Feeder cattle values improved by $2 for last week while calves increased by $2. Slaughter cows were primarily $2 firmer. Wet pasture and feedlot pen conditions through much of the country kept movement and demand very slow. Corn prices showed modest gains last week.
Source: CattleFax
Producer Education
2010 Integrated Resource Management "Redbooks" Available
The Redbook is a pocket-sized record book that contains more than 100 pages to record calving activity, herd health, pasture usage and cattle inventory, plus a date book and notes/address section. The book also includes Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) national guidelines and proper injection technique information.
2010 Redbooks are available in the BeefUSA Store. Redbooks can be customized (minimum order of 100 books) with your company information at a reduced price. If you would like to customize your Redbooks, please contact Grace Webb at gwebb@beef.org.
Texas AgriLife Research and Extension to Host Pasture and Livestock Management Workshop
The Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton is conducting a "Grazing School" March 30 through April 1 at its facility in Overton, Texas. The program will offer a comprehensive look at profitable forage management taking into consideration industry issues and economics, as well as the basics about soil and plant species. For more information or to register for the session, click here. Cost is $350 per person, which includes all meals, coffee breaks, refreshments and a workshop handbook. Participation in "Grazing School" is limited to the first 50 people who register and pay for each session. Attendees can receive continuing education credits.
Heads Up
NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen
Don't miss NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen, Feb. 16 through Feb. 20 where we'll learn about the new "I Heart Beef "campaign, as well as visit the Colorado State University Seedstock team in Fort Collins, Colo. We'll also have Todd Johnson, vice president of Owner Members Services with NCBA in the studio to discuss the benefits of being an NCBA member.
NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen debuts on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. The show also airs Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and on Saturday at 9 a.m. (all times are Eastern). Don't forget, you can watch NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen online anytime by visiting CattlemenToCattlemen.org. Also, follow us on Twitter at NCBA C2C and become a fan of the show on Facebook by searching NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen.
Membership Benefits
Win a Free Bottle of Cydectin® Pour-On from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.
If you join NCBA as a new member between now and May 31, 2010, you can get a free 500 mL bottle of Cydectin® Pour-On. The offer gets even better if you also join your state affiliate because you'll get two free bottles of Cydectin® Pour-On. Existing members can also take advantage of this great program by recruiting a new or reinstated member (has not had an active membership for at least three months), and receive a free bottle of Cydectin® Pour-On. This offer is only good while supplies last, so be sure to take advantage of this great opportunity. For more information, contact NCBA at 866-BEEF-USA.
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