The Environmental Protection Agency is set make a decision on Tuesday on a petition by Growth Energy to raise the blend limit in gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent.
However, even if EPA agrees to raise the limit, there is no guarantee that gasoline with a higher blend of ethanol will be available at service stations any time soon. According to the Des Moines Register, refiners don’t want to put more ethanol in gasoline unless Congress gives them protection from potential lawsuits from motorists or consumers who claim that ethanol hurts their engines.
As assumed in the aftermath of Issue 2 in Ohio last month, the Humane Society of the United States has announced that they plan to sponsor a ballot initiative in Missouri in the spring of 2010. It is expected that this initiative will look very similar to Proposition 2 that was passed in California.
Missouri does not plan to sit back on this issue. State agricultural groups have come together to formally organize as the Missouri Animal Ag Coalition. Garrett Hawkins from the Missouri Farm Bureau confirmed that notion when he spoke to the University of Missouri’s Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter on Nov. 18.
“We don’t agree with the way members will be selected for the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, but I would expect to see something similar,” Hawkins said.
The Missouri Animal Ag Coalition will focus on the creation of legislation, a strong public relations campaign, developing a network of partners, finding grassroots support and developing an effective social media presence. Ideally, it will consist of a representative from each industry; along with professionals from all of the fields involved in the future debate with HSUS.
China’s government declared two strains of genetically modified rice safe to produce and consume, taking a major step toward endorsing the use of biotechnology in the staple food crop of billions of people in Asia.
In a written reply to questions from The Wall Street Journal, China’s Ministry of Agriculture said Monday that it had issued safety certificates to domestically developed strains of genetically modified rice and corn, after a years-long process involving trial production and environmental tests. Further approvals are required before the strains can be grown on a commercial scale, the ministry said, and industry participants said it may take another two to three years for the rice to reach production.
The Chinese approval of biotech crops comes after a decision earlier this year by British government ministries to allow the import of biotech crops to Britain, breaking a long-time ban of the technology in Britain and breaking with the continued ban by the EU.
The Boulder Valley and Longmont Conservation Districts, along with the Longmont Natural Resources Conservation Service office invite you to the “Managing Nitrogen to Maximize Gains” workshop on January 7, 2010 at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont, Colorado.
If you plant to attend, please RSVP at (303) 776-4034 ext. 3.
Speakers will include:
Mike Peterson- Agronomist for Orthman
Brian Arnall- Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University
Kimbal Rasmusen of Deseret Power and Transmission in Utah, spoke at the General Session of the 09 Annual Meeting and confirmed much of what we all suspected about the global warming “crisis.” Kimbal id a great job of explaining the data surrounding the global warming models that predict our coming doom, and the large assumptions that scientists had to make in order to receive the predictions they claim are foolproof. He also showed us the absurdity of the Cap and Trade scheme when looked at in the global context. The legislation will have no effect on any global warming that may be occurring, if China and India the worlds largest emitters of GHG’s, do nothing to slow their contribution of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. You can access the Rassmussen Powerpoint Presentation here on The Pulse to view the information yourself.
Dr. Dana Hoag, CSU
Dr. Dana Hoag of CSU was also on hand at the General Session to present his study on the costs to agriculture from the states wildlife population every year. Dr. Hoag’s study has found that every year, it costs Colorado agriculture $67 million to coexist with the states wildlife. This figure includes the opportunity cost of coexistence, damages and management and prevention. You can read the full report here. Dr. Hoag’s study was comissioned by Colorado Farm Bureau in order to understand the full measure of the agricultural contribution to the states wildlife population.
Georgia Farm Bureau President, Zippy Duvall
Also at the General Session, Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall introduced members to theirFarm Bureau partner down south, surveying Georgia agriculture and the traditions and culture that make up the soul of Georgia Farm Bureau. Later that evening Mr. Duvall also spoke to county farm bureau presidents.
Climate change legislation is not expected to hit the Senate floor until July, it is possible the bill will be put off until the next Congress
“Most of the country doesn’t know what cap-and-trade is. They have no idea. I would say half the Senate has no idea what cap-and-trade is and could not explain it,” Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, told The Hill on Tuesday.
Democratic centrists facing re-election, such as Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), are said to prefer consideration of the controversial climate bill shortly before Election Day 2010.
In response to the postponing of the legislation, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) told Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman, Barbara Boxer (D-CA), “We won, you lost; Get a life.”
Computer hackers illegally accessed thousands of e-mails and documents from a prominent climate change research center and posted them online last week. The posted materials, stolen from the Climate Research Unit at East Anglia University in the United Kingdom, are raising eyebrows and ethical questions in the scientific community.
Correspondence among dozens of researchers around the world, including some from the U.S., points to bitter divides among those who believe global warming is caused by human activities and rivals who take the opposing viewpoint. Some of the e-mail correspondence refers to scientists who believe humans cause global warming working to exclude the publication of contrary views in scientific publications.
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), the most outspoken global warming skeptic in Congress, said Tuesday that he’d begun an investigation into what he alleges to be the manipulation of global warming research.
He also said he wanted to look into whether the conclusions of an international panel on global warming—and the policies based on it—were distorted.
Inhofe, the senior Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, sent letters to many of the scientists whose e-mail messages were made public, and to a number of U.S. government agencies, asking them to preserve all correspondence as the first step in his investigation.
“The stakes in this controversy are significant, as it appears that the basis of federal programs, pending E.P.A. rulemakings, and cap-and-trade legislation was contrived and fabricated,” Inhofe said.
The Senate on Saturday voted 60-39 to move forward and begin debate on health care reform legislation, H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. All Democratic and Independent members of the Senate voted in favor of moving forward with debate on the measure, while all Republicans who were present (one was absent) voted against it.
The full Senate is expected to begin debate on the bill after the Thanksgiving holiday recess and consider amendments through most of December. Inclusion of a “public option” or government-run health insurance plan is the most contentious provision in the bill. Most Democrats favor inclusion of the public option, although Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana have come out against it. Independent Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut said he will oppose any bill with a public option and called the idea of a government-run plan “radical” on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
The American Farm Bureau Federation opposes a public option or government-run health care.
The Ag Trade Coalition has issued a statement on the “Importance of Trade for U.S. Agriculture” to underscore the positive contributions from trade and its importance to the economic recovery and food security of the United States.
The coalition, which includes AFBF, noted that exports are essential to the prosperity of U.S. food and agriculture. About 25 percent of the total volume of U.S. farm production is exported, with many commodities having a much higher dependence on trade. U.S. food and agricultural exports are directly tied to jobs here at home and create economic opportunities for American farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses.
The coalition applauded discussions being held this week between President Barack Obama and his Asian counterparts concerning the need for global economic growth. The group urged support for closer economic integration between nations through trade.
Nick Colglazier and I compete in the Final Four. Colglazier is an amazing speaker and a downright entertaining guy.
My dad, a lifelong businessman, has always said that ‘if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu’. This was part of my opening statement in the Final Four round of the YF&R Discussion Meet and this moment, this entire weekend, marked the beginning of an amazing journey.
When I first attended a CFB meeting last year, I had no idea the opportunities that would be available to me. Since then, I’ve developed amazing friendships with a number of other members including a mentor-like relationship with Susan Leach. Leach is not only one of the state’s most active and exceptional District Representatives, she’s a mentor and a great pal.
When I signed up to compete in the Discussion Meet, I knew I would meet other young members and maybe even forge a friendship or two. I had no idea that I would meet Nick Colglazier, who is so dynamic that I step my game up ten steps around him. Nathan Weathers, from Yuma County, is brilliant and brave. The Discussion Meet winner, Deanna Bartee, a fellow teacher, is headed to Seattle and I’m (courtesy of the Women’s Committee essay contest and YF&R) lucky enough to go too! She’s also gracious enough to use me as a resource while preparing and competing at the AFBF Discussion Meet and I’m looking forward to being her “person”.
CFB is filled with amazing individuals and opportunities and I’m so glad to be a part.
Both the Ag Education live and silent auction at the recent CFB Annual Meeting have raised over $9000 for Ag education in Colorado. Among the highlights was a bidding war between CBFMIC’s Jeff Smith and other insurance employees over a prize winning pie made by Phyllis Snyder. The Executive Workhorse part of the sale set a record price for the day of work from Executive Vice President Troy Bredenkamp. The winning bid of $850 went to Nate and Niki Weathers of Yuma. Thanks to all the bidders for making this years auction such a huge success!
The war begins...
Continues...
and ends...
Nate and Niki Weathers with their brand new executive Workhorse
The 2009 CFB Annual Meeting, held at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center was a huge success and we thank all the members and guests who attended! Stay tuned for updates from the meeting, we will be posting the highlights in the next few days. Until then, please visit the CFB Flicker Page and view the 09 Annual Meeting set.
Climate change legislation is not expected to hit the Senate floor until July, it is possible the bill will be put off until the next Congress
“Most of the country doesn’t know what cap-and-trade is. They have no idea. I would say half the Senate has no idea what cap-and-trade is and could not explain it,” Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, told The Hill on Tuesday.
“You have to get this stuff out to the American people before you change their lives, and we are not paying any attention to that,” Rockefeller said.
Democratic centrists facing re-election, such as Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), are said to prefer consideration of the controversial climate bill shortly before Election Day 2010.
The upcoming Ag Education Auction at the CFB Annual Meeting will be “one for the record books” according to Troy Bredenkamp, CFB Executive Vice President. The Auction will take place on Friday evening, (20th) at 7:30 p.m. in the Grand Mesa room.
Members should prepare their bids. In addition to our Executive Workhorse, CFB will be auctioning off a John Elway signed throwback Broncos helmet, donated by CFBMIC. Get ready!
September pork plus pork variety meat exports reached nearly 154,000 metric tons (339.5 million pounds) valued at $347.8 million, the highest volume since April 2009, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
September beef plus beef variety meat exports were down slightly from August, with the January-September cumulative total falling further behind last year’s pace, as beef exports continue to struggle amid market access restrictions and difficult global economic conditions
Controlled-atmosphere stunning (CAS) offers no significant welfare advantage over conventional low-voltage electrical stunning in the commercial processing of chickens, according to a recent study that included Tyson Foods Inc. and Keystone Foods LLC, two suppliers of McDonald’s Corp. As in most parts of the world, there are no large-scale chicken producers in the U.S. that use the CAS method.
CAS uses a gas such as carbon dioxide to render chickens and other poultry unconscious and insensible to pain prior to slaughter. The conventional technique U.S. poultry processors employ uses low-level electrical stunning to do the same thing. Animal welfare experts have long had mixed views on which stunning practice is more humane.
Testing both practices in a commercial environment included evaluation of several factors, including animal welfare and handling, carcass yield and product quality.
Globally, McDonald’s continues to support its suppliers’ using both CAS and electrical stunning. The latest evaluation confirms that it is the proper thing to do at this time, Bob Langert, McDonald’s vice president of corporate social responsibility, told FeedStuffs.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may miss a Dec. 1 deadline for a decision on an industry request to raise the amount of ethanol that can be blended into gasoline, Reuters reported.
On March 6, 54 ethanol manufactures asked the EPA to bump up the percentage of ethanol allowed in gasoline to 15 percent from 10 percent.
But the EPA is still studying how a higher blend rate would affect the engines of cars, trucks and smaller vehicles, so the agency may have to extend its work past the deadline, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson was quoted as saying.
In March, Growth Energy submitted a waiver to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lift the arbitrary regulatory cap on ethanol from a 10 percent blend of ethanol to a 15 percent blend of ethanol in our gas supply.
Blending higher percentages of ethanol into gas is a way to create American jobs, increase our energy independence, and improve our environment.
According to the Wall Street Journal, key Senate Democrats Tuesday said it is unlikely there will be any more major committee action on climate-change legislation this year, the strongest indication yet that a comprehensive bill to cut greenhouse-gas emissions won’t be voted on until at least next year.
Although the Senate Environment Committee last week approved a version of the bill, the proposal will face strong revisions from moderate Democrats, particularly from senators on the Finance and Agriculture committees.
“It’s common understanding that climate-change legislation will not be brought up on the Senate floor and pass the Senate this year,” Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus said on the sidelines of a caucus lunch.
Mr. Baucus, a Montana Democrat, said he planned to hold a number of hearings on climate legislation and eventually mark up a bill in his panel. “But I don’t know that I can get a bill put together by this year, as important as climate-change legislation is,” he said.
Mr. Baucus was the lone dissenting Democratic vote on the Environment Panel last week because he wanted weaker emission-reduction targets and stronger provisions to protect energy-intensive industries and encourage clean-coal technologies.
Menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the basic trimmings dropped 4 percent in price this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 24th annual informal price survey.
The price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $42.91, a $1.70 price decrease from last year’s average of $44.61.
“As we gather this Thanksgiving for food and fellowship, it’s fitting to take a moment to recognize and give thanks, not only for the abundant food we enjoy as Americans, but for the hard-working farm and ranch families across our nation who produce it,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman.
The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10.
Lincoln County Farm Bureau recently held their annual meeting despite a nasty winter (fall) storm. The roads iced up quickly but members were able to receive their awards and have a hot meal before heading back out into the weather.
Charles Hoffman called the meeting to order and introduced Young Farmer & Rancher Representative Jason Vermillion to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Susan Leach accepted a token of the Lincoln County Farm Bureau Board’s appreciation in honor of her husband, John, a retiring board member. John is the “Grill Master” at the Lincoln County Fair Farm Bureau concession booth every year and the board thought it appropriate to present him with a brand new BBQ set.
Regional Manager Jayde VanCleave spoke to Lincoln County members during the annual meeting. He brought them up to date on the new Don’t CAP Our Future Program and gave a preview of CFB Annual Meeting.
Cargill is hoping a shipment of vaccinations will arrive in time to treat the company’s sow herd against H1N1, according to Meatingplace.
Cargill spokesman Mark Klein said the H1N1 vaccine would be administered to Cargill’s 120,000 pigs as part of the company’s semiannual vaccination program in mid-December. The company should know later this month whether the H1N1 vaccine would be available in time.
“The mothers can then pass on some immunity to the offspring,” Klein said in an e-mail. “While we have good biosecurity at our sow farms, some people can have H1N1 24 hours before showing symptoms. Except for high risk groups, H1N1 doesn’t seem to be more virulent than the seasonal human flu, but few people have natural immunity to it and so more people are getting sick.”
USDA has said the vaccine should be available by the end of the year. The agency has been encouraging hog producers to vaccinate their animals against H1N1, though its spread has been more prevalent in humans than in hogs. While H1N1 has been passed from humans to hogs, there are no reports of the virus spreading from hogs to humans.
For those of you planning on attending the CFB Annual Meeting, make sure you have plans to attend the Ag Education Auction on Friday November 20th at 7:30 p.m. The Executive Workhorse will again be for sale!
It irrigates, it vaccinates, it drives a combine, and much, much more!
Dont miss your chance to own an Executive Workhorse for a day!
Since the introduction of the Don’t CAP Our Future Campaign, you have done a great job signing caps, signature cards and posters. I encourage you to continue to do so. Ask your neighbors to sign the online petition. So far there have only been 25 people from Colorado sign the AFBF online petition and we need your help to get that number higher! You could also ask you neighbor to sign a signature card. Better yet, ask if they have caps they would like to donate to the campaign. We need more caps!
Please remember to bring them in to your local Farm Bureau Insurance office, give them to your regional manager or bring them to the upcoming CFB Annual Meeting.
The Cap and trade plans currently before congress are specifically designed to drive up the cost of energy and will reduce the productive output of American farmers and ranchers. Productive and fertile land will be take out of production to grow trees, food prices will increase and more people overseas will go hungry.
Ag groups across the country are lining up to oppose (with a few notable exceptions) the Cap and Trade plans before congress. Please help CFB do its part in protecting the interests of farmers, rancher and American consumers across this great land.
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 10, 2009—Wet and cold weather over much of the country in October put a dent in corn and cotton yields, but the Agriculture Department is still forecasting corn yields will be the highest on record and total corn production will be the second highest on record.
USDA released its November crop report today, and economists with the American Farm Bureau Federation said estimates were generally in line with what analysts expected. Because of delayed harvest over much of the corn, cotton and soybean producing areas, USDA’s December and January crop reports could show some significant adjustments compared to November, which is unusual. Usually there is little change between the November and January crop reports.
“Because of the late harvest, I would expect to see another drop in corn production in the January report. USDA’s January crop report will be watched a lot closer than normal because of the late harvest,” said Terry Francl, AFBF senior economist.
“The real concern over much of the country for corn is not yields, but quality and drying costs due to the wet weather. Particularly in Illinois, there are report that yields are good, but drying costs are up which will put a real crimp on farm income,” Francl said.
EPA Sends White House Finding on Greenhouse Gas Endangerment
On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it sent the White House Office of Management and Budget its proposed finding that greenhouse gases endanger human health and welfare, according to a posting on the Wall Street Journal’s Environmental Capital blog.
Adoption of that endangerment finding is the legal precursor to regulating such gases under the Clean Air Act. “This is the next step in the regulatory process. Nothing has been finalized at this point, and the April 2009 proposed findings are still just that—proposed and being reviewed through the regulatory process,” an EPA spokeswoman said.
EPA must finalize the endangerment finding before it can issue the final emissions limits. Review by the White House Office of Management and Budget is usually the last step before the agency issues a final rule.
EPA is responding to a 2007 Supreme Court decision that said carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act, and that EPA is required to determine whether emissions from cars and trucks endanger public health and welfare. An endangerment finding triggers the requirement for EPA to regulate those emissions.
Nebraska, Missouri and Illinois appear to be the next three states being targeted by the Human Society of the United States (HSUS) for animal rights initiatives.
Larry Sitzman, executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, says Nebraska livestock groups are already discussing strategy. He says Ohio’s successful Issue 2, establishing a livestock care standards board, is one of the approaches being considered.
The Environmental Protection Agency is set make a decision on Tuesday on a petition by Growth Energy to raise the blend limit in gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent.
The Ag Trade Coalition has issued a statement on the 
September pork plus pork variety meat exports reached nearly 154,000 metric tons (339.5 million pounds) valued at $347.8 million, the highest volume since April 2009, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the 
Menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the basic trimmings dropped 4 percent in price this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 
Lincoln County Farm Bureau recently held their annual meeting despite a nasty winter (fall) storm. The roads iced up quickly but members were able to receive their awards and have a hot meal before heading back out into the weather.
Susan Leach accepted a token of the Lincoln County Farm Bureau Board’s appreciation in honor of her husband, John, a retiring board member. John is the “Grill Master” at the Lincoln County Fair Farm Bureau concession booth every year and the board thought it appropriate to present him with a brand new BBQ set.
uring the annual meeting. He brought them up to date on the new Don’t CAP Our Future Program and gave a preview of CFB Annual Meeting.
Cargill is hoping a shipment of vaccinations will arrive in time to treat the company’s sow herd against H1N1, according to 
For those of you planning on attending the CFB Annual Meeting, make sure you have plans to attend the Ag Education Auction on Friday November 20th at 7:30 p.m. 
The Cap and trade plans currently before congress are specifically designed to drive up the cost of energy and will reduce the productive output of American farmers and ranchers. Productive and fertile land will be take out of production to grow trees, food prices will increase and more people overseas will go hungry.
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 10, 2009
Shawn Martini
Brent Boydston
Troy B
Chad Vorthmann
Crystal Frank
El Sagehorn
Garin Vorthmann
Rachel Vermillion
