Crop News Weekly: Swine Flu & Agriculture

As April comes to a close corn planting is progressing across the Midwest. Rainy weather has caused some delays, but with the merry month of May knocking at the door, producers across the nation are in full swing for the new crop season. So much attention this week is being focused on the global swine flu epidemic that's it hard not to begin this issue with that topic in mind. With Russia and China's announcement that they will stop accepting deliveries of swine from Texas and California, already the issue is having an adverse affect on agriculture. To what extent that may go, no one seems certain. In the days and weeks ahead we will keep our eye on it for you.

In this issue, how are crop subsidies in the global marketplace affecting U.S. exports? This week we take an inside look into one example. Also, there's a new FSA Administrator. Meet him in this issue. And we've got the latest about the growing myth of ethanol and food prices. Catch up with the latest.

You'll find these stories and more in this issue of Crop News Weekly. Happy reading.

No pigs have been found with swine flu (now known as H1N1) – only humans. But pork producers need to take precautionary measures to protect their herds from being infected with any flu virus, says Sandy Amass, a Purdue University veterinarian.

"Flu viruses are named after the first animal they were found in," says Amass. "This particular strain just happened to be discovered in pigs in 1930, and this is the only reason it's called swine flu. We don't even know if the virus found in humans will infect pigs."

At this point, the new H1N1 virus has not been found in the U.S. pig population, says Amass, who specializes in swine production medicine. Amass has three recommendations for pork producers. - Corn & Soybean Digest

A recent study from the University of Minnesota claims that ethanol production is resulting in a dramatic increase in water use, larger than was previously thought. However, by looking at water use in isolation, the report fails to take into account numerous factors that must be part of the water use discussion.

“Expansion of America’s renewable fuels industry is occurring with the most efficient use of natural resources like water in mind,” said Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen. “Ethanol producers are investing in new technologies that reduce water use, improve efficiency, and employ feedstocks in addition to grain for ethanol production. It is important that these worst-case scenarios offered by the University of Minnesota are not allowed to overshadow the improvements being made in farming and renewable fuel technologies.”

Context is critical when discussing water use. Notably, the paper fails to mention or explore in depth key factors.

U.S. agriculture subsidies may get lambasted by the international press for suppressing farm prices abroad, but a study by Texas Tech University economists finds that developing countries are equally, if not more, prone to protecting their agricultural sectors.

Researchers in Texas Tech’s Cotton Economics Research Institute studied the agricultural subsidies and protection applied by 21 countries to seven major crops: corn, cotton, rice, sorghum, soybeans, sugar and wheat.

The resulting report, Crop Subsidies in Foreign Countries: Different Paths to Common Goals, found that while policy tools employed by governments may differ, agricultural support is increasing not only in industrialized countries such as the U.S. or Australia, but in developing economies such as those of China or Brazil.

The soybean checkoff takes its investment of farmer checkoff dollars very seriously and as a result is continuously reviewing its own programs to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.

The United Soybean Board (USB) Audit and Evaluation (A&E) Committee is charged with reporting to the board the outcomes of any audits and evaluations performed on behalf of the soybean checkoff.

Each year the A&E program will do five to eight compliance reviews of the Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSBs). These compliance reviews are intended to assist each QSSB with making sure its work is compliant with the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act (Act & Order).

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of Doug Caruso as administrator of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency.

FSA administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster and loan programs through a network of federal, state and county offices. These programs are designed help producers manage their business risks and improve the stability and strength of the domestic agricultural economy.

“As FSA state executive director in Wisconsin for eight years, Doug Caruso compiled an impressive record of improving client services and enhancing outreach to historically underserved farmers,” said Vilsack.

President Barack Obama will nominate Edward M. Avalos as undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs at USDA. If confirmed, Avalos will serve with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

“Edward Avalos has spent a lifetime in agriculture, including 34 years in agricultural marketing," said Vilsack. "He has spearheaded innovative marketing techniques which have improved the economic viability of rural areas and established export marketing programs which have placed American crops on tables around the world.

“He brings extensive knowledge and a successful track record in both domestic and international marketing. We’re pleased to have him join the Obama Administration team at USDA as we meet the challenges and find the opportunities in the food and agriculture sectors in the 21st Century.”

Since soybean rust was introduced in the fall of 2004 in the United States, Kentucky farmers have seen no yield loss as a result of the disease. However, as soybean producers gear up for planting, they should be aware the U.S. soybean rust distribution map looks significantly different from a year ago, said a plant pathologist in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.

"I'm not saying soybean rust will be a problem this season, but the current location of soybean rust in the U.S. does merit our attention," said Don Hershman, UK Extension plant pathologist.

Since 2005, soybean rust has been found in very low levels in the state toward the end of the growing season. By the time it developed, it was too late in the growing season and the state's soybean crop was mature enough it was not affected by the disease. - Katie Pratt, University of Kentucky

The American Soybean Association sent out a news release dated April 2 announcing acceptance by the Korean Food and Drug Administration of both the Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans and Bayer’s LibertyLink soybeans.

This regulatory approval was the final step to allow unrestricted planting in the United States and the importation into all of the major markets.

The Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans represent a step up in glyphosate tolerance and the opportunity to develop higher yielding varieties. - Ford L. Baldwin, Practical Weed Consultants, LLC.

EDITOR'S NOTE

FROM OUR EDITORS

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