Is a Cow Eating My Lunch? New CAST Issue Paper: 'Animal Feed vs. Human Food'

Animal agriculture is bad--or at least that seems to be the message emanating from certain groups and individuals. Some mistakenly believe that animal agriculture takes away human food supplies and wastes resources--this general message can be misconstrued or misused. In this Council for Agriculture Science and Technology Issue Paper, scientific experts address the knowledge gap that exists as to the quantity of human food and fiber by-products used within animal agriculture. A task force of authors and reviewers led by Dr. Jude Capper examines the facts and provides science-based research to support credible information about the "feed versus food" issue.

-- The global livestock industry faces considerable challenges as the population grows, and demands for more food must be aligned with concerns about the environment, economy, and sustainability. Many do not realize the productivity gains made by modern practices, by-product feeds, and technology.

-- Large areas of land are incapable of supporting the production of human food crops. Terrain, soil type, and climate render the majority of land currently used for grazing unsuitable for production of vegetable-based foods, yet forages can be efficiently converted by ruminant animals into meat and milk products.

This paper emphasizes that improved communication is needed between livestock production stakeholders and the consumer to further a better understanding of the economic, environmental, nutritional, and social advantages conferred by animal agriculture on a global and regional basis.

You can read more of this story and find links to both a summary and the full report by clicking here. 

WTO Adopts Report Ruling in Favor of US in Chicken Products Trade Dispute with China 

United States Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman announced that the World Trade Organization (WTO) adopted an August 2, 2013 dispute settlement panel report in favor of the United States in a major trade dispute with China, proving that China's imposition of duties on U.S. chicken "broiler" products violates international trade rules. With the report now formally adopted by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body, China must bring itself into compliance with its WTO obligations. In 2009 - the year before China imposed the duties - the United States exported over 613,000 metric tons of broiler meat to China. Exports fell almost 90 percent after the imposition of the duties, according to a USTR press release.

"Today's announcement is welcome news to U.S. chicken producers, who look forward to once again competing in this viable export market without unjustified trade restrictions," said National Chicken Council President Mike Brown. "We're hopeful that mutually beneficial trade in poultry products between China and the United States can now be restored as soon as possible. Today's news sends a clear message to other countries that have similarly brought unjustified anti-dumping duties on U.S. chicken products."

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Five states, including Oklahoma, have submitted a plan to preserve the Lesser Prairie Chicken in hopes the Fish and Wildlife Service will not recommending the listing of the bird as an endangered species.

The Lesser Prairie Chicken Range-Wide Conservation plan was developed by groups from Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Colorado and New Mexico who are members of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

In a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, the group urged a close cooperation between the wildlife agencies in the states involved and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The 303-page plan has a goal of supporting a population of 67,000 birds range-wide each year.

The overall purpose of creating the plan is to allow economic development to continue while conserving the population of the Lesser Prairie Chicken.

You can read more about the plan as well as find links to it and the letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by clicking here. 

Beef Board Committee Approves $38.5 Million Promotional Plan

The Cattlemen's Beef Board will invest about $38.5 million into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications in Fiscal Year 2014, if today's recommendation of the Beef Promotion Operating Committee is approved by USDA, following review by the full Beef Board.

In action concluding its two-day meeting in Denver this week, the Operating Committee - including 10 members of the Beef Board and 10 members of the Federation of State Beef Councils - approved checkoff funding for a total of 18 "Authorization Requests," or proposals for checkoff funding in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2013. The committee also recommended full Beef Board approval of a budget amendment to reflect the split of funding between budget categories affected by their decisions.

"I am just so pleased to let all beef producers and importers that our new committee structure and process helped us devise a coordinated plan of work for 2014 that points their checkoff investments directly at the goals of the Beef Industry Long Range Plan," said Beef Board and Operating Committee Chairman Weldon Wynn.

You'll find all the details of the plan on our website.  Click here to go there.
 

AFBF Advocates for Port Expansion Projects

Expanded capacity and access to markets on the West Coast is critical for U.S. agricultural products, which is why the American Farm Bureau Federation joined with the Alliance for Northwest Jobs & Exports this week to show support for three proposed multi-commodity export terminal projects in the Pacific Northwest.

Located in Cherry Point and Longview, Wash., and Boardman, Ore., the three proposed port expansion projects under consideration in the Pacific Northwest are expected to bring thousands of jobs while strengthening the region's trade infrastructure, benefitting coal, agriculture and other producers.

"Agriculture is very trade dependent. Last year alone, more than $141 billion worth of U.S. agriculture products were exported around the globe," said Steve Baccus, president of Kansas Farm Bureau and chair of the American Farm Bureau Federation Trade Advisory Committee. "The Pacific Northwest is a crucial gateway for agricultural exports, and these export facilities will help our members meet the increased demand for their goods in burgeoning Asian markets."

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Cargill Commits $520,000 to National FFA Organization Programs

Minnesota-based Cargill has pledged more than $520,000 to support several National FFA Organization programs and initiatives.

A large portion of this corporate donation to the organization - $160,000 - will support "Blast Off," an annual training conference for newly-elected state FFA officers that helps them identify their strengths, develop personal growth plans, master public speaking and improve management skills.

The company has also pledged $150,000 to support the organization's continued development of its Agriculture Career Network (AgCN), an online portal that FFA members use from middle school through college and beyond to track educational accomplishments, build career portfolios, apply for awards and scholarships, pursue internships and apply for jobs.

Cargill has further committed an additional $300,000 to support AgCN over the next two years.

You can jump to the rest of this story by clicking here.
 

Registration Open for Rural Economic Outlook Conference November First

Oklahoma State University's Department of Ag Economics is hosting the 2013 Rural Economic Outlook Conference on November first at the Conoco Phillips Alumni Center on the campus of Oklahoma State University. The conference will focus on trends and expectations regarding the rural economy and agriculture.


Author and Futurist Joe Kotkin is the keynote speaker for the conference and will address key considerations for agricultural lenders, rural leaders, and others, which will be upcoming in the next year. Kotkin is an internationally-recognized authority on global, economic, political and social trends.


The conference will also feature presentations on water issues affecting agriculture and rural Oklahoma, an outlook panel, research updates, and the state of rural Oklahoma and agriculture. 

Click here for details and a link on how to register for the conference.