Feds provide aid to livestock ranchers
The Agriculture Department will provide surplus stocks of non-fat dry milk to livestock ranchers in parts of the United States that have been hit hardest by continuing drought.
Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said Tuesday a Drought Coordinating Council will be created to monitor ongoing drought conditions and their impact on farmers and ranchers.
The council will coordinate federal resources to help farmers and communities affected by drought.
"Many regions continue to face persistent and severe drought conditions," Veneman said. The council "will monitor the situation and coordinate the resources the administration has available to address needs where they exist."
The council combines resources from the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Agricultural Research Service, the Cooperative State Research, Extension and Education Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Agricultural Marketing Service and agencies under Rural Development.
In addition, the council is working with the Interior Department and other federal, state and local agencies to coordinate wildfire prevention and suppression efforts and aid families, businesses and communities affected by drought.
Veneman said the 2003 Livestock Feed Program will provide relief for livestock ranchers in areas hit hardest by drought by making available surplus stocks of non-fat dry milk not intended for human consumption.
Stocks will be provided to several states and tribal governments in areas designated as severely impacted by drought. About 100 counties in nine states meet the criteria.
"One of our most pressing concerns right now is the ability of pasture and grazing lands to support livestock herds," Veneman said. "Non-fat dry milk can serve as a high quality source of protein to maintain foundation livestock herds in this critical time."
National Farmers Union President Dave Frederickson said the assistance is a first step toward alleviating what they consider to be "the worst natural disaster" in modern history.
Climate changes in offing for Great Lakes
A new study by the Union of Concerned Scientists and the and the Ecological Society of America predicts the climate in the Great Lakes region will be as much as 18 degrees Fahrenheit warmer in the summer and 13 degrees warmer in winter because of the buildup of greenhouse gases.
That, University of Illinois soil scientists Michelle Wander said, will mean a longer growing season for farmers. However, she said, the temperature increase also will mean reduced soil moisture, which in turn will lead to reduced yields for such crops as corn.
Wander told a news conference in Chicago at which the report was released she does not really expect reduced food production.
"Farmers are very adaptable," she said, adding the longer growing season will mean some farmers will double crop while others will switch to more suitable crops.
Farmers lose w/ WTO talk failure
Australia Trade Minister Mark Vaile said he believes non-subsidized farmers around the world are the losers with the World Trade Organization's failure to meet a deadline last week for drafting an agriculture reform proposal.
"Let us be clear, the responsibility for this failure lies squarely at the feet of those members who are continuing to oppose efforts to bring about genuine reform of agricultural trade," Vaile said, singling out European Union nations and Japan.
Vaile said Japan and the United States have agriculture industries that distort the world's overall situation. But he said he believes the United States has been willing to make concessions that would benefit other countries.
Poultry disease suspected in Texas
Exotic Newcastle disease is suspected in a flock of backyard fighting gamecock to be found near El Paso, Texas.
Texas Animal Health Commission officials said about 100 sick birds were reported to the state during the weekend. Laboratory confirmation of their condition is expected by Friday.
The disease has caused nearly 3.5 million birds in California to be destroyed to stop its spread. The disease causes severe illnesses and death to birds, but poses little threat to people or the human food supply.
Company tries to improve fertilizer sales
Itronics Metallurgical Inc. has created a new product and marketing program to increase fertilizer sales.
The company is working with its distributors on a program to implement the use of its Gold 'n' Gro base liquid as a supplement to the distributors' proprietary liquid field blend programs.
Officials said the company has researched for more than seven years how to improve the liquid as a base that can be used in large volume proprietary liquid field blend programs. The base is a mixture of thiosulfates and chelates that improve the ability of plants to extract nutrients from the soil.
Grains mixed on CBOT
Grain futures were mixed at the close Tuesday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybeans rose despite profit-taking activity and an easing of congestion at Brazilian ports.
Corn and wheat fell on beliefs Monday's gains were overdone.
Oats were lower.
The prices:
Soybeans: May 6.01 up 2 1/4, Jul 5.99 1/2 up 2 1/4, Aug 5.86 1/2 up 2 3/4, Nov 5.30 3/4 up 4 1/4.
Corn: May 2.42 3/4 off 1/2, Jul 2.44 1/2 unch, Sep 2.43 3/4 unch, Dec 2.43 1/2 off 1/4.
Wheat: May 2.83 1/2 off 6 3/4, Jul 2.89 1/2 off 4 3/4, Sep 2.94 off 5 1/4, Dec 3.05 1/4 off 4.
Oats: May 1.87 3/4 off 1, Jul 1.61 1/4 off 1 1/4, Sep 1.49 1/4 off 3/4, Dec 1.46 1/2 off 1/2.
