August 30

China's WTO Behavior Unresolved.  The trade has yet to see how exactly China's bureaucracy will handle its new responsibilities and commitments under the World Trade Organization, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). China's meat import and quarantine authority - the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) - has just published new post-WTO membership meat and livestock product import regulations and procedures. 

Pork Exports Decline First Half of 2002. A slight increase in U.S. pork variety meat exports offset declines in pork muscle cut exports during the first six months of 2002 but still resulted in a decline of 3% in volume, to 359,291 metric tons, and 5% in value, according to USDA export statistics. 

France Opposes CAP Reforms. REUTERS reports President Jacques Chirac says France continues to oppose any move before 2006 to reform the European Union agriculture policies. French farmers are the biggest beneficiaries of the current policy. In a foreign policy speech, Chirac also said France is determined that EU enlargement will move ahead on time and to improve Paris's often tense relations with Germany. Chirac told French ambassadors at a conference in Paris that new EU members, expected to enter the bloc from 2004, had to have their say in the future shape of its farm policy. "And so I will not allow enlargement to serve as an excuse for bringing forward a reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), a reform that can only take place in 2006 as agreed in Berlin," he said of an accord at a 1999 meeting of EU leaders. 

Processors Hit by Drought, Too.  REUTERS reports that the drought in grain producing regions this year has increased corn, wheat and soybean prices for farmers with a crop to harvest, but agribusiness processors who depend on those commodities have seen their profit outlooks erode. Analysts note Chicago Board of Trade corn prices have increased 25% since mid-June, soybean prices are up 22% and wheat prices up 30%. The higher prices are already denting agribusiness profits from processing corn into products like ethanol and high fructose corn syrup or crushing soybeans into meal and oil. 

Moscow Won't Go Along on Poultry Decision.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that Moscow intends to keep in place a ban on U.S. poultry imports despite Russia's move to eliminate the ban. Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov said he intends to maintain the bar on imports of U.S. poultry to the Russian capital even though the federal ministries in charge of food have canceled a nationwide one, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported. Russian officials were concerned about the use of additives in poultry that some researchers claimed caused obesity and other medical problems in people. The United States and poultry growers have said that's not the case. 

Agricultural Exports to Increase.  USDA says agricultural exports for fiscal year 2003 are forecast at $57.5 billion, a $4 billion increase over the expected $53.5 billion for fiscal 2002. Export sales at this level would be the highest since 1997, only $2.3 billion below the 1996 all-time record of $59.9 billion. The 7.5% increase in the forecast value for exports is a substantial gain over 2002 and is mainly due to higher prices for grains and oilseeds. Bulk commodity volume, however, is forecast to be down 4.6 million tons largely because of reduced soybean shipments coming off record export levels. For the major field crops - corn, rice and cotton - export volumes are expected to be higher. USDA also is forecasting modest increases in the value of livestock and poultry products of $500 million and a $300 million gain for horticulture. 

North Korea Won't Alleviate Food Shortages.  REUTERS reports that agriculture experts in South Korea do not believe North Korean moves toward market reforms will be enough to alleviate chronic food shortages. North Korea has been in the caught in a famine since the mid-1990s and relies on food and other aid from other countries. Debilitating shortages had forced North Korea to implement unprecedented rises in food prices and wages, South Korea's central bank said in a recent report. Experts in the South say that since July North Korea has allowed farmers to cultivate abandoned land privately, for instance lots near hills, up to a maximum size of 14,190 square feet. 

U.S. Spinach Yields Pesticide Residue.   KYODO NEWS reports Japan's farm ministry has reported pesticide residue 140% more than permitted in frozen spinach imported from the United States. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries inspectors detected between 2.9 and 4.9 parts per million (ppm) of permethrin from batches of the U.S.-grown frozen spinach at a quarantine office Aug. 13 and on Thursday. Ministry regulations do not allow the agrichemical substance to exceed 2.0 ppm in a vegetable product. The spinach came from a 28-ton lot, most of which will be disposed of except for a small amount that has already been shipped for consumption. The ministry said it has ordered the importer to recall the spinach already shipped. 

August 29

GAO Recommends USDA, Customs Cooperation.  A new report by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) recommends that USDA collaborate with the Customs Service to improve the flow of information about foreign foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks to inspectors at U.S. ports of entry. The report, "Foot and Mouth Disease: To Protect U.S. Livestock, USDA Must Remain Vigilant and Resolve Outstanding Issues," was requested by Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD). 

Research Shows Consumer Confidence in Beef Strong.  New figures from the research firm NPD Group show that consumer confidence in beef safety remains strong despite a flurry of publicity this summer about E. coli. According to information collected from 600 members of NPD's online panel between July 24 and July 29 - a period when news coverage of E. coli was very high following a large recall initiated in mid-July -- two-thirds of consumers said they intended to eat the same number of burgers during August 2002 as they ate a year earlier. 

Corn Growers Call for a Farmer Friendly EPA.  Iowa farmer Helen Inman testified in Washington on the need for consistent, farmer friendly, scientifically based insect resistance management (IRM) regulations with MON 863, the corn rootworm biotech event. Inman stressed farmers' commitment to preserving biotechnology for future generations of farmers, while at the same time producing abundant, healthy food and protecting the environment. 

Peanut Program 'Features' Announced.  Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman has announced several features of the new peanut program, as provided in the new farm law. The law makes "significant changes in the peanut program by replacing the peanut marketing system that was established over 60 years ago," said Veneman. "While many of the changes are complex, this is an important transition period as these changes are intended to make the program more market oriented and to help the industry become more competitive in local and international markets." The provisions announced include marketing program loan rates, the weekly national posted price and disposition of last year's crop still in storage. 

ConAgra Expects Meat Deal Next Month.  REUTERS reports ConAgra Foods Inc. expects a planned $1.4 billion deal to sell off more than half of its meat operations to a private investor group will close in September. Omaha-based ConAgra in May agreed to sell 54% of its fresh beef and pork business to a group of private equity investors led by Dallas-based Hicks Muse Tate & Furst Inc. ConAgra is receive about $800 million in cash and an equity interest valued at $150 million at closing. The joint venture will be called Swift & Co., and will owe ConAgra $150 million of subordinated debt, $30 million of secured debt and a line of credit worth roughly $250 million. 

U.S. Faces Climate Challenges in Court.  REUTERS reports the United States, considered the world's largest polluter responsible for global warming, faces court challenges to its climate policies. The government of tiny Pacific island state Tuvalu says it plans to launch lawsuits within a year against the United States and Australia. Both have rejected the Kyoto climate pact. The country, which is only 13 feet above sea level at its highest point, faces oblivion if the scientists' gloomy scenarios prove right and global warming causes the sea to rise. Tuvalu is blaming the polluters. Two environmental groups have launched a suit against U.S. government finance agencies for funding fossil fuel projects overseas. Although the legal threats are not of great significance yet, environmentalists say they could signal things to come as victims of rising sea levels and increased droughts and floods go after those they see as responsible -- the main polluters. 

Zimbabwe Court Cancels Some Evictions.  REUTERS reports the Zimbabwe High Court has canceled eviction orders against 54 white farmers. But the decision is not expected to have much of an impact on President Robert Mugabe's land seizure program. The ruling was the latest in a series of court rulings against Mugabe's efforts to seize at least 2,900 of Zimbabwe's 4,500 white-owned commercial farms and give them to landless blacks, including relatives and senior officials, with no compensation to white owners. Jeremy Callow, a lawyer for the 54 farmers, said Judge Benjamin Paradza had ruled that a farm that was mortgaged or bonded could not be acquired for resettlement unless the state had properly informed all interested parties, including financial institutions owed money by the farmer. About 300 farmers have been arrested for refusing to surrender their homes and lands to settlers designated by the government. One senior government official told REUTERS the High Court ruling would delay only by a couple of weeks the acquisition of the targeted farms. 

August 28

Feed Assistance Program Launched.  Sign-up for the $150 million feed assistance program to help cow-calf operators in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota begins today at Farm Service Agency offices in those four states. The program will be available through Dec. 31 or until the available funding is exhausted. 

Dairy Farmers Urge More DEIP Use.  Two dairy farmer organizations are urging USDA to maximize the use of an export tool that helps American dairy products compete in world markets - and provides better prices to U.S. farmers. The Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) offers government-funded bonuses to domestic companies that export products including nonfat dry milk, butter and cheese. 

Asia's Rice Harvest May Be Curtailed. REUTERS reports from Bangkok that Asia's rice harvest this year could be affected by bad weather. However, exports should be steady with India and Myanmar becoming major suppliers, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said. "The 2002 production outlook is still highly uncertain, especially as adverse weather conditions are being reported in several parts of the world, including faltering monsoon rains in India," the FAO said in a rice market report. China's recent flood problems probably won't affect production, which is expected to be higher than last year at 177.8 million tons, the FAO said. India's 2002 rice exports are expected to increase to 4.2 million tons, an increase of 600,000 tons from the previous FAO forecast and 2.2 million tons more than last year. 

GM Soybeans Found in Japan.  KYODO NEWS reports Japanese officials have found genetically modified soybeans in about 30% of 76 randomly selected tofu and ''natto'' soybean products sold under organic-food labels. Under Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) rules, products containing genetically modified materials, even in trace amounts, cannot carry organic labels. Officials said tests found genetically modified soybeans in 20 tofu bean curd products and five natto fermented soybean products. They were manufactured by 25 companies in 15 prefectures. The discovery follows a series of fraudulent labeling cases in Japan, including foreign beef sold as domestic. 

Big Business Blamed for Continuing Poverty.  REUTERS reports that activists accused big business Tuesday of diverting the Earth Summit from trying to halve the world's poverty at the expense of the environment. "The resources of Mother Earth are being sold off," said Anuradha Mittal of Indian group Food First on the second day of the 10-day talks in Johannesburg. The World Development Movement, a British-based anti-poverty group, accused rich nations of "kowtowing to the powerful corporate lobbies." Among activists' complaints Tuesday were limited access to the summit venue, porotected by armed police. The main business lobby, representing about 200 corporations, rejected charges that businesses would get better deals than those on environmental protection. 

August 27

Harkin Says USDA Study Positive for RFS. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) has released a USDA report that indicates the farm economy will benefit greatly from the national renewable fuel standard (RFS) established in the Senate energy bill. The study, commissioned by Harkin, shows the RFS will increase farm incomes by $700 million, decrease the trade deficit by $4.45 billion and provide 13,500 new jobs all by 2011. 

Leadership Conference Draws Corn, Soybean Growers. Developing leadership skills brought nearly 40 corn and soybean growers together last week in Greensboro, NC. Members of the National Corn Growers Association and the American Soybean Association were put through their paces sharpening their leadership skills at the Syngenta Crop Protection Leadership Development Program. 

Japan's Food Agency Will End. KYODO NEWS reports that Japan's Food Agency will end its 54-year existence in the current fiscal year. The agency's history includes implementing Japan's postwar rice policy. The plan to disband the agency was announced during the farm ministry's staffing schedule for the next fiscal year beginning in April; in that schedule, the agency was assigned no personnel. However, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries plans to create a new division that will deal with consumer food policy and risk management, ministry officials said. The agency was created in 1948 and was instrumental in ensuring the stable supply of rice -- the staple food in Japan, from the producer to the consumer. 

Earth Summit Debates Production Increases.  REUTERS reports the Earth Summit in Johannesburg discussed how best to increase farm productivity so that a goal of halving poverty and hunger by 2015 can be achieved. A major goal of the summit is to find ways to increase farm production and not damaging the environment. The World Summit on Sustainable Development is meeting from Aug. 24-Sept. 4. Other priority areas are health, water, energy and biodiversity. 

California Farmers Offered Money for Water.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that San Diego officials are offering another $165 million to farmers in California's Imperial Valley if they take some of their land out of production to allow irrigation water to be shipped to the city. The water would replace Colorado River water that California is will lose under a multi-state agreement. Officials met in Sacramento with state Resources Secretary Mary Nichols, trying to beat both the end of the legislative session this week, and a year-end deadline for California's plan to reduce its excessive use of the Colorado River. The San Diego authority said its offer meets Imperial Valley farmers' requirements with a several guarantees including one that farmers will not have to idle permanently land to save irrigation water. 

Drought Aid Sought by Farmers.  REUTERS reports from Goodland, KS, that more than 300 people urged lawmakers to appropriate emergency funds to help farmers and ranchers survive this year's devastating drought. The farmers spent more than two hours telling how crops and herds of livestock had been decimated by drought that is considered by some to be the worst recorded in U.S. history. "We need help," said farmer and rancher Ralph Unger. "I think this is a disaster. The same as a wildfire, a hurricane, flood or an F5 tornado." Unger said he had to sell 60% of his cattle because fields typically used to feed the animals have turned to dust. Ross Davidson, administrator for USDA's Risk Management Agency in Washington, addressed the forum, expressing sympathy for the farmers' plight and assuring them that Congress will consider the issue in September when it reconvenes. 

UN Predicts Increase in Meat Consumption.  REUTERS reports from Rome that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization believes worldwide meat consumption will increase by 2% a year through 2015 as population and incomes rise and more people move to cities. But the FAO also warned that increased trade and transport also increases the risks of the spread of animal diseases across borders. Since the early 1980s, global meat production, consumption and trade have expanded considerably, particularly poultry and pig meat, driven by population growth, rising incomes, urbanization, changing diets and opening up of markets, FAO said. "These trends are set to continue with global meat consumption estimated to increase annually by two percent through 2015," FAO said in a document circulated at an inter-governmental meeting on meat and dairy products this week. 

August 26

U.S., Russia Resolve Poultry Dispute.  Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman, Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans and U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick have announced that the long-running poultry trade dispute between the United States and Russia has been resolved. Both sides have agreed to a new veterinary certificate that will allow for the continuation of U.S. poultry exports to Russia. 

FSU Moves into New Markets.  Without the European Union as a major market in 2002-03, the former Soviet Union is grabbing market share in North Africa and the Middle East from other, more traditional exporters. While production in the FSU is forecast down 9 million tons from last year's exceptionally high level, it is still more than 20 million tons higher than the average of the 1998 though 2000 crops. 

AMI Calls for Vertical Integration in Meat Industry.  Meat packers should be permitted to use the same types of vertical integration and strategic alliances as other American industries, the American Meat Institute told a congressional field hearing in South Dakota. The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee convened the hearing to discuss the structure of the meat industry and a ban on packer ownership of livestock, advocated by some lawmakers. 

USDA Makes Funds Available for Organic Certification.  USDA says $1 million in federal funds is available to defray the cost of organic certification in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The Agricultural Management Assistance Program, authorized by the Federal Crop Insurance Act, will allocate funds to the 15 states in proportion to the number of organic producers in each state. The states, in turn, will reimburse each eligible producer for up to 75% of its organic certification costs, not to exceed $500. Each state is allowed to retain 4% of the total amount granted as an administration fee. In order to be eligible for reimbursement, an organic production operation must be located within one of the designated states, meet the USDA national organic standards for organic production, and have been certified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent between Nov. 1, 2002 and Sept. 30, 2003. Applications by states for federal assistance and cooperative agreements must be requested from and submitted to: Robert Pooler, Marketing Specialist, National Organic Program, USDA Stop 0268, Room 4008-S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC 20250-0264; tel. (202) 720-3252; fax (202) 205-7808; e-mail bob.pooler@usda.gov. All producers selling more than $5,000 of organic agricultural products annually must be certified by Oct. 21 in order to sell, label, or represent their agricultural products as organic Additional information may be found at the National Organic Program's homepage: www.ams.usda.gov/nop

Zambia Rejects GM Food.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports Zambia doesn't want the United Nations to distribute genetically modified food. Zambia says it would procure enough other grain to feed its starving people. Aid agencies estimate that almost 2.5 million Zambians may starve if they do not receive urgent aid. "We have the situation under control," Zambian Agriculture Minister Mundia Sikatana said Saturday. "We don't need to engage the biotechnology at this stage. We are assisting (hungry people) with help from well-wishers and are overwhelmed by the response." Zambia has refused to accept donations of genetically modified food and has said the food may be a health risk. 

British Denounce Zimbabwe's Leaders.  REUTERS reports British Foreign Minister Jack Straw says Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's land reform policies are reducing his people to starvation. Straw wrote an article published in The Observer newspaper and said criticism of Mugabe should not dominate the environment summit in Johannesburg next week. The British government has been pushed to take more action against Mugabe, who has been fiercely criticized in the West for driving white farmers off their land and staging an election Western countries said was rigged. Straw described Zimbabwe as "a self-made pariah, not a colonial victim." 

August 23

Dairy Program Criticized by Producers.  The terms of the new dairy payment program which began last week will penalize dairy farmers to the cost of approximately $48 million in FY02, with most of the penalty falling on medium-sized farms, according to the National Milk Producers Federation. NMPF has asked USDA to rethink the restrictions it is placing on payments for the current fiscal year before the implementing regulations are made final. 

Biotechnology Promise Should Be Kept.  The AgBioWorld Foundation is urging representatives to next week's World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, to live up to a 10-year-old commitment to facilitate the introduction of advanced biotechnologies into less developed nations. "At the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, negotiators committed to using biotechnology to advance sustainable development goals," said AgBioWorld president C.S. Prakash, a professor of plant genetics at Tuskegee University. "But for the past ten years, most industrialized nations have been actively preventing this from becoming a reality." 

Resource Guide on Food Safety Issued.  With millions of children going back to school over the next several weeks, USDA unveiled a resource guide for school food service professionals on how to respond to food recalls. The text is the latest in a series of technical assistance materials gathered to assist school food service professionals. The publication, available free to all school food authorities, contains food recall reference guides, leader guides and brochures. 

Beef Checkoff Targets Consumers.  Striving to move beef supplies during challenging market conditions, the beef industry this summer is focusing its $1-per-head beef checkoff on programs designed to capture consumer attention and increase market channel support for beef. 

Another Ethanol Record.  The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today announced the U.S. ethanol industry set a monthly production record for July of 128,000 barrels per day (b/d), according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). July's record was 14 percent higher than the previous July record of 112,000 b/d set in 2001. The ethanol industry is expected to produce an annual record of more than 2 billion gallons in 2002. Currently, 66 existing plants can produce more than 2.55 billion gallons per year. Eleven plants are under construction. 

No Deadline for Issuing Checks to Black Farmers.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that USDA says it will pay black farmers who were denied loans because of race but would not set a deadline for issuing checks. Black farmers and their supporters brought goats and other props for a demonstration in front of the USDA headquarters Thursday. They demanded that claims be settled that should have been paid immediately after a settlement was reached in 1999. Assistant Agriculture Secretary Lou Gallegos said not all the cases qualify for payments and that the claims are being reviewed by the Justice Department and a private contractor. 

EU Provides Relief to German Farmers.  REUTERS reports the European Union will allow German farmers to get hundreds of millions of euros in advanced aid to compensate for rain and flood damage. The decision, by the EU's weekly grain management committee, must be approved by the European Commission. It will allow Germany to distribute some 516 million euros in direct payments to arable farmers, due for the next 2002-03 financial year, ahead of time. The EU also is considering a wider package of measures to help Germany recover from the devastating floods. 

August 22

NRC Worries About Biotechnology Cross-Overs.  The possibility of certain genetically engineered fish and other animals escaping and potentially introducing engineered genes into wild populations tops the list of concerns associated with advances in animal biotechnology, says a new report from the National Academies' National Research Council. On the other hand, no evidence yet exists that products from cloned livestock are unsafe for human consumption, although the committee that wrote the report found it difficult to identify concerns without additional information about food composition, which could be collected using available analytical tests. 

Manure Management on Minds in Michigan.  The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program hosted a tour earlier this week designed to study manure management on dairy farms. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Livestock Information and Programs Manager Tracy Snider was part of the 2002 "manure tour," held at the Nobis Dairy Farm in St. Johns, MI. 

Five Mad Cow Cases for Japan.  KYODO NEWS reports a fifth case of mad cow disease has been found in Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan. It was found during an inspection of slaughtered cattle. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will call a meeting of experts to confirm the diagnosis and make sure that meat and organs from the slaughtered cow will not be put on the market. Once confirmed, the cow will be incinerated. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries also will conduct investigations to see if there are any common features among the five cows such as feed. 

Indonesia Proposes to Increase Rice Duties. REUTERS reports that Indonesia's agriculture ministry plans to propose an increase in rice import duties. The increase will almost double the current level. The action is designed to help protect local farmers from cheaper imports. The proposal must be approved by Indonesia's finance minister for the duty to be raised to 750 rupiah ($0.852)/kg from 430 rupiah/kg. "We think a suitable import duty should be 750 rupiah per kilogram. With such a duty, the price of imported rice and local rice would be at the same level," Iskandar Andi Nuhung, head of the ministry's tariff team, told reporters. 

Fresh Water on Earth Summit Agenda.  REUTERS reports from Johannesburg that African nations' water ministers will discuss European Union proposals next week to reduce the number of people in Africa who do not have fresh water. Water will be a major issue at the 10-day Earth Summit which starts in Johannesburg on Monday. World leaders will attempt to chart a way to meet the United Nation's goal of halving the proportion of people in the world who have no access to clean water by 2015 and work on ways to reduce the number of people who have no sanitation. "African water ministers will discuss European Union proposals on meeting the Millennium Development Goals regarding water for Africa on Aug. 28 and 29," Mike Muller, director general of South Africa's Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, told reporters. 

Harsher Disciplines Imposed in Meat Scandal.  KYODO NEWS reports Japan's farm ministry wants Nippon Meat Packers Inc. to impose harsher disciplinary measures on Chairman Yoshinori Okoso. The firm says Okoso will give up the chairmanship to assume the newly created post of honorary chairman. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries concluded that that decision is too lenient in view of the seriousness of the beef labeling fraud committed by the company. ''The disciplinary measure announced by the company the previous day would not get public understanding as it fell short of addressing the management's responsibility for the fraud,'' a ministry official said. 

August 21

More than $700 Million for Rural Areas.  Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman says $703 million will go for economic development projects to strengthen rural communities throughout the United States. The 377 projects being announced in 47 states and Puerto Rico will build and upgrade water and waste disposal facilities and provide clean drinking water to improve the quality of life for thousands of residents and businesses in rural communities. 

East Europe Storm Has Agriculture Effect.  That giant storm system that moved across Eastern Europe earlier this month is more commonly experienced in winter, says USDA. But this one intensified over the Mediterranean Sea before it moved over continental Europe. It spread rain on the long-parched eastern European landscape, which has already seen cereal production drop from early summer precipitation deficits. 

USMEF Uses Popular Japanese Celebrity to Promote Beef.  For months, Japanese consumers have been hearing about American beef directly from some of the women who work in the U.S. industry. But now the U.S. Meat Export Federation "Aisareru beef," or desire beef, message will be carried "woman-to-woman" through the words and recipes of Yu Hayami, a Japanese celebrity wife and mother. 

Ultrasound May Help Manure Odor.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports researchers may have found ultrasound is an effective way to reduce the stench from hog manure. David Soll, a biological sciences professor at the University of Iowa, is trying to patent ultrasound technology to reduce by half the buildup of hydrogen sulfide, a key odor-producing ingredient in hog manure. Scientists, hog farmers and pork industry officials say the technology could be an inexpensive, environmentally safe approach to deal with a major complaint against factory hog farms in the nation's top pork-producing state. They say the technology also may be effective in treating waste from dairy and beef cattle and poultry operations. 

China GM Rules Not to Hurt Trade. REUTERS reports that U.S. exporters believe soybean sales to China are a sure thing after Beijing gave assurances that rules on importing genetically modified products would not disrupt trade. China, the world's largest soybean importer, bought about $1 billion worth from the United States last year. Washington hopes that problems surrounding China's biotech regulations will be cleared up by the time new crop beans are harvested in September. About 70% of U.S. soybeans are grown from GM seeds. "We are optimistic about our sales to China following the assurances but they may be using the GM issue as a trade barrier from time to time," Donald Nickel, vice-chairman of United Soybean Board's international marketing committee, said. 

Drought May Mean Higher Retail Prices.  REUTERS reports that the drought in the Midwest may mean higher retail food prices this fall. That would happen if higher commodity costs squeeze profit margins and force food companies to increase the price of their goods, analysts said. USDA sees corn production at a seven-year low, soybean production at a six-year low and wheat output at a 20-year low. That could mean 1-3% higher prices in grocery stores on everything from meats to cereal and soda, as companies try to offset the impact of higher raw material costs, analysts speculate. 

Hogs Being Rushed to Market.  REUTERS reports that hog producers are bringing hogs to market, even breeding stock, in an effort to shrink herds and minimize losses as higher feed costs and lower hog prices are being forecast. "I think there is liquidation going on," said Jack Salzsieder, a livestock analyst with Iowa-based Broker Professionals, who said producers are selling young female pigs that would normally be held back for breeding. The rush to sell hogs has pressured cash hog prices, and analysts predict prices will decline even more in the fourth quarter when hog supplies are at their year's high. 

August 20

Safeguard Action on Japan Beef Imports Unlikely.  Given Japan's methodology for imposing beef safeguards and the reduction in Japanese beef imports since late in 2001, any safeguard action on beef imports appears extremely unlikely in the near term, says a new USDA report. However, those same factors point toward Japan having to evaluate the appropriateness of imposing a beef safeguard by mid-2003 as Japan's beef imports move back to traditional levels. 

Canadians Upset Over Farm Law Labeling Provision.  A provision of the new farm law struck a raw nerve in Canada. It is the requirement that USDA implement a voluntary country of origin labeling program beginning Sept. 30, for meat, fish, fruits, vegetables and peanuts. Mandatory labeling at the retail level would follow in September 2004. The law does not apply to food service establishments. 

World Far From Achieving Hunger Goal.  REUTERS reports from Rome that the United Nations believes the goal of halving global hunger by 2015 probably can't be achieved even by 2030. Still, increasing food production will continue to exceed population growth. More of the world's poorest will eat better in coming years, too. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said, "The number of hungry people in developing countries is expected to decline from 777 million today to about 440 million in 2030. This means that the target of the World Food Summit in 1996, to reduce the number of hungry by half from its level in 1990-92 (815 million), will not even be met by 2030." World leaders gathered in Rome in June to renew their commitment to the 1996 pledge, but hardly any major power leaders showed up and critics accused industrialized nations of showing indifference to the scourge of hunger. 

Canadians Restrict U.S. Potato Imports.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports the Canadian government will restrict U.S. potato imports in an effort to prevent a virus from spreading. The virus was found in samples from Maine and eight other states. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency also will restrict the import of other potatoes to protect against the mop-top virus. The Canadian agency said it has discovered mop-top virus in samples of potatoes imported from California, Florida, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia and Washington. "We're not talking about shutting down the borders. These are interim measures," agency spokesman Francois Mercure said. 

Kyrgyzstan Harvest Increases.  REUTERS reports that the former Soviet republic Kyrgyzstan has harvested 1.05 million tons of grain by bunker weight as of Aug. 16. That's an increase from the 990,000 tons harvested by the same date last year, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday. A ministry statement said 50.2% of the 687,300 hectares planted had been harvested by that date. The average yield was 3.05 tons per hectare, up from 2.77 in 2001. Kyrgyzstan harvested 1.98 million tons of grain by bunker weight in 2001, equivalent to 1.8 million by clean weight. Agriculture Minister Alexander Kostyuk told a news briefing on Tuesday that the total harvest should reach the same level this year. But total wheat from that total should increase to 1.26 million tons from 1.19 million in 2001. 

Zimbabwean Farmers Charged.  REUTERS reports 38 white farmers in Zimbabwe have been charged with defying a government directive to give their farms to landless blacks. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's government has told 2,900 of the country's remaining 4,500 white commercial farmers they have to leave their land without compensation. However, nearly two-thirds have defied the Aug. 8 deadline. Police arrested nearly 200 farmers since Friday and vowed Monday to pick up more farmers resisting the government's fast-track land resettlement scheme. Jean Baldwin, 72, was given until Sept. 19 to vacate her property. She says her husband is terminally ill and the family needs time to arrange leaving their land. 

Nippon Founder May Be on Way Out.  KYODO NEWS reports that Nippon Meat Packers Inc.'s founder and chairman, Yoshinori Okoso, likely will resign as part of a punishment of those involved in the beef-labeling scandal at a Nippon subsidiary. Although Okoso was not involved directly in the fraud, his resignation appears to be unavoidable; the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry is putting on the pressure to make the firm's management take responsibility for the deception. Okoso, 87, founded the company in 1942, and it grew to be Japan's largest ham and sausage maker. 

August 19

Wheat Farmers Want Loan Rates.  As winter wheat producers begin to make planting decisions, a critical piece of information is the 2003 loan rates. This is particularly important because the wheat loan rate is no longer an all class rate but class specific. 

Corn Growers, Refiners Applaud HFCS Action.  The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the Corn Refiners Association, Inc. (CRA) have expressed their support of the efforts of senators to encourage U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert B. Zoellick to seek a negotiated solution to the ongoing sweetener dispute between Mexico and the United States. 

AMS Deputy Speaks at AMI Convention.  USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Deputy Administrator Barry L. Carpenter will lead a session on country of origin labeling requirements during the American Meat Institute's (AMI) Annual Convention and Innovation Showcase in New Orleans Oct. 24 - 26. The session, titled "Debate in Progress: Country of Origin Labeling Requirements," is scheduled for 8:30-9:45 a.m. Saturday Oct. 26. 

Web Site for Retiring Farmers Created.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS says three Purdue University researchers want to make it easier for farmers seeking to retire. Many don't know when or how to stop farming, they say. Farmers typically work longer than people in other professions and step away only as age demands it. "They would probably say, 'I can't afford to retire," said Sharon DeVaney, a Purdue associate professor of consumer and family sciences. "The idea of the Web site is to get them thinking about how they can retire." DeVaney and two colleagues developed the "Retirement Estimator for Farm Families," which focuses on the step-by-step way that many farmers wind down their working lives. 

Australian Dairy Farmers Get Break.  THE AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION reports the Western Australian Government has made it easier for dairy farmers to gain more negotiating power with processors. An Australian Competition Tribunal decision upholds an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ruling. A major national processor had appealed against the ruling. WA Agriculture Minister Kim Chance says the decision is a significant win for the state's dairy farmers. "It means that dairy farmers have the ability to have some countervailing power in the marketplace which recognizes the fact that they are at a disadvantage in terms of dealing with the monopolistic situation that they have to face in terms of the processes and the control of supermarkets have over the retail sector," he said. 

U.S. Food Arrives in Havana.  REUTERS reports U.S. food that will wind up in Cuban supermarkets arrived Sunday in Havana. It's the first shipment of U.S. brand-name food sold directly to Cubas since Washington imposed an embargo over 40 years ago. Cuba has purchased 600,000 tons of U.S. grains, poultry and other foods since November in the aftermath of a U.S. law passed in 2000 that relaxed the four-decade-old U.S. embargo to allow agriculture-related sales for cash. Sunday's shipment included branded butter, margarine, breakfast cereals and tomato sauce, part of a $750,000 sale by Marsh International, a subsidiary of Marsh Supermarkets Inc. of Indiana. It's the first American brand-name food to Cuba since 1961. "Cuba is a viable market with lots of potential and we want to be here," Mohamed Bouras, Marsh director of international sales, said at the Port of Havana, where the food was unloaded. 

Zimbabwean Farmers Arrested.  REUTERS reports Zimbabwean police have arrested at least 141 white farmers on allegations they defied orders to leave their land. The land is to be redistributed to landless blacks. President Robert Mugabe's government has ordered 2,900 of the country's remaining 4,500 white commercial farmers to get off their land without compensation; nearly two thirds defied an Aug. 8 deadline. The disruption to agriculture in Zimbabwe, once the bread-basket of southern Africa, comes as millions in the region face food shortages. 

France Protests Saudi Poultry Ban.  The American Meat Institute, quoting a Saudi Arabian press account, says France is protesting a Saudi Arabian ban on imports of European poultry. The French government protested in a letter to the Saudi Commerce Minister. The letter urges the Saudi government to reconsider the ban which was imposed following reports that European chickens had become contaminated with artificial hormones. French officials asked the Saudis to exempt French poultry from the ban. 

August 16

Nutrient Database Updated.  USDA has launched an updated version of the "Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 15" that reports nutrients in 6,220 food items. The database, known as SR15, is the major authoritative source of food composition in the United States. 

New Zealand's Election Weakens Greens.  New Zealand's election results show the "Greens" now will not be in a position to bring down a new government over the issue of releasing genetically modified organisms. The Greens had promised to bring any government down if that government intended to lift the moratorium on GMOs that runs through October 2003. 

Zimbabwean Police Charge White Farmers.  REUTERS reports police in Zimbabwe have told six white farmers to appear in court today (Friday) to answer charges they defied a government order to leave their farms. Justice for Agriculture, a farmers' group, said the six were believed to be the first charged for defying Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's Aug. 8 deadline to hand over their farms to landless blacks. Farm officials say nearly 60% of the 2,900 white farmers targeted for eviction are defying the government order. 

Japan Moves to Probe Fraud Cases. KYODO NEWS reports the agricultural ministry is creating a panel to investigate fraud cases involving a state-run beef buyback program. Farm minister Tsutomu Takebe said the panel, which will include third-party members, will also study how industry associations should operate. After mad cow disease broke out in Japan last September, the government introduced the beef buyback program to help the cattle industry. The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry will establish the panel to find loopholes in the program that have led to abuse by Snow Brand Foods Co., Nippon Shokuin Co. and a subsidiary of Nippon Meat Packers Inc. 

Milk Order Hearing Changed.  USDA has issued a supplement to the notice of public hearing issued on July 26 to be held to consider changes to the Northeast Federal milk marketing order. An additional proposal, which seeks to amend the unit pooling provision by specifying that a secondary unit-pooled plant must be located within the marketing area and process at least 60% of total producer milk receipts as Class I or Class II products, will be considered at the hearing, in addition to those previously announced. The hearing will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 10 at the Embassy Suites Hotel Alexandria, 1900 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, VA 22314. For additional information regarding the hearing contact: Erik F. Rasmussen, Northeast Market Administrator; USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs; P. O. Box 1478 (Fort Point Station)Boston, MA 02205-1478; Tel. (617) 542-1478; e-mail: maboston@fedmilk1.com. The supplemental notice of hearing was published in today's Federal Register. 

Australia Wheat Remains Dry. Dry conditions in eastern Australia have reduced production potential of the 2002-03 wheat crop, according to USDA. Production is forecast down due to continued dryness in Queensland (QLD), New South Wales (NSW), and Western Australia (WA), which has negatively affected both area and yield. Area is forecast lower this season, a result of a lack of adequate rainfall at planting, and later for crop establishment. Significant area reductions are anticipated in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Wheat area in the southern growing states of Victoria (VIC) and South Australia (SA) is expected to be similar to last season, in response to favorable conditions, a later planting window, and improved price expectations. Wheat areas of WA, NSW, and QLD received only 40-60% of normal precipitation for the period May 1 to July 31, causing very dry conditions. Additional rainfall is needed by September to avoid further yield loss. 

Virginia Bird Flu Waning.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports Virginia's worst outbreak of avian influenza appears to be on the wane, prompting federal officials to reduce a task force's activities geared to counter the outbreak. Since early July, blood tests on Virginia poultry have all been negative. In North Carolina and West Virginia, where a small number of flocks tested positive during Virginia's epidemic, no new cases have been reported in more than two months. Nearly 5 million birds from 197 Virginia farms were destroyed after the first cases appeared in mid-March in the Shenandoah Valley, in the northwestern part of the state. According to estimates, the outbreak cost farmers more than $140 million. 

August 15

Argentina Skyrockets, Brazil Goes Hunting.  Brazil is searching global markets for wheat imports. Prices are skyrocketing in its traditional supplier Argentina, and that is creating an opportunity for the United States, Canada, and many non-traditional suppliers to increase sales to the market. Brazil has followed a self-sufficiency policy for wheat but with only limited success and at considerable cost. 

E. Coli Notice Issued by FSIS. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a draft notice that seeks to address issues on maintaining the safety of food from the E. coli bacteria. The notice is titled "FSIS Actions Concerning Suppliers that May Be Associated With Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 Positive Raw Ground Beef Product" and is available on the FSIS web site and open for comment. 

Wheat Hears a Loud and Clear GM Message.  At its summer board meeting, the U.S. Wheat Associates Board of Directors was told there's no room in Europe for genetically modified wheat. USWA says the message came from "some of the most important millers in Europe and America." 

Japan May File on Meat Firm. REUTERS reports Japan's Agriculture Ministry is considering filing criminal charges over beef mislabeling against an executive at a meat processing firm and three colleagues at a subsidiary. Nippon Meat Packers Inc., also known as Nippon Ham, Japan's largest sausage maker, has said its subsidiary Nippon Food mixed imported beef with domestic beef and labeled it as a domestic product when applying for funds from a government compensation plan. "We are considering filing criminal charges against a senior managing director at Nippon Meat," an Agriculture Ministry official said. "We are also considering filing charges against three branch managers at Nippon Food." 

California Farm Workers March.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports California farm workers will march 150 miles to the state capitol in Sacramento to urge Gov. Gray Davis to sign a bill that splits union rights and agricultural interests. The bill makes it easier for workers to negotiate union contracts with growers. But growers are mounting a letter-writing campaign claiming the measure is bad for agriculture. Workers are to march today from Merced in central California to Sacramento, arriving Sunday for a rally at the capitol. The bill would require the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board to order mediation and, if that doesn't work, binding arbitration when growers and workers reach an impasse in contract negotiations. 

Drought Now Covers About Half the Country.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that nearly half the United States is experiencing persistent and worsening drought. At the end of July, 49% of the 48 contiguous states were affected by moderate to extreme drought, according to the National Climatic Data Center. Extreme drought stretched from the Southwest to Montana and Nebraska and from Georgia to Virginia, the center reported. Below normal rainfall occurred in 27 states last month; New York had its second driest July on record, and it was the third driest July in New Hampshire and Colorado, the center said. 

August 14

Canada Gives U.S. Poultry Industry a New Headache.  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recognized the poultry meat inspection system of Brazil. Currently, Canada imports virtually all of its chicken from the United States. Brazil is a major exporter of poultry meat and one of the most competitive producers of poultry meat in the world. 

Corn, Sugar Producers Talk HFCS.  National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Board member Bill Horan and Vice President of Public Policy Jon Doggett represented the nation's corn growers at the American Sugar Alliance's (ASA) 19th Annual International Sweetener Symposium last week where they discussed the effects of the high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) tax on corn growers. 

GPS Used to Track Cattle.  Global Positioning Systems (GPS)--technology used in automobiles to obtain directions and in golf carts to measure distance--are being used to track cattle. Previously, the only way to see where cattle roamed was to have people watch them, which can be expensive. Researchers want to know why cattle travel where they do. 

House Livestock Hearings Coming.  House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-TX) has asked state and national producer groups, agricultural economists, national farm groups, packers and the Secretary of Agriculture to respond to specific questions for hearings on the current state of livestock markets. Combest's letter encourages respondents to provide detailed answers to the questions that examine the structure, health and fairness of the nation's livestock markets. 

South May Offer Rice to North.  REUTERS reports that South Korea may move ahead and even increase an offer of 300,000 tons of rice on credit to North Korea. The offer had been withdrawn in late June after a naval clash between the two states and came as the two Koreas held their highest level meetings in four months in Seoul. Agriculture Minister Kim Dong-tae told reporters his ministry had suggested to the Unification Ministry, which handles relations with North Korea, that it was beneficial to send more than 300,000 tons of rice to North Korea. Supplying rice to the North would help reduce swelling stockpiles, Kim added. 

GM Corn Planted too Close to Other Crops. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports two companies growing genetically modified corn on experimental plots in Hawaii failed to properly protect other crops. Pioneer Hi-Bred International was accused by the Environmental Protection Agency of planting genetically modified corn too close to other crops and at an unapproved location. Mycogen Seeds, a unit of Dow AgroSciences LLC, is accused by EPA of not planting trees around an experimental plot to create a windbreak that could inhibit pollen spread. The EPA also says the company planted the wrong kind of unmodified corn as a buffer zone around the experimental crop. 

Zimbabwe Farmers Facing More Pressure.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports from Harare, Zimbabwe, that party militants and local officials are putting pressure on some of the hundreds of farmers who are refusing a government order to leave their land. Farmers' leaders say five farmers in southeastern Zimbabwe left their land early Tuesday after local officials, armed police and soldiers warned them they were violating the eviction laws. Justice for Agriculture said militants threatened violence if farmers did not abandon their properties. A deadline for nearly 3,000 white farmers to leave their land expired last week; it was part of the government's often violent program to redistribute white-owned farms to blacks. But the government has not tried to enforce the eviction order. On Monday, a black settler on one farm in the Banket tobacco and corn district fired a pistol in the air in an effort to drive the owner and his black workers away, said Jenni Williams, a Justice for Agriculture spokeswoman. 

Monsanto 'Eager' for Autonomy.  REUTERS reports Monsanto officials say they are "eager" to be separated from Pharmacia Corp. Pharmacia was to spin off Monsanto at the close of business Tuesday. "Today marks an important milestone, affirming Monsanto's place as a company solely dedicated to agriculture," said Monsanto President and Chief Executive Officer Hendrik Verfaillie. He said Monsanto's will remain committed to genomics and biotech advancements for agriculture. Verfaillie said in an interview with REUTERS, "For our people, it is very motivational to be a totally, stand-alone company." Pharmacia is to divest itself of its 84% stake in Monsanto through a special dividend to its shareholders. About 220 million shares of Monsanto will be distributed to the Pharmacia shareholders through a formula that provides for each Pharmacia shareholder to receive 0.170593 share of Monsanto common stock for each share of Pharmacia common stock held as of the end of business July 29. At that time, Pharmacia had 1,289,621,815 shares of common stock outstanding.

August 13

Program Sign-Up Announced by USDA.  Sign-up begins Oct. 1 for the direct and counter-cyclical program for crop years 2002 and 2003. USDA will begin making payments to farmers soon after that. The 2002 farm law provides for payments to be made to eligible producers of covered commodities and peanuts for the 2002 through 2007 crop years. 

Supplemental Feed Made Available.  Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman has announced that $150 million in supplemental feed is being made available to farmers and ranchers operating cow-calf operations in areas most severely stricken by drought. She also reiterated that the Bush Administration would support emergency assistance for drought-stricken producers and pledged to work with the Congress upon return from recess to complete legislation. 

Funds Transferred to Direct Operating Loans.  A total of $98.2 million will be transferred from USDA's guaranteed operating loan program to its direct operating loan program to help meet the needs of farmers and ranchers. The funding transfer will particularly help minority and small farmers, who receive direct operating loans through USDA programs. 

Hearing Date Set for Beef Checkoff Case.  Judge Richard Cebull of the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana will hear arguments Sept. 23 in a case focusing on the constitutionality of the beef checkoff program. The hearing will take place in the second Federal District Court, according to an order issued Aug. 6. 

Half in Zimbabwe Face Hunger.  REUTERS reports that more than half the population of Zimbabwe faces hunger. President Robert Mugabe is insisting white farmers get off their land before the planting season, the United Nations said on Tuesday. More than six million people will need food aid in Zimbabwe. "At least half of the people in Zimbabwe will need some sort of food assistance," said Judith Lewis, the U.N. World Food Program's (WFP) director for east and southern Africa. "Cases of malnutrition are increasing," Lewis told REUTERS. Many people are eating roots and leaves, Lewis said. 

Thailand, Others Hold Rice Talks.  REUTERS reports Thailand, the world's top rice exporter, will seek to control rice prices by holding talks with Vietnam, India and Pakistan next month. The four countries account for more than half the world's rice exports. "The Commerce Minister Adisai Bodharamik told the cabinet in its meeting today that Vietnam, India and Pakistan have agreed to hold rice talks with Thailand in September," government spokesman Yongyuth Tiyapairat told reporters. "The objective of the talks is to outline a form of rice cooperation, which would be similar as the recently established rubber cooperation," Yongyuth said. He gave no further details. 

Glacial Lakes Ethanol Plant Completed. The Glacial Lakes Energy LLC has held a grand opening for a new ethanol plant, completed two months ahead of schedule. Glacial Lakes Energy is located on roughly 43 acres near Watertown, SD. The plant will convert more than 13.5 million bushels of corn into approximately 40 million gallons of ethanol and 128,000 tons of distillers dried grains annually and employ 34 full time workers. There are currently 66 ethanol plants operating in the United States and 11 plants under construction. 

Crop Outlook Lowers Production.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports USDA has reduced grain and soybean production expectations because of widespread drought. The conditions could increase food prices. The projections were reduced corn production by 7% from last year to nearly 8.89 billion bushels for harvest this year. If the forecast is realized, it would be lowest production since 1995. Soybean production is expected to total 2.63 billion bushels, 9% fewer than last year. Forecasts for all wheat production also were lowered, by 14% from last year's crop to 1.69 billion bushels. 

August 12

EU, Brazil Agree on Textile Trade.  The European Commission and Brazil have finalized a memorandum of understanding which significantly improves access for textile products to each other's markets. The memorandum gives Brazil better access to the European Union by removing the quotas on Brazil's textiles and clothing exports to the EU. In return, Brazil will respect maximum tariff levels and refrain from applying any non-tariff barriers to EU textile and clothing exports. 

Montana Lab Complex Expands.  One of the largest research facilities in the world has broken ground to expand its main laboratory complex. The Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, covers 55,000 acres of native rangeland, planted dryland, irrigated pasture and irrigated cropland near Miles City, MT. 

Indonesia Sees 900,000 Ton Rice Imports. REUTERS reports that India may import about 900,000 tons of rice in 2003. The imports are to make sure the domestic market has sufficient supplies. Indonesia's state logistics agency Bulog's head Widjanarko Puspojo also said the agency should import 1.1 million tons this year. About half of that already is in Indonesia, which is one of the world's biggest rice importers. "Imports next year may be around 900,000 tons...like this year, they may come from Vietnam, Thailand and China," Puspojo told reporters. "We are also in talks with Cambodia to buy 50,000 tons," he added. The agency bought 200,000 tons of Thai 15 percent broken rice in exchange for Indonesian train wagons, an airplane and ammonia under a counter-trade deal signed in June. 

FSIS Issues Notices.  USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a draft notice "Sampling of Poultry Carcasses Cut Up Prior to Chilling" for public review. The purpose of the notice is to provide guidance to FSIS inspection program personnel and to respond to questions about microbiological sampling of cut-up poultry carcasses, zero fecal tolerance and Finished Product Standards (FPS) verification checks. Access the draft notice at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/DraftIssuances/Carcasses.pdf. Also FSIS issued a notice "HACCP Verification Procedures and The 30-Day Reassessment Letter" to clarify how inspection program personnel should respond when they find evidence of a deviation from a critical limit or a HACCP noncompliance while performing an 01 or 02 HACCP verification procedure. The notice also clarifies issues regarding when inspection program personnel should issue 30-day reassessment letters. The notice can be accessed at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/fsispubs.htm. 

Cotton Conferences January in Nashville. "In Harmony - Research, Resources, Results" is the theme of the 2003 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, Jan. 6-10, in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, formerly the Opryland Hotel Nashville. The National Cotton Council is the primary coordinator of the forum, which seeks to strengthen U.S. cotton's competitive position in domestic and world markets and to increase industry members' profitability. The objective for reaching that goal is to speed the transfer of pioneering technology to U.S. cotton producers and other industry members via that forum. The conferences will feature special workshops and seminars, The Cotton Foundation Technical Exhibit and the cotton technical conferences. A conferences' information booklet will be mailed in mid-September to previous attendees, and the information will be posted on the NCC's web site, www.cotton.org/beltwide. For further information, contact the NCC's Debbie Richter, P.O. 820285, Memphis, TN 38182 (901) 274-9030 FX (901) 725-0510 or email drichter@cotton.org. 

Restart of Poultry Ban Possible. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports from Moscow that the Russians may reimpose a ban on U.S. poultry imports. Russia and the United States have failed to reach a resolution of a dispute which arose after Moscow voiced concerns over sanitary conditions at American processing plants. First Deputy Agriculture Minister Sergei Dankvert told the Interfax news agency Saturday the Russians were not ready to make exceptions for the United States. U.S. officials have insisted on changes to a new veterinary certificate required by the Russian government. The new certificate comes into force on Sept. 15. 

U.S. Denounces Zimbabwe's Farmer Eviction.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that the U.S. State Department on Saturday denounced Zimbabwe's attempt to evict all of its 1,800 white farmers and thousands of farm workers, calling it "a reckless and reprehensible act." The farmers are defying a government order giving the farms to blacks. "These actions by the government of Zimbabwe, in combination with its assault on its political opponents, have destroyed Zimbabwe's economy, undermined the nation's democratic institutions and accelerated the onset of severe food shortages facing Zimbabwe and the region," the statement said. "The United States recognizes the need for genuine land reform in Zimbabwe and would support a rational and equitable program to this end." 

Kentucky Chickens Suffocate. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that ventilation systems in three western Kentucky chicken houses were turned off, killing more than 55,000 birds by suffocation, state police said Friday. Police said the ventilators were turned off Wednesday night; the chickens were discovered the following morning. Police had no suspects. Live chickens stay at the houses, owned by Tyson foods, about seven weeks before they are transported to a processing plant. 

August 9

Zoellick Urged to Ensure U.S. Trade with Larger EU.  Eleven senators and three members of the House of Representatives have urged U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick to ensure that U.S. trade rights, especially regarding beef and bananas, are fully protected as the European Union modifies its import policies to accommodate an expansion from 15 to as many as 25 member countries. 

South Koreans Eat Texas Barbecue.  The U.S. Meat Export Federation recently held a Texas barbecue buffet and four-course dinner promotion at the Grand Hilton Hotel in Seoul, South Korea, to help Korean chefs take advantage of non-conventional, price competitive and versatile U.S. cuts. 

Pigeonpea May Answer Forage Lack.  Livestock producers across the Great Plains could one day have the benefits of nutritious forages year round, thanks in part to pigeonpea. Agricultural Research Service scientists, led by agronomist Srinivas C. Rao at the Grazinglands Research Laboratory in El Reno, OK, found that the legume has the potential to fill a gap in forage availability that affects livestock farms between late summer and fall. 

RFA Updates Ethanol Publication.  The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has placed an updated version of its publication, Fuel Ethanol: Industry Guidelines, Specifications and Procedures on the RFA website. The technical publication was recently revised by the RFA Technical Committee and a future update is expected by the end of the year. The RFA Technical Committee first published fuel quality guidelines for ethanol in 1991. This document is a compilation of the key technical aspects of fuel grade ethanol and its traditional application as a fuel component, based on the collective experience and expertise of RFA member companies. It is designed to serve as a condensed technical reference for ethanol producers, blenders, and other interested parties. The document can be found at: www.ethanolRFA.org/pdf/RFA_Pub_960501.pdf. 

Canadian Beef Problems Hurt U.S. Fast-Food Shares.  REUTERS reports that shares of McDonald's Corp., YUM Brands Inc. and other U.S. fast-food chains serving beef products declined sharply in morning trade Thursday. The action followed a report by Canadian health officials that a Canadian man had died of the human strain of mad cow disease. The man, who died in a hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, likely contracted the disease in the United Kingdom, Canadian Health officials said. Further details were not immediately available. The market reacted quickly to news of the death, fearful that mad cow, a fatal disorder that has been a catastrophe to cattle herds in Britain and other parts of the world, might have entered the North American food supply. 

Japan Finds Chinese Peas Unacceptable.  KYODO NEWS reports Japan's farm ministrhy has found levels higher than allowed of residual pesticides in Chinese fresh peas sold in the city of Saitama, north of Tokyo. The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry said it detected 0.07 ppm of cypermethrin in the imported peas sold July 30 at a supermarket in Saitama. The ministry has reported the finding to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry and the Saitama municipal government, ministry.

August 8

EPA Disputes NRDC Charges.  The Environmental Protection Agency says accusations by the Natural Resources Defense Council about the agency's pesticide compliance record are "misinformation rather than facts." Last Friday, EPA announced that it had met a significant milestone for food safety by reassessing more than 6,400 allowable pesticide residues on food (called tolerances) to ensure that they satisfy the tougher food safety standard contained in the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. EPA says reaching this goal was accomplished through "an exhaustive scientific and regulatory effort involving key stakeholders throughout the process." 

Cattlemen Concerned about Some Meat Imports.  The National Cattlemen's Beef Association again has contacted key government agency trade, animal health, and food safety officials to express concern about countries wanting to export meat into the United States. 

Farmers Union Wants Comments Response.  National Farmers Union is encouraging farmers and ranchers to submit comments to proposed voluntary country-of-origin labeling guidelines by USDA's Friday (Aug. 9) deadline. USDA is seeking public comments on structuring voluntary country-of-origin labeling guidelines mandated by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. 

Ethanol Expansion Completed.  Al-Corn Clean Fuel has completed a major expansion to their ethanol plant, increasing annual capacity from 18 to 30 million gallons. Al-Corn Clean Fuel, outside Claremont, MN, now can process more than 11 million bushels of corn into 30 million gallons of ethanol annually. In addition to ethanol, the plant produces distillers dried grains (DDG) and carbon dioxide. With the expansion complete, the plant is expected to employ 30 full-time workers. Al-Corn served as its own general contractor and hired ICM of Colwich, KS, to provide the process design engineering. Currently, 64 ethanol plants nationwide have the capacity to produce 2.47 billion gallons annually. 

Anti-Obesity Bill Introduced. Sens. Bill Frist (R-TN), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Chris Dodd (D-CT) have introduced a bill (S. 2821) designed to address heightened concerns regarding American obesity. The bill proposes to spend $200 million for state/local efforts on physical activity and nutrition education, such as funding new parks and recreational centers, training health professionals about weight management and providing more funds for existing school exercise and nutrition programs. The bill was referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for review. Reps. Mary Bono (R-CA) and Kay Granger (R-TX) are expected to introduce the House version of the legislation after Congress reconvenes in September. 

End of Sugar Dispute Desired. REUTERS reports that U.S. corn, rice, chicken and hog producers hope the United States and Mexico can end a sugar trade dispute soon. Doing so would help solve their own troubles in the huge Spanish-speaking market. U.S. and Mexican trade negotiators were to hold a closed-door meeting Thursday on ideas to end the eight-year-old sugar dispute that has embittered two countries supposedly committed to bilateral free trade. The issue involves Mexico's demand for greater access to the U.S. sugar market and the ability to ship its 600,000 ton surplus to the United States. But opposition by the U.S. sugar lobby prompted Mexico to block imports of American high-fructose corn syrup used by Mexican firms as a sweetener in soft drinks. 

U.S. Holds Australian Beef. THE AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION reportsshipments of Australian beef arriving in the United States have been delayed by customs. U.S. Customs has refused to clear the beef, because it of confusion over the numbering system used on the export certificates. But a spokesman for Federal Agriculture Minister Warren Truss says the issue will be sorted out, and the meat will start to clear by the weekend. He says Australia used the same numbering system as it does for lamb exports, and U.S. officials gave no indication this would be a problem. 

No New Money for Canadian Farmers.  REUTERS reports Canadian Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief says there is no new federal money for drought-stricken western farmers. Instead the government will wait to determine the effectiveness of its current farm aid plan. The Canadian Wheat Board has warned that a drought parching large areas of Western Canada could dramatically depress production and exports of Prairie spring wheat and barley this year. In June, Ottawa unveiled plans to provide bridge funding for farmers under severe drought conditions and massive foreign agriculture subsidies. Asked whether Ottawa would offer more aid, Vanclief said: "At this time, no. We have a number of programs there and we'll see to what extent those programs go -- and the use of them needs to be maximized first." 

Pollution Cleanup Rules Being Drafted.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that Bush administration is drafting a new rule for cleaning up pollution in more than 20,000 lakes, ponds, streams and rivers nationwide. However, environmental groups say developing a new regulation will delay water cleanups and remove existing pollution controls. "We feel it's important to move forward on working on a regulation," said Ben Grumbles, an official with the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water. He said one goal is to improve existing rules "so that more water bodies and watersheds are cleaned up more quickly and effectively." Many details of the new rule are still being developed, he said, and there is no time frame for when the regulation will be completed. 

August 7

Administration Fields Biotechnology Policy.  The Bush administration has proposed its policy for early safety assessment of genetically modified crops. The proposals are aimed at further reducing the likelihood of intermittent, low levels of biotechnology-derived genes and gene products from crops under development for food or feed use until all appropriate safety standards have been met. 

Needy Communities Get Grants.  USDA selected more than 150 projects in economically distressed communities in 26 states and U.S. territories that will receive $16.5 million in community facilities economic impact initiative grants. The grants will assist in the development of important community services and facilities in areas of high unemployment and economic depression. 

Breaux Says U.S.-Mexico Sugar Trade Is Industry Affair.  Sen. John Breaux (D-LA) told the International Sweetener Symposium that any trade agreement on sugar between the United States and Mexico will have to involve the sugar industries of both nations. He said an agreement "is not going to be reached in the backroom" by government officials. 

Dorr Appointed in Recess.  President Bush has appointed Tom Dorr to be under secretary of agriculture for rural development, sidestepping the Senate nomination process by making the appointment during a congressional recess. The Senate Agriculture Committee reported Dorr's nomination to the Senate floor without a recommendation. Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) suggested Bush find someone else for the job. The nomination had languished in the Senate since April 30, 2001, when Bush sent it to the Senate. With the recess appointment, Dorr also becomes a member of the board of directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said of the appointment: "As a family farmer from Iowa, Tom brings more than 30 years of experience, understanding and knowledge of rural issues and values to this position. I have confidence that he will work tirelessly to advance the president's agenda by strengthening programs to help families and businesses in rural communities throughout America." 

No Feedlots for Niche Market Cattle.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that a nich group of U.S. beef producers are skipping the feedlot and sending their cattle to market as grass-fed animals. Grain-fed beef producers dispute the health claims made by producers who feed their cattle only grass. It takes longer to get grass-fed animals to market, and the meat requires customers pay a little more for the different taste of grass-fed beef. Most of the beef in the United States comes from cattle fattened at feedlots, where thousands of animals feed in a fenced-off section, eating corn and protein supplements dished out in bins. 

Japan Files Against Nippon Meat Packers. KYODO NEWS reports the Japanese government will file fraud charges against a Nippon Meat Packers Inc. The charges are linked to allegations the unit defrauded the state by disguising imported beef as domestic in a state-operated buyback of beef. The buyback was held after mad cow disease emerged in Japan, farm ministry officials said. The charges against the Osaka-based subsidiary Nippon Food Kansai will be filed with the Hyogo Prefectural Police Headquarters, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry officials said. Earlier, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said, ''The government will respond to this matter with severe measures, including the filing of a criminal complaint, in the event it is verified that the company abused the official (buyback) program.'' 

USDA extends TB Comment Period.  USDA has reopened and extended its comment period on an interim rule that amends bovine tuberculosis regulations regarding state and zone classifications by removing the split-state status of Texas and classifying the entire state as modified accredited advanced. In addition to requesting comments on the change in the tuberculosis classification of Texas, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is requesting comments on the current regulatory provisions of the domestic bovine tuberculosis eradication program. For additional information, contact Joseph Van Tiem, senior staff veterinarian, national animal health programs, veterinary services, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 43, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1231, (301) 734-6954. Notice of the extended comment period is published in Tuesday's Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html. 

Florida Will Vote on Caging Pregnant Pigs.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS report Florida voters will cast ballots this fall on a proposal to make caging pregnant pigs unconstitutional in the state. It is the result of a petition drive thought to be the first of its kind. The Florida Division of Elections said Floridians for Humane Farms reached the required 488,722 certified signatures on Monday. The amendment would phase out the use of 2-foot by 7-foot metal cages to confine sows during pregnancy, as well as tight tethers. "It's no surprise that packing animals in small metal cages for months at a time leads to enormous suffering and emotional frustration," said Wayne Pacelle, a senior vice president of The Humane Society of the United States, which cosponsored the petition drive. Florida is 30th in the nation in hog production, and only a few swine producers in the state are known to confine pregnant pigs in crates. 

August 6

Dairy Program Signup Begins Next Week.  Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced that signup for the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Program will begin Aug. 13. This program, authorized by the 2002 farm law, financially compensates dairy producers when domestic milk prices fall below a specified level. Eligible dairy producers are those who produced milk in any state and marketed the milk commercially beginning December 2001. 

New Ethanol Plant on Line in Illinois.  Adkins Energy LLC has completed construction on its plant and began producing ethanol two months ahead of schedule. Adkins Energy is the first farmer-owned ethanol plant to operate in Illinois. Adkins Energy, located outside of Lena, Illinois, includes a co-generation facility to produce steam and electricity for the plant. 

USTR Announces Raw Cane, Products Quotas.  The Office of the United States Trade Representative Monday announced the country-by-country allocations of the raw cane sugar, refined sugar, and sugar-containing products tariff-rate quotas for fiscal year (FY) 2003. The allocation for Mexico provided for under the North American Free Trade Agreement will be made at a later date. 

Stenholm Says Farm Law Criticism 'Ridiculous.'  In an opening address at the International Sweetener Symposium, Rep. Charles Stenholm (D-TX), the ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, said that "criticism of the farm (law) from the national and foreign press is ridiculous." He said the bill gives the United States a better bargaining position as world trade talks resume. 

Indonesia to Increase Rough Rice Price.  REUTERS reports that Indonesia plans to raise the farm price of rough rice next year. The move is designed to encourage farmers to produce more rice and cope with steep inflation, according to Agriculture Minister Bungaran Saragih. "We haven't raised the farm-gate price in the past two years so we will raise it in 2003 in line with the inflation rate over the past two years," Saragih told reporters. The new price will be announced in October. 

Australia Suffers from Drought.  THE AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION reports agriculture department figures show the driest conditions in a century are plaguing Western Australia's eastern wheat belt. Climatologist Dr David Stephens says this is the first time there have been three such dry consecutive years over much of the state's southern agricultural regions. "Our crop yield predictions, are ranking the yields as some of the lowest yields we'd expect on record. So if we run the model on 100 years of rainfall, and we compare how this years yields going with other years, well regions like Dalwallinu, the model ranking is actually the second lowest on record, say behind 1914," Dr Stephens said. 

Flaws in USDA's Recall Process Noted. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL says flaws in the USDA process to recall suspect meat products are highlighted by the ConAgra case. The article notes it took three months for Con-Agra Foods to recall potentially tainted meat and questions why it took that long. The answer has to do with the way meat recalls are made, a procedure that is now under review by USDA, the Journal says. Starting in mid-April, ConAgra detected a virulent E. coli strain -- O157:H7 -- in some meat produced on 24 separate days at its Greeley, CO, plant. The Journal says, "Federal meat inspectors are stationed in the plant, but it isn't clear when senior USDA officials learned about the pattern." The article says USDA sounded no alarm until June 30 and took 19 more days before it persuaded ConAgra to launch the nation's second-largest meat recall. 

India's Monsoon Resumes.  REUTERS reports that the monsoon rains have returned to India, but the rainfall is not heavy enough yet to halt the country's worst drought in a decade. Farm Minister Ajit Singh said "a national calamity" remains. He added that drought conditions had worsened in northwestern states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and areas of Rajasthan. The monsoon season runs from June to September and is a major component of India's economic health. Agriculture contributes 25% to gross domestic product and gives jobs to 70% of its more than one billion population. Farmers and traders drew hope from the rainfall over the weekend and forecasts of more rain over the next few days. But Agriculture Ministry Special Secretary Hemendra Kumar said the effect of the precipitation would be "only marginal." 

August 5

TPA Now Is Up to Bush.  President Bush is expected to sign the long-awaited bill giving him and administration negotiators trade promotion authority - the right to finalize trade agreements knowing Congress can't change them, just approve or disapprove. The Senate vote last week was 64-34, a far more comfortable margin than the House tally of 215-212 several days before. 

EPA Completes Second Phase of Pesticide Reviews.  The Environmental Protection Agency EPA has completed the second phase of an intensive 10 year scientific and regulatory effort to ensure that all existing pesticide tolerances meet the tougher food safety standard called for in the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. The law calls for a multi-year regulatory process to reassess existing levels for allowable pesticide residues on food (tolerances). That law required EPA to complete the comprehensive safety evaluation of more than 66% of existing pesticide tolerances by Aug. 3. 

Rural Economic Conditions Need Improvement.  National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Vice President, Research & Business Development, Richard Glass told USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service that Congress and the Bush administration need to "move in a new direction" and work toward improving the economic conditions of farm rural areas. 

Milk Protein into Film Process Is Patented.  An Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist has received a patent for her method to turn a milk protein into water-resistant films that could be used to coat or package foods. The method removes casein from milk by using carbon dioxide under high pressure. Casein, which solidifies when milk is acidified, is the chief ingredient in cheese. It is also used as a food supplement and as an ingredient in nonfood products including adhesives, finishing materials for paper and textiles, and paints. 

Italy Miller Won't Import GM Wheat.  REUTERS reports Italy's largest milling firm will not import genetically modified (GM) wheat. Grandi Molini Italiani SpA (GMI) claims consumers don't want it. CEO Antonio Costato said, "We will not only avoid buying GM wheat, but we will probably be forced to completely avoid importing from those countries/regions where it is known that GM wheat is grown." He outlined GMI's position if the United States or Canada commercialized GM wheat. "In a situation with ample and cheap alternative supplies and a general, strongly convinced public opinion against genetically modified organisms, we will have no alternative," he added. Costato told REUTERS, "After a very frank and realistic presentation, the attendees (U.S. Department of Agriculture and farmers representing the main wheat growing states) came to the conclusion that GM wheat cannot be an issue for the time being." 

India's Farmers Hope for Rain.  REUTERS reports large parts of India are grappling with the driest weather pattern in a decade. Rajasthan in the northwest is struggling with its worst drought in living memory. "I have never seen this kind of drought," says one 68-year-old farmer. "There's no drinking water, even. There's only dirty water from the wells and it makes us sick." The June-September southwest monsoon is extremely important to India. It brings 80% of the annual rain vital to a farm sector that employs 70% of the country's billion-plus people and makes up a quarter of gross domestic product. 

New Biotech Unit Set Up.  USDA has created a new unit within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service called Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) to focus on USDA's key role in regulating and facilitating biotechnology. The creation of BRS provides APHIS and its cadre of biotechnology experts with an opportunity to review its leadership position in the agriculture biotechnology field and speak to its stakeholders with one voice. The new program will focus on regulation of biotechnology, risk assessments and permitting. BRS will also work with foreign governments to help create compatible biotechnology standards and will follow industrial trends and forecast scientific advancement to better regulate the biotechnology industry. APHIS will be reassigning 25 staff members to this new unit and focusing approximately $4 million on the effort. 

Canadian Cattle to Be TB Tested.  USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will require tuberculosis testing starting Aug. 17 for breeding cattle and bison that have been in the province of Manitoba, Canada, and are presented for importation into the United States. USDA is taking the action as a result of recent findings of TB in Manitoba cattle. Previously Canada was allowed to attest on export health certifications that cattle and bison originate from a TB-free herd. That statement is no longer valid for Manitoba. Currently, the United States has a TB eradication program in place. California, Michigan and Texas are considered affected under this program. 

Microbiological Criteria Committee Meets.  The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods will hold a public meeting on Aug. 28, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced. The committee will continue discussions on salmonella performance standards in meat and poultry products and on the scientific basis for establishing safety-based "use-by" date labeling for refrigerated, ready-to-eat foods. The committee will also begin discussion on two new topics: assessing the analytical utility of campylobacter identification and quantification methodologies; and redefining the meaning of the term "pasteurization." The full committee will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jurys Washington Hotel, 1500 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington DC, 20036. The NACMCF subcommittees will be holding public meetings to work on issues to be discussed at the full committee session. The Microbiological Performance standards for Raw Meat and Poultry subcommittee will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug. 6-8, to continue its discussion of salmonella performance standards for ground beef and to introduce the committee's new charge to evaluate the analytical campylobacter methodologies used in FSIS baseline studies and for risk assessment. This subcommittee meeting will be held at the Aerospace Building, room 369, 901 D St., SW, Washington DC. This subcommittee will meet again on Aug. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Aerospace Building to continue its discussion of salmonella performance standards for ground beef. 

August 2

Report Confirms Ethanol's Energy Efficiency.  A USDA study confirms the energy efficiency of ethanol and its positive role in reducing U.S. dependence on imported oil. The report, "The Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol: An Update," published by USDA's Office of the Chief Economist, concludes that ethanol production is energy efficient because it yields 34% more energy than is used in growing and harvesting the corn and distilling it into ethanol. 

Beef Clasps Hands with Dunkin' Donuts for Breakfast.  Beef producers will be breaking into the breakfast steak sandwich market by joining with Dunkin' Donuts on a promotion to introduce a steak, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. The Dunkin' Donuts Steak, Egg and Cheese sandwich is made with a sandwich-style, marinated steak patty - a mix of chuck, round and sirloin - served with an egg and slice of American cheese on a freshly baked bagel. The sandwich will be available at breakfast or anytime. 

Corps Issues River Report.  A long-awaited interim report on the navigation study for the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, which outlines the importance of modernizing the nearly 70-year-old lock and dam system, has been issued. The report, by the Army Corps of Engineers, should be a cue to Congress to move forward on the overdue improvements, the National Corn Growers Association says. 

Farmers Union, Alaska Farmers Promote Rural Co-ops.  National Farmers Union announced a renewed agreement with Alaska Farmers Union and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in promoting new agricultural cooperatives in rural Alaska. The agreement prioritizes work between the three organizations in developing rural businesses in the nation's geographically largest state. 

North Korea Still Needs Food.  Despite improved harvests this year, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea urgently needs fresh pledges of external assistance to help plug a food gap threatening millions of its most vulnerable citizens ahead of the main harvests in September/October. 

Dorr Does Not Fare Well.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports Thomas C. Dorr's nomination to head USDA's rural affairs office made it through the Senate Agriculture Committee Thursday but with no committee recommendation. Nine of the 10 Republicans on the panel - except for Sen. Richard Lugar (IN) - boycotted the vote. The committee's chairman, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) called on the White House to nominate someone else in Dorr's place. Dorr has been criticized as making racially insensitive remarks, mocking the poor and submitting false paperwork to USDA on behalf of his family's farm operation. The farm repaid as much as $34,000. 

Biotech Product Rules To Get Tougher.  REUTERS reports the White House will propose stricter regulations today for companies wanting to market new varieties of genetically modified crops. However, environmentalists and consumer groups said the new plan could threaten U.S. farm exports and reduce the liability of biotech companies for new technology. The Office of Science and Technology Policy, an advisory group to President George W. Bush, will offer guidance on how federal agencies should handle the possibility that unapproved biotech crops will seep into nearby U.S. farmland. 

No Action from Panel on Disaster Aid.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that Congress left Washington for its August recess with no action on disaster aid for farmers. Drought has spread from western states such as Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado into Nebraska, Kansas and New Mexico. Parts of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina also are seeing record lows of stream flow, prompting the U.S. Geological Survey to mark them as drought states. Senate Democrats propose a $5 billion emergency aid package for farmers and ranchers who are losing crops and livestock. Republicans are pushing an alternative that would cut that amount almost in half. The Senate Agriculture Committee adjourned Thursday after its chairman, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) said lawmakers were too far apart to agree on legislation. 

Zimbabwe Will Accept Corn.  REUTERS reports that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's government will allow the importation of 20,000 tons of U.S. food aid that might include genetically modified corn. The aid is to feed needy Zimbabweans. In June, Zimbabwe, faced with a food shortage, rejected a U.S. corn consignment because it was not certified GM free. The government feared farmers would use it as planting seed and undermine the country's grain seed variety development program through cross-pollination. It also said consumption of GM corn by livestock could jeopardize Zimbabwe's beef exports to Europe. Government officials were not available for comment on Thursday. 

August 1

orn Growers Call for Drought Task Force.  Due to what he terms is the serious impact of the continuing drought on crop and livestock producers, Tim Hume, president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman urging the USDA to immediately form a task force to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the losses caused by drought conditions over the last two years. 

Groups Urge Drought Assistance Approval. The Senate Agriculture Committee is scheduled to take up an emergency disaster assistance measure for farmers today, and 20 agricultural groups are urging senators to approve the legislation. The groups support a package to help farmers and ranchers who have suffered crop and livestock losses the last two years.

Gas from Manure Possible Electricity Source.  A microturbine generator that runs on methane biogas from animal manure will be evaluated as a source of electricity and heat for a research dairy farm in a cooperative project of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Bio-Power and the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The microturbine system could generate as much as 26 kilowatts (kw) of electricity and approximately 400,000 British thermal units (btu) per hour of heat for small dairy operations of fewer than 250 cows. 

U.S. Meat Interests Work on Japanese Consumers.  Women have been chosen to tell the story of the safety of U.S. meat to Japanese consumers. The campaign strategy belongs to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. When BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) was discovered in the Japanese herd last September, USMEF immediately went to work showing consumers that U.S. beef was safe and wholesome. Then, with beef checkoff dollars and funding from USDA and other sources, USMEF launched advertising in March designed to let women in the industry tell the U.S. beef story directly to Japanese consumers. 

USDA Mulls New Rules on Food Safety.  REUTERS quotes consumer groups who say USDA is trying to repair its image, tarnished by the second-largest meat recall in history by ConAgra and is considering new regulations to require meat companies to implement more food safety safeguards. USDA has asked consumers groups and the meat industry to provide suggestions on how it can avoid another massive beef recall. Twenty-eight people in seven states have become sick after eating meat tainted with E. coli. Public health groups have criticized USDA on its handling of the ConAgra recall. They claim lax oversight of meat plants and inconsistent enforcement allowed the contamination to occur. "Its shocking how many holes in the safety net there are," said Tony Carbo, senior policy analyst for the Washington-based Government Accountability Project. The Bush administration has strongly defended its food safety system as the best in the world, but admits there may be room for improvement. "I do think there is a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking now on what happened with (ConAgra's recall)," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman told reporters. "We're going to try to go through this entire thing and see where we need to make changes in the system," she said. 

India Assures, but It's Still Worst Drought in 10 Years.  REUTERS reports that India says there is no cause for alarm even as the worst drought in more than 10 years just gets worse. Financial markets and forecasters say it will slow economic growth. Farm Minister Ajit Singh said conditions in many areas had deteriorated, but he said India had enough grain stocks and foreign exchange reserves to meet the crisis. The June-September southwest monsoon arrived over the southern state of Kerala in early June and moved to West India. However, its progress in northwestern India, where oilseeds, feed grains and rice are grown, has been unpredictable. "The situation in many areas, which were badly affected by drought, has become worse. The areas include Saurashtra, Rajasthan, western Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Karnataka," Singh told reporters. 

France Wants Complete Discussion.  REUTERS reports that France wants the Europeaqn Union to discuss at the same time member nation programs from agricultural subsidies to structural funds. The 15-nation bloc is considering reforms and expansion. Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said Paris would consider reforms to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) but not without bringing in other issues, too. Those range from Britain's rebate, Spain's structural funds and German contributions to French agriculture. Raffarin rejects suggestions his government is not pro-European even in the face of recent decisions that appear to show French reluctance to cooperate with its partners. His comments appeared aimed at making sure France is not the only member that must make sacrifices as the EU reshuffles its budget to include the poorer new members. 

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