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<title>The Hagstrom Report</title><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/index.html</link><description>Ag News As It Happens</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:rights>&#xa9; 2012 The Hagstrom Report</dc:rights><dc:date>2012-09-07T20:24:00-04:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Tue, 1 Jan 2013 17:52:31 -0500</lastBuildDate><item><title>Farm bill&#x2c; dairy program prospects remain uncertain</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-31T21:28:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1231_farmbill1.html#unique-entry-id-934</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1231_farmbill1.html#unique-entry-id-934</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Amidst reports that the Senate will vote later this evening on the &ldquo;fiscal cliff&rdquo; bill, but the House will not vote on the legislation until Tuesday, prospects for an extension of the 2008 farm bill remain uncertain, particularly because House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., appear opposed to inclusion of a new dairy program.


And, according to a Senate aide, McConnell is trying to extend only portions of the farm bill, rather than accept the nine-month extension that has been agreed to by members of both parties in the Senate and House Agriculture committees.


...&ldquo;McConnell doesn&rsquo;t understand agriculture policy, yet he&rsquo;s trying to write a new farm bill extension in the fiscal cliff deal, rather than take a bipartisan recommendation from leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture committees,&rdquo; the aide said.


...But there is also a fourth proposal that has not been filed that would extend farm programs through Sept. 30, 2013, but would not include the dairy proposal that was included in both the Senate-passed farm bill and the House Agriculture Committee-passed bill.


...&ldquo;It is ironic that the threat of higher dairy prices for consumers, caused by the possible implementation of the 1949 act, is being used to force Congress to pass a new program that will result in higher prices,&rdquo; said Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice-president for legislative and economic affairs.


...&ldquo;IDFA supports an extension of existing dairy policies in the current farm bill to give Congress time to complete action on a new five-year farm bill and to allow for consideration of the alternative to the Dairy Security Act offered by Reps. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Farmers Union&#x2c; AFT criticize lack of farm bill</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-31T21:28:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1231_farmbill2.html#unique-entry-id-933</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1231_farmbill2.html#unique-entry-id-933</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[&ldquo;National Farmers Union, echoing the voices of most family farmers and ranchers across the country, is deeply disappointed in the dysfunction of Congress,&rdquo; NFU President Roger Johnson said in a news release. 

...&ldquo;We believe that Congress missed the perfect opportunity to sew up a long-term, well-balanced farm bill that gives farmers the certainty they need to plan for the future, install sound farm program reforms and assure a fair sharing of the necessary budget sacrifices,&rdquo; Scholl said.


...&ldquo;Not only will committees have to rewrite the farm bill, but we anticipate an even greater budgetary challenge when the Congressional Budget Office releases new baseline numbers in March,&rdquo; Scholl said. 

...&ldquo;We hope it includes simple fix that will allow NRCS [National Resources Conservation Service] to move forward with 2013 sign-up for CSP[Conservation Stewardship Program],&rdquo; Hoefner said. 

...The tax on inherited estates would rise from 35 percent to 40 percent, though Democrats agreed to keep in place the current exemption for estates worth up to $5 million.   And nearly 30 million households would be protected from paying the costly alternative minimum tax for the first time &mdash; either on their 2012 tax returns or at any time in the future. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Jackson to resign from EPA next month</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-27T13:54:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1227_jackson.html#unique-entry-id-909</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1227_jackson.html#unique-entry-id-909</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Enviromental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, who made several pro-ethanol decisions key to the economy in rural America, but who ran into conflict with some farm leaders and Republicans over regulations, announced today that she will resign.


...In a statement today, Obama praised Jackson for &ldquo;playing a key role in establishing historic fuel economy standards that will save the average American family thousands of dollars at the pump, while also slashing carbon pollution.&rdquo;


...Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, which represents the builders and makers of ethanol plants, said Jackson &ldquo;has been a dedicated advocate for the renewable fuels industry and her work to reduce our nation's addiction to foreign oil, while providing cleaner air and a better environment, should be commended.&rdquo;


...&ldquo;During her tenure, she cleared the way for E15, giving consumers more choice and savings at the gas pump, and she protected the progress that has been made in reducing our dependence of foreign oil by recognizing the importance and inherent flexibility of the RFS,&rdquo; Dinneen said. 

...Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who recently criticized rural leaders for focusing too much on the dust regulation after they knew it would not be changed, praised Jackson&rsquo;s tenure today.


&ldquo;Lisa Jackson has served our country well as she balanced improving the environment and the health of the American people &mdash; while ensuring our country's economic competitiveness &mdash; because they are intrinsically linked," Vilsack said in a news release.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>CBO score of extension makes NSAC happier</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-30T19:27:01-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1230_farmbill4.html#unique-entry-id-908</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1230_farmbill4.html#unique-entry-id-908</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Congressional Budget Office has released its score for an extension of the 2008 farm bill until September 30, 2013, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has issued a revised statement of its views on the bill.


The NSAC said the score &ldquo;shows 2013 funding being provided for many of the programs that received mandatory funding in the 2008 farm bill and that received mandatory funding in the Senate-passed and House Committee-passed versions of the now defunct 2012 farm bills.&rdquo;


&ldquo;While we question the way the bill was drafted, we are delighted it provides 2013 funding for beginning farmers, rural development, minority farmer outreach, specialty crop and organic research, direct farmer to consumer markets, and a variety of other programs,&rdquo; said NSAC policy director Ferd Hoefner in a statement.


&ldquo;We are still awaiting word as to whether the bill would also allow USDA to resume sign-ups and sign contracts with farmers for the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Conservation Reserve Program-Transition Incentive Program,&rdquo; Hoefner said.   &ldquo;In our view, those are critical pieces that need to be included in a farm bill extension measure.&rdquo;


	▪	December 30, 2012 &ndash; CBO Score of One-Year Extension of Agriculture Programs]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Peterson backs one-year extension with dairy support</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-30T18:06:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1230_farmbill3.html#unique-entry-id-907</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1230_farmbill3.html#unique-entry-id-907</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., today endorsed a one-year farm bill extension that would include a new dairy support program.


&ldquo;Given House Republican leaders&rsquo; repeated opposition to a five-year farm bill, House and Senate Agriculture committee leadership has worked together to write an extension of the 2008 farm bill which includes much-needed reforms to the dairy industry. 

...&ldquo;I remain opposed to other efforts that would fail to reform the dairy safety net,&rdquo; he said, referring to two one-month extension measures that have been filed by House Republicans.


&ldquo;Given the improbability that both the House and Senate can enact long-term farm policy into law within the next 30 days, the 30-day extension approach is a poor joke on farmers that offers no certainty, just more empty promises from the Republican leadership,&rdquo; Peterson said.


...	▪	To provide a one-year extension of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and amendments made by that Act, with certain modifications and exceptions, to provide supplemental agricultural disaster assistance, to establish dairy producer margin protection and dairy market stabilization programs, and for other purposes


...	▪	To provide a temporary extension of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and amendments made by that Act, with certain modifications and exceptions, and for other purposes
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Stabenow supports extension if no farm bill</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-30T15:29:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1230_farmbill2.html#unique-entry-id-906</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1230_farmbill2.html#unique-entry-id-906</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., has issued a statement saying that if Congress does not pass a new farm bill by Monday night, she would back the extension bill that House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., announced earlier today.


...&ldquo;While the Senate passed a bipartisan five-year farm bill in June that cut subsidies and reduced the deficit, the lack of action by the House Republican leadership has put us in a situation where we risk serious damage to our economy unless we pass a temporary extension,&rdquo; Stabenow said.


&ldquo;If a new farm bill is not passed in the next few days, Agriculture Committee leaders in both chambers and both parties have developed a responsible short-term farm bill extension that not only stops milk prices from spiking, but also prevents eventual damage to our entire agriculture economy,&rdquo; she said.


...If a new farm bill doesn&rsquo;t pass this Congress we&rsquo;ll soon hold another mark-up and just keep working until one is enacted next year.&rdquo;


...	▪	To provide a one-year extension of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and amendments made by that Act, with certain modifications and exceptions, to provide supplemental agricultural disaster assistance, to establish dairy producer margin protection and dairy market stabilization programs, and for other purposes


...	▪	To provide a temporary extension of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and amendments made by that Act, with certain modifications and exceptions, and for other purposes
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Three farm bill extension measures filed in House</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-30T13:19:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1230_farmbill1.html#unique-entry-id-905</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1230_farmbill1.html#unique-entry-id-905</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., urged passage of a one-year extension of the 2008 farm bill, but the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition said today that House Republican leaders had filed three different versions of an extension, and that each is problematic.


Lucas said the one-year bill was a result of &ldquo;discussions&rdquo; with House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., and Senate &ldquo;colleagues,&rdquo; but he did not say specifically that the others were backing the bill.


...&ldquo;The House Republican leaders filed three different versions of measures to extend the 2008 farm bill, a one-year version and two one-month versions, with the one-year version including disaster assistance funding and a new dairy stabilization program, and the two short-term measures delaying the so-called &lsquo;dairy cliff.&rsquo; 

...&ldquo;The one-year version does provide funding for renewable energy programs and some but not all organic agriculture programs, but as with the two one-month versions, leaves the other critical farm bill programs that lack 2013 funding high and dry. 

...	▪	To provide a one-year extension of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and amendments made by that Act, with certain modifications and exceptions, to provide supplemental agricultural disaster assistance, to establish dairy producer margin protection and dairy market stabilization programs, and for other purposes


...	▪	To provide a temporary extension of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and amendments made by that Act, with certain modifications and exceptions, and for other purposes
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The White House at Christmas: Every kind of food and decoration that grows</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-24T08:02:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1224_whitehouse.html#unique-entry-id-865</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1224_whitehouse.html#unique-entry-id-865</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Decorating the White House for Christmas and entertaining official Washington during the month of December has long been a tradition and a job for presidents, but this year there are a few agriculturally-oriented angles that are befitting for First Lady Michelle Obama, whose kitchen garden has become world-famous.


...More than 90,000 people toured the White House in December, and President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama entertained Congress, the media and other officials at  24 holiday receptions attended by 14,000 people.


The photos in this essay were taken by Jerry Hagstrom and Eddie Gehman Kohan of Obama Foodorama at a December 1 tour and the December 5 reception for the print media.


...In addition to the gingerbread White House, the displays this year included a replica of the White House kitchen garden, made mostly from marizpan with chocolate for the boxed beds and dirt, vegetable bed signs and stepping stones.   The hoop houses that the White House puts up for winter &mdash; and that Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan promotes as a way for vegetable farmers in cold climates to grow produce in winter &mdash; are made of fondant, an icing-base made of sugar and water, and gum paste to hold it all together. 

...The Obamas also served dry aged rib eye for their annual White House dinners for the governors of the 50 states and at a dinner for members of the armed services that was billed as &ldquo;A Nation's Gratitude Dinner.&rdquo; ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>USDA announces animal disease traceability rule</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-21T12:38:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_animaldisease.html#unique-entry-id-864</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_animaldisease.html#unique-entry-id-864</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Under the final rule, unless specifically exempted, livestock moved across state lines would have to be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation, such as owner-shipper statements or brand certificates.


...These specific traceability requirements for this group will be addressed in separate rulemaking, allowing the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to work closely with industry to ensure the effective implementation of the identification requirements.


"With the final rule announced today, the United States now has a flexible, effective animal disease traceability system for livestock moving interstate, without undue burdens for ranchers and U.S. livestock businesses," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.


..."Over the past several years, USDA has listened carefully to America's farmers and ranchers, working collaboratively to establish a system of tools and safeguards that will help us target when and where animal diseases occur, and help us respond quickly."


...&ldquo;An effective traceability system is critical to our nation&rsquo;s animal health infrastructure and is one of the components the World Organization for Animal Health considers essential for an effective veterinary services program,&rdquo; said NPPC President R.C. 

...The National Cattlemen&rsquo;s Beef Association said it in the process of reviewing the rule, but that it was encouraged from Vilsack's comments that many of the priorities of cattle ranchers have been considered in this final rule.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Boehner: &#x27;Fiscal cliff&#x27; negotiations now up to Senate&#x2c; Obama</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-21T12:38:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_fiscalcliff1.html#unique-entry-id-863</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_fiscalcliff1.html#unique-entry-id-863</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The situation surrounding the &ldquo;fiscal cliff&rdquo; legislation and any possibility that the farm bill will be included in it became extremely murky today after House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, failed to convince House Republicans to support his bill to extend tax rates for all but people with incomes over $1 million, sent House members home with no clear plan to return, and announced that the next steps are up to the Senate and President Barack Obama.


...The shift of leadership to the Democratic-led Senate and the president raises the possibility of a year-end deal that could pass the House only with the support of House Democrats, but such a bill would make conservative House Republicans furious.


Boehner&rsquo;s statement that he had to turn over leadership on the &ldquo;fiscal cliff&rdquo; issue to the Senate and Obama was a clear failure on his part, but he insisted today that his speakership is not in jeopardy.


...Senators are not expected back in Washington until Thursday, but that would still give them four days to work on legislation before the end of the year, when the 112th Congress will go out of existence.


...Milk prices may rise if a new farm bill or the dairy programs in the 2008 bill are not revived before January 1, when the Agriculture Department would be required to enforce a 1949 dairy law.


...House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., said Thursday he is not worried about going over the "fiscal cliff" because it is not really a cliff and that he is not worried about rising milk prices in the short run. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>House Ag leaders make committee&#x2c; subcommittee changes</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-21T12:38:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_houseag.html#unique-entry-id-862</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_houseag.html#unique-entry-id-862</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., late Thursday announced a reorganization of subcommittees for the next Congress and named the chairmen, while ranking member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., announced some new Democratic members of the committee.


...Lucas announced that he has added nutrition to the subcommittee on department operations and oversight, removed credit from that subcommittee, and named Rep. 

...Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, who was in charge of the nutrition and horticulture subcommittee, but was defeated in a primary.


Lucas has also created a Horticulture, Research, Biotechnology and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee by taking jurisdiction from two previous subcommittees, and appointed Rep. 

...Tim Johnson, R-Ill., had chaired the Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee, while Rep. 

...Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Ann Kuster of New Hampshire, Gloria McLeod of California and Filemon Vela of Texas will join the House Ag committee.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Legislators send letter to CFTC on derivatives</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-21T12:38:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_cftc.html#unique-entry-id-861</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_cftc.html#unique-entry-id-861</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A bipartisan group of 14 members of the House Agriculture General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee sent members of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission a letter today stressing that they are very concerned that a lack of coordination between both foreign and domestic regulators could soon lead to a disruption of the global derivatives markets.


The subcommittee held a hearing on the subject last week at which both U.S. and foreign regulators testified.


	▪	Letter to CFTC]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Obama to nominate Kerry for secretary of State</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-21T12:38:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_kerry.html#unique-entry-id-860</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_kerry.html#unique-entry-id-860</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[President Barack Obama today will nominate Sen.   John Kerry, D-Mass., to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Los Angeles Times reported today.


Kerry&rsquo;s nomination is expected to win Senate approval easily, but the schedule for consideration is uncertain.


Kerry&rsquo;s departure from the Senate will also require a Senate race in Massachusetts, where Republican Sen.   Scott Brown, who was defeated this year by Sen.-elect Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is expected to run.


Brown won his Senate seat in a 2010 special election after the death of Sen. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mikulski to head Senate Appropriations</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-21T12:38:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_mikulski.html#unique-entry-id-859</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_mikulski.html#unique-entry-id-859</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.


The Senate Democratic Caucus Thursday elected Sen.   Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.


Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy, D-Vt., and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, outranked Mikulski in seniority on Appropriations, but they choose to keep their current chairmanships.


Mikulski succeeds Sen.   Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, who passed away on Monday.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Peterson not worried about &#x2018;fiscal cliff&#x2019;</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-21T12:38:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_fiscalcliff2.html#unique-entry-id-858</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1221_fiscalcliff2.html#unique-entry-id-858</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., said Thursday that he is not worried about going over the &ldquo;fiscal cliff&rdquo; next month, and said that even dairy prices should not be affected immediately.


&ldquo;I object to this terminology of &lsquo;going over the cliff,&rsquo; &ldquo; Peterson said in an interview with AgriTalk, a radio show.


...Taxpayers&rsquo; witholding &ldquo;will go up a bit&rdquo; he explained, but the sequestration cuts don&rsquo;t go into effect immediately. 

...On the farm bill, which expired September 30, Peterson noted that programs affecting crops would not be affected immediately because those programs are based on crop year, not the expiration date of the bill.


Although the Agriculture Department is required to begin implementing a 1949 dairy program on January 1, Peterson noted that some economists have said it should not affect dairy prices until May or June.


Peterson has opposed a farm bill extension unless it includes the dairy stabilization program that is in both the Senate-passed and House Agriculture Committee-passed farm bills.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Vilsack promises regulatory speed-up</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-20T11:54:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_regulatory.html#unique-entry-id-857</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_regulatory.html#unique-entry-id-857</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Wednesday promised to speed up the Agriculture Department&rsquo;s regulatory process as he took his campaign to encourage a revitalization of rural America to the U.S. 

...He also noted that farmers need high-speed Internet service in order to market their products because if a farm has it, &ldquo;you've got the whole world open to you.&rdquo;


...In his speech, the secretary said that the last four years have been &ldquo;the best&rdquo; in terms of farm income and exports, and added that one reason Congress needs to address the estate tax is that land values have risen so fast.


...He also mentioned, but did not stress his view that too many rural Americans have developed a &ldquo;preservation mentality&rdquo; rather than focus on the strengths and changes that rural America needs to retain and attract young people.


...	▪	Local and regional food systems: Offer the greatest opportunity to keep people on the land, but need more help in connecting with local institutions such as schools, universities and hospitals that can offer a sustained market.


...Coca-Cola, he said, uses 10 billion bottles per year and bottles made of renewable and reusable materials could help the company meets is environmental responsibilities and create jobs throughout rural America. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Peterson to appear on AgriTalk today</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-20T11:54:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_peterson.html#unique-entry-id-856</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_peterson.html#unique-entry-id-856</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[With the farm bill apparently stalled, House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., will appear on the national radio program AgriTalk today at 11:15 a.m.   EST.


	▪	AgriTalk online live]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>USDA&#x2c; Chinese commit to biotech project</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-20T11:54:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_china.html#unique-entry-id-855</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_china.html#unique-entry-id-855</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Agriculture Department and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday &ldquo;made a commitment to a biotechnology pilot program, which could provide greater cooperation in the approval process for new products,&rdquo; and affirmed new access for pears in the Chinese marketplace through the commitment to allow reciprocal trade between the two countries beginning in 2013, a USDA spokesman said in an email late in the day.


The announcements were made at the conclusion of the annual U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade talks in Washington.


&ldquo;China is currently the top market for agricultural products produced by America&rsquo;s farmers and ranchers and we were able to make progress on several key issues, while reinforcing the inherent value of the products produced in the United States," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.


&ldquo;Much more work remains to be completed, and we&rsquo;ll continue working with our Chinese counterparts in the year ahead.&rdquo;


At a news conference, a Chinese official said that technical talks on U.S. beef exports and Chinese fruit exports would continue today.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Coalition calls on EPA for dicamba residue tolerances</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-20T11:54:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_dicamba.html#unique-entry-id-854</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_dicamba.html#unique-entry-id-854</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Save Our Crops Coalition this week petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to establish residue tolerances for the pesticide dicamba for a broad range of food crops, and the makers of the product have responded.


...&ldquo;In addition to yield reductions caused by direct pesticide damage, farmers also suffer losses when residues of a pesticide are found on a crop for which no tolerance has been established,&rdquo; Smith said. 

...&ldquo;We also have plans to collaboratively conduct testing to establish new uses and residue tolerances for dicamba herbicide on a wide range of sensitive crops, including those listed by SOCC in their press release,&rdquo; the company added. 

...BASF said it &ldquo;is currently developing a research and field test program to establish residue tolerances for Engenia&trade; herbicide on a wide range of sensitive crops.&rdquo;


...&ldquo;This is why BASF and Monsanto have developed best management practices in support of the dicamba tolerant system including prohibiting aerial application on dicamba tolerant crops and specific nozzle and boom height recommendations.&rdquo;


&ldquo;Additionally, BASF will introduce Engenia&trade; with a wide range of stewardship initiatives such as nozzle programs, online and in-field training, and an online proximity mapping tools indicating buffer distances to non-target areas. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Europe Union committee endorses ethanol tax</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-20T11:54:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_ethanol.html#unique-entry-id-853</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_ethanol.html#unique-entry-id-853</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The European Union's Antidumping Advisory Committee, composed of representatives from the EU member states, endorsed a 9.6 percent penalty on U.S. ethanol exports to Europe on Wednesday, but the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy said that the endorsement is only one step in the process.


&rdquo;While the Antidumping Advisory Committee has voted in favor of imposing an anti-subsidy duty on U.S. ethanol exports, this is one committee making a recommendation to a larger body and the matter is not final,&rdquo; RFA and Growth Energy said in a joint statement.


&ldquo;While we are troubled by the commission&rsquo;s preliminary decision, we remain convinced that this matter lacks the merit necessary for imposing such a duty and that, when all the facts are considered, the European Union will rightly decide not to impose any antidumping duties on imports of ethanol produced in the United States,&rdquo; the groups said.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Chamber of Commerce to study water</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-20T11:54:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_water.html#unique-entry-id-852</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_water.html#unique-entry-id-852</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Tom Donohue


The U.S.   Chamber of Commerce is taking up the issue of water, Chamber President Tom Donohue said Wednesday in comments after Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke at a conference.


Donohue said the chamber has recognized that &ldquo;water is a phenomenal issue&rdquo; and that the group intends to study it &ldquo;from an economic perspective, even a peace and war point of view.&rdquo;


Donohue noted that water is a particularly important issue in the Middle East and said he has been impressed with water retention programs in Israel.


Vilsack added, &ldquo;Israel has a recycling program that is nothing short of amazing.&rdquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Huelskamp discusses his removal from Ag committee</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-20T11:54:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_huelskamp.html#unique-entry-id-851</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1220_huelskamp.html#unique-entry-id-851</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Rep.   Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan.


Rep.   Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., discussed the House leadership's decision to remove him from the House Agriculture Committee on AgriTalk Wednesday, and criticized House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, for not bringing up the farm bill.


Huelskamp said he refuses to follow the leadership's direction in voting.


	▪	Farm Policy.com &ndash; Audio excerpt of interview]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Lobbyist: House and Senate staffers work quietly on extension bill</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-19T15:35:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1219_farmbill3.html#unique-entry-id-850</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1219_farmbill3.html#unique-entry-id-850</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A lobbyist said today that House and Senate Agriculture committee aides are working on a farm bill extension but members and staffers have been reluctant to talk about it because they have been hoping to pass the farm bill.


...The lobbyist said the bill would be likely to extend the Milk Income Loss Contract Program and extend some of the 37 programs that have not had baseline since the farm bill expired on September 30, including disaster aid.   It is unknown how an extension bill would pay for the continuation of those programs, but one possibility is that direct payments would be extended but would be trimmed to pay for the other items, the lobbyist said.


...But House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., told Politico that he wants the new dairy stabilization program included in the fiscal cliff bill and will not support the overall bill without it.


...Senate Agriculture ranking member Pat Roberts, R-Kan., told AgriTalk on Tuesday that an extension would be &ldquo;better than nothing,&rdquo; but that it would lead to a different baseline for writing the bill in 2013.


...&ldquo;There&rsquo;s also the danger &mdash; and I wanted to underscore this &mdash; with the administration sending signals in order to pay for the sequester, they&rsquo;ll just take money that is going to be targeted to crop insurance and direct payments and just take the money. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Stabenow says farm bill needed despite disaster amendment&#xa;</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-19T15:35:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1219_farmbill2.html#unique-entry-id-848</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1219_farmbill2.html#unique-entry-id-848</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., co-sponsored an amendment on livestock and fruit disaster aid late Tuesday, but said in Senate floor speeches Wednesday and today that she would still work to pass a farm bill, and work on an extension bill could not be confirmed.


...Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., wrote the original disaster aid amendment to be attached to the supplemental disaster assistance bill for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, but Stabenow, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, R-Mont., Sen. 

...Stabenow said in brief floor remarks that the disaster aid amendment did not negate the need to pass a new farm bill, and an aide said disaster aid needs to be extended on a permanent basis, along with passage of the Senate-passed farm bill.


&ldquo;We are still working very hard to complete a farm bill, to have the House take action, but in the meantime we have disasters that have occurred, and this, these provisions are lifted directly from what we already passed in the farm bill that address what has happened in terms of livestock drought and fires assistance for fruit tree growers, and we will be speaking at a later time about it,&rdquo; Stabenow said. 

...Stabenow added today that there is &ldquo;no way&rdquo; she was going to allow a supplemental disaster assistance bill to move forward without offering a bill to help farmers who have suffered disasters this year.


But she added, &ldquo;That does not negate the need to get a five-year farm bill done or a desire to do that or the fact that we are laser focused until the last moment we have available on getting that done.&rdquo;
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Advanced Ethanol Council releases cellulosic biofuels report</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-19T15:35:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1219_ethanol.html#unique-entry-id-847</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1219_ethanol.html#unique-entry-id-847</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Advanced Ethanol Council today released a report about cellulosic biofuel facilities under development in more than 20 states and Canadian provinces, with profiles of each facility&rsquo;s path to commercial deployment, capacity, location and feedstock.


The report was released at the U.S.   Chamber of Commerce&rsquo;s conference on agricultural innovation and in conjunction with the five-year anniversary of the signing of bill establishing the Renewable Fuel Standard by President George W.   Bush.


	▪	Cellulosic Biofuels Industry Progress Report 2012-2013]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Vilsack&#x2c; Stabenow: Still time for farm bill if Boehner reconsiders it for &#x2018;fiscal cliff&#x2019; legislation</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-19T15:35:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1219_farmbill1.html#unique-entry-id-846</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1219_farmbill1.html#unique-entry-id-846</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said today that there is still time to finish a farm bill and add to &ldquo;fiscal cliff&rdquo; legislation, if only House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, will reconsider a decision not to include it.


...The farm bill comments occurred as the White House announced that President Barack Obama would veto Boehner&rsquo;s proposed &ldquo;Plan B&rdquo; bill that would extend tax cuts except for those on people with incomes of more than $1 million per year.


...Vilsack also said &ldquo;there is no doubt in my mind&rdquo; that Stabenow, Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member Pat Roberts, R-Kan., House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., and House Agriculture ranking member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., could round up the votes to pass the bill.


...She added, &ldquo;I am appalled continually that the Republican leadership of the United States House of Representatives does not consider the security, the livelihood of 16 million people who live in rural America across this country to be a priority worth including in a final list of things that need to yet be done. 

...When asked whether he would want Congress to pass an extension of dairy programs if the farm bill is not passed, Vilsack still made a pitch for the dairy stabilization program that is in both the Senate and House bills.


...Vilsack said he has not been privy to the conversations between Boehner and Obama, but that he is certain cuts to farm programs could be part of the mix in those conversations, noting that Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has said the administration believes farm programs could be a way to reduce spending, as Boehner has demanded.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Erickson leaving Corn Refiners for Mead Johnson</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-19T15:35:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1219_erickson.html#unique-entry-id-845</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1219_erickson.html#unique-entry-id-845</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Audrae Erickson


Corn Refiners Association President Audrae Erickson will leave the organization at the end of this week to accept a position with Mead Johnson, a maker of infant formula, Erickson said in an email today.


J.   Patrick &ldquo;Pat&rdquo; Mohan, a former CRA board member and previous chairman of the Corn Refiners Association, will serve as acting president while the association searches for a full-time replacement, CRA said in a statement to its members.


Erickson will work in Washington for Mead Johnson on U.S. and global government relations and public affairs.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Crop insurance payments reach &#x24;8.7 billion</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-18T16:13:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1218_cropinsurance.html#unique-entry-id-844</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1218_cropinsurance.html#unique-entry-id-844</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[National Crop Insurance Services announced today that, as of Tuesday, crop insurance indemnities had reached $8.7 billion this year.


NCIS noted that farmers can buy crop insurance for 128 crops, but that the five crops that suffered the most damage from the 2012 drought are corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton and grain sorghum.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Boehner to offer &#x2018;Plan B&#x2019; this week</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-18T16:13:02-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1218_boehner.html#unique-entry-id-843</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1218_boehner.html#unique-entry-id-843</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, told fellow House Republicans today that they should prepare for a &ldquo;Plan B&rdquo; to limit tax increases for all those who make less than $1 million per year if he and President Barack Obama cannot reach agreement on a larger tax package.


...According to the National Journal, Boehner told his caucus, &ldquo;The White House just can't seem to bring itself to agree to a &lsquo;balanced&rsquo; approach, and time is running short. 

...Bush for everyone, to the Senate, and it would up to the Senate and Obama to decide whether to finalize that legislation, National Journal said.


But White House Press Secretary Jay Carney dismissed the speaker&rsquo;s &ldquo;Plan B&rdquo; suggestion in a statement, saying it &ldquo;can&rsquo;t pass the Senate and therefore will not protect middle-class families.&rdquo;


He added that Obama &ldquo;is not willing to accept a deal that doesn&rsquo;t ask enough of the very wealthiest in taxes and instead shifts the burden to the middle class and seniors.&rdquo;


...&ldquo;We're going to keep the door open in hopes the president can find a way to support a balanced approach,&rdquo; he told members, National Journal said.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Inouye death creates opening for Leahy&#x2c; Harkin or Mikulski</title><dc:creator>info@hagstromreport.com</dc:creator><dc:subject>Home</dc:subject><dc:date>2012-12-18T16:13:03-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1218_inouye.html#unique-entry-id-842</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hagstromreport.com/2012news_files/2012_1218_inouye.html#unique-entry-id-842</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Tom Harkin, D-Iowa &mdash; in position to become chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, as other agriculture-related leadership positions may change.


...As the longest-serving member of the majority party, Inouye was the president pro tempore of the Senate, which also made him third in line for the presidency after Vice President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House John Boehner.


...Harkin is focused on the pressing issues of the day: communicating to the president and to congressional leadership the importance of fighting for a balanced approach to the fiscal cliff, reforming the rules of the Senate, and furthering the agenda he's laid out as chairman of the HELP Committee and the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations subcommittee.&rdquo;


...But if Harkin were to become chairman of Appropriations, he might be more likely to run again, an Iowa Democratic political activist who obviously wants Harkin told run again told The Hagstrom Report.


...On the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Democrats have announced that Sen.-elect Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., and Sen.-elect Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., currently a member of the House, will join the committee.


...&hellip; As a representative of Hawaii he dedicated his career to establishing and solidifying a place for his state in Washington so that generations of Hawaiians to come might know the benefits of federal support for such important causes as higher education, transportation, health care, and security. ]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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