May 17, 2010
This week’s issue of the AgNews Update is sponsored by The NC Growers Association (NCGA), a non-profit cooperative that consists of approximately 750 North Carolina grower-members who grow a wide variety of diversified crops from flowers, turfgrass, and Christmas trees to tobacco, cucumbers and sweet potatoes. NCGA provides its members a labor force via the H-2a program, which is a legal guestworker program, authorized by the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986. H-2a enables farmers to secure a legal and adequate labor force that is available and capable of assisting with the seasonal/temporary manual labor associated with some agricultural crops. In order to utilize the H-2a program, growers must certify with USDOL they have first engage in independent positive recruitment of US workers through the local employment security commission, word of mouth with other growers and by placing ads in newspapers and on the radio, as well as soliciting the return of any former, qualified workers..
National NEWS
HSUS School Newsletter Concerns Officials: In Nebraska, the Humane Society of the United States distributed a newsletter to third and fourth graders depicting factory farming as the dominant method of producing food, along with pictures and commentary promoting HSUS’ agenda. The agency also encouraged the children to contact federal agencies to request stricter regulations on livestock production. Lincoln Public Schools officials directed teachers not to distribute the newsletter.
Legislative NEWS
Local-Food Council Wants $5 Million for Farmland Preservation: The N.C. Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council sent Senate budget writers a resolution asking them to include $5 million in the state budget to support farmland preservation. Gov. Perdue did not include the $2 million already appropriated for the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund by the legislature in her 2010/11 budget proposal. The full text of the resolution is available at www.ncagr.gov/localfood.
People NEWS
Environmental Farming Systems Director Named Distinguished Professor: Dr. Nancy Creamer, North Carolina State University horticulture professor and director of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems, will occupy one of two endowed chairs made possible with a $3.15 million endowment established last year by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. As holder of one of the chairs, Creamer becomes a distinguished professor of sustainable and community-based food systems.
Former 4th District Congressman Died: Former Congressman Ike Andrews died last week. Andrews, a Democrat, served as a state senator and six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1985.
Business NEWS
Australia Seeks Plain Packaging for Tobacco Products: Australia will force tobacco companies to adopt plain packaging, removing all color and branding logos within two years, in a world-first move. Laws to be in force by January 2012 will prohibit tobacco companies from using any tobacco industry images and promotional text. Free market think-tank The Institute of Public Affairs recently warned that the move to force tobacco companies to sell their products in plain packages could lead to compensation claims of more than $3.4 billion (Australian $) a year. Forcing tobacco companies to strip products of trademarks was akin to compulsory acquisition of physical property and could require compensation under the Constitution, it warned. "$3.4 billion (Australian dollars) taken from general taxpayer revenue to go towards funding to tobacco companies is morally offensive," the institute's Intellectual Property and Free Trade Unit director Tim Wilson told Australian radio. The Australian tobacco market generated total revenues of A$8.3 billion ($7.60 billion US) in 2008, recording growth rate of 2.9 percent between that year and 2004
RJR to Raise Cigarette Prices: Prices for wholesale customers will increase between 8 and 33 cents a pack. This marks the fourth time R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. raised prices since September 2007. Reynolds' top brands, including its flagships Camel and Pall Mall, will see the smaller increase. Nonsupport brands like Capri, Carlton, Eclipse, Lucky Strike, More, Now, and Vantage will see the larger increase.
Stanley Furniture to Cut 530 Jobs in Va.: Stanley Furniture Co. Inc. is planning to move the bulk of its adult furniture production overseas. The move will cut 530 jobs in Virginia by the fourth quarter, but the company plans to keep its quick-ship production of its youth and nursery lines in Robbinsville, N.C.
Progress Energy Expected to Cut Rates in NC: Progress Energy is expected to submit a request to the N.C. Utilities Commission similar to a recent request they made in South Carolina. Progress cut SC residential rates 1.7 percent, 2.6 percent for commercial customers, and 4.3 percent for industrial customers. If approved the N.C. rates would go into effect. Dec. 1.
Campaign NEWS
Voters May Be Leaning Republican: A state-wide poll conducted for the Civitas Institute shows that NC voters are favoring Republicans like never before. Of people definitely voting in November, Republicans had a 41-33 advantage over Democrats. Historically, Democrats hold an eight point generic ballot lead.
Marshall Picks Up Endorsement: Eva Clayton, former congresswoman from Warren County, endorses Elaine Marshall in the Democratic Senate primary runoff. Clayton had thrown her support behind Ken Lewis who came in third in last week’s Democratic primary. Marshall will face Cal Cunningham in the June 22 runoff.
Article Comments (0) Recommend (0)District 8 Runoff: Former North Carolina Rep. Robin Hayes is endorsing Harold Johnson to win back the seat Hayes lost two years ago. Johnson came in second in last week’s primary. The second runoff will be held June 22 between Johnson and winner Tim D’Annunzio, who didn’t pick up enough votes to receive the nomination. The winner of the June 22 runoff will face incumbent Democrat Larry Kissell.
Wilmington Councilwoman Trying to Get on Ballot: Kristi Tomey wants to get her name on the ballot as an unaffiliated candidate to represent New Hanover County in the state Senate. Tomey serves on the Wilmington City Council and currently has about 15 percent of the required signatures. Thom Goolsby, a Republican, and Jim Leutze, a Democrat, are running for the state Senate seat.
Republican Calls for Runoff in U.S. House District 12: Greg Dority, a Republican candidate for U.S. House District 12, plans to write the executive director of the N.C. State Board of Elections, asking for a second primary since none of the three GOP candidates got 40 percent of the vote. Scott Cumbie received 39.49 percent, Dority received 34.31 percent, and William Gillenwater received 26.20 percent. June 22 is reserved for the second primary.
No Runoff in 11th Congressional District GOP Primary: Dan Eichenbaum didn’t pick up enough votes to force a runoff with Republican Jeff Miller. According to unofficial results, Miller earned 40.25% and will face incumbent Democrat Heath Shuler in the fall.
USDA NEWS
Sign Up for Conservation Stewardship Program by June 11: USDA is accepting enrollment for the Conservation Stewardship Program through June 11. Producers can receive payments for conservation practices on cropland, pastureland, rangeland, and non-industrial forestland. To see if you qualify, go to www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html.
Assistance Program for Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that orchardists and nursery tree growers can begin applying for benefits under the Tree Assistance Program. Signup began Monday, May 10, 201 at local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. The Tree Assistance Program (TAP) provides help to orchardists and nursery tree growers who produce trees, bushes, and vines for commercial purposes to replant or rehabilitate trees, bushes and vines damaged or destroyed by natural disasters. The 2008 Farm Bill expanded eligibility to include Christmas tree and nursery tree growers that were ineligible under prior legislation. Trees grown for pulp or timber or not grown for commercial purposes are not eligible. To be eligible for TAP, producers must have suffered more than a 15 percent death loss due to the natural disaster after adjustment for normal mortality.
USDA Reports More Meat, Poultry in 2011: USDA’s World Supply and Demand Estimates report expects more pork and poultry production and lower red meat production. Overall meat production will be slightly higher due to increases in pork and poultry, which will compensate for forecast declines in beef. Increased sow farrowings and heavier carcass weights will set the stage for increased pork production in 2011. Hog prices are predicted to drop slightly to a range of $53 to $57 in 2011 after raising its price forecasts for 2010 to a range of $55 to $57. Broiler and turkey production should increase due to improved returns. For 2011, broiler prices are forecast at 80 cents to 87 cents per pound, while 2010 prices were raised slightly to a range of 81 cents to 85 cents per pound from the previous month’s range of 80 cents to 84 cents. Beef production is expected to continue its decline. Declining cow inventories and calf crops and lower cattle imports during 2011 will lead to decreased inventory available for slaughter. Beef prices are expected to rise to a range of $95 to $102 per hundredweight, an increase over 2010 price forecasts of $94 to $98.
Commodity NEWS
Strawberry Season Shortened: Due to little spring rainfall and an early bumper crop, the strawberry growing season is expected to be shortened by a month. By May, most strawberry crops will be gone.
Record Corn Crop: Even with rising exports and ethanol use, corn supplies will be plentiful in the 2010/11 marketing year. USDA forecast a record 13.37 billion bushel corn crop, with corn supplies of 15.118 billion bushels. Corn exports are predicted to rise to 2 billion bushels from 1.95 billion bushels expected in 2009/10. A slow resurgence in livestock inventory and increased distiller’s grains use is driving domestic corn feed and residual use down to 5.35 billion bushels in 2010/11, compared to 5.375 in 2009/10. Corn prices will range from $3.20 to $3.80 per bushel in 2010/11 from a range of $3.50 to $3.70 in 2009/10.
Farm Income Will Rise 10 Percent: Because of stronger hog and cattle markets, USDA predicts U.S. farm income will rise 10 percent over 2009. If so, that would make 2010 the fifth most profitable year on record. Stronger domestic and export demand have caused cattle and hog prices to rise 20 to 30 percent since Jan. 1. This year will also see more acres of corn and soybeans, and USDA expects prices for these commodities to remain strong.
New ‘Cotton States’: Now eligible for the Cotton Research and Promotion Act, Kansas, Virginia and Florida are now designated as cotton-producing states. Now that these states have a stable group of cotton producers, they will have representatives on the Cotton Board.
Mark Your Calendar
AgForum with Kissell: On May 17, the NC Agribusiness Council will host an AgForum with Congressman Larry Kissell at the Stanly County American Legion Ag Fair in Albemarle, NC. RSVP required. Seats are limited.
AgForum with Shuler: On May 18, the NC Agribusiness Council will host an AgForum with Congressman Heath Shuler at the Western AgCenter in Fletcher, NC. RSVP required. Seats are limited.
AgForum with Butterfield: On June 7, the NC Agribusiness Council will host an AgForum with Congressman G.K. Butterfield at the Martin County EDC in Williamston, NC. RSVP required. Seats are limited.
AgDay at the NC Capitol: On June 23 the NC Agribusiness Council will host a series of events for NCAg members in Raleigh. Events include a breakfast with House and Senate Agriculture committee members, a luncheon with Council of State members and a legislative reception.
Small Grains Field Day will be held on May 18, Circle S Ranch, 1420 Lee Cooke Road in Monroe, N.C. The free event will include a canola variety evaluation, scab management in wheat plots, fungicide seed treatment and insecticide seed treatment evaluation, poultry litter application timings on wheat, top-dress additive evaluations (including nitrogen) on wheat, wheat variety plots, herbicide research plots, canola variety by seeding rates. There is also 2-hour NCDA pesticide credit on N, O, D and X, available for attending this meeting. For more information, call (704) 283-3801.
The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission will meet on Wednesday, May 19 at 10 a.m., NOAA/NCNERR Administration Building, 101 Pivers Island Rd., Beaufort. Contact: 733-2293, ext. 229.