September 27, 2010
From a modest beginning in 1926, Mt. Olive Pickle Company, Inc. has grown to become the second best selling brand of pickles in the country. We?ve done it by focusing on quality products, creating a place where folks like to come to work each day, and nurturing our hometown roots. Located at the Corner of Cucumber & Vine in Mount Olive, NC, Mt.Olive manufactures a full line of pickles, peppers and relishes, with distribution in all 50 states. Look for recipes, pickle history and more on our website.
WashingtonNEWS
Troxler Writes NC Congressmen, Urging Support for Pesticide Bills: NC Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler wrote each member of the NC Congressional Delegation last week asking for their support of H.R.6087and S.3735. “House Bill 6087 is much needed legislation to correct a judicial opinion in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals that will cause more problems and expenses for entities requesting pesticide applications in, over or near surface waters. Senate Bill 3735 will amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to prevent the regulation of pesticide use by another statute, the Clean Water Act. Enactment of this bill will allow the use of pesticides in agricultural, forestry, and aquatic operations without the need of a Clean Water Act permit as long as the pesticide is being used in accordance with FIFRA labeling requirements. NCDA&CS submitted comments to EPA in July outlining concerns over the permitting requirements and has been working closely with NC DENR in the development of a NC NPDES Pesticide General Permit. The new federal permitting program is scheduled to take effect in April 2011.
Comments Needed for EPAPesticideUseCounty Bulletins: EPA has issued a call for public comments and will be accepting comments until September 27, 2010on the endangered species protection program (ESPP) bulletin process. This process directly affects the grower community and the agricultural industry. EPA has recently developed web-based, county bulletins to be referenced on product labels to implement endangered species protection program (ESPP)-related restrictions. EPA has developed the draft bulletins in an ad hoc fashion without a transparent and well-defined process for collecting and fairly evaluating comments of the product registrants, relevant state regulatory authorities, and the affected grower community. Since the bulletins contain detailed maps outlining habitat areas for protection and include a number of highly specific restrictions to be applied, such a lack of attention to process is inexcusable and likely to lead to bulletins containing serious errors and unworkable instructions.EPA is urgedto act nowon the industry petition to develop standardized, transparent procedures for ESPP bulletins through a public “notice and comment” process before taking these intended restrictions any further.
Biodiesel Tax Credit Fails in Senate: Senator Chuck Grassley’s, R-Iowa, effort to pass the biodiesel tax credit failed in the Senate by a vote of 41-58. Grassley hoped to suspend regular rules and pass a short-term extension of the expired tax credit but didn’t get the two-thirds vote required. Wanting to pass the small business lending bill, most Democrats blocked Grassley’s amendment. Grassley expressed anger saying that partisan politics are the reason workers in the biodiesel industry will be laid off at a time when most senators favor the legislation but are letting larger issues take precedence.
Campaign NEWS
McIntyre Endorsement: U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre has received the endorsement of The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Political Action Committee Board of Directors. McIntyre is running againstIlario Pantano, a former Marine and veteran of the Iraq war for NC’s 7th Congressional District seat. McIntyre is a senior member of the House Committee on Armed Services and was named “National Legislator of the Year” for veterans in 2008 by the National Association of County Veterans’ Service Officers.
Marshall Gets Nod From National Democrats: The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which previously backed Cal Cunningham, is standing behind Elaine Marshall in her campaign against U.S. Sen. Richard Burr. Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow appeared at a fundraiser in Charlotte with Marshall on Friday, saying that they didn’t get it right during the primary but now are giving Marshall their support.
Burr Honored as Guardian of Small Business by NFIB: The National Federation of Independent Business named U.S. Senator Richard Burr a Guardian of Small Business for his outstanding voting record on behalf of America’s small business owners in the 111th Congress. NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner praised Senator Burr for “standing up for small business.”
Business NEWS
NC Ports Named Top 16 U.S. Container Port: Data from the global trade and logistics publication, The Journal of Commerce (JOC), ranks North Carolina’s ports as Top 16 in U.S imports and Top 18 among U.S. exports. Export volumes at NC’s ports increased 47.2% over fiscal year 2008-2009 while import volumes increased 26.3% over that same time period. The latest data from PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions, a sister company of The Journal of Commerce, was recently released for fiscal year 2009-2010 listing the latest rankings for U.S container ports based on market share.
“North Carolina ports, which had the biggest increase in both imports and exports over the period, benefited from new services from Maersk Line and Independent Container Lines, which switched trans-Atlantic calls there from Richmond,” wrote Peter Leach of the JOC.
Plant in Roxboro Lays of 118: The Georgia-Pacific plant in Roxboro has laid off 118 employees. Operations at the plant had been cut back in June and July due to an anticipated slowdown. The company said that the layoffs are only temporary but gave no time frame for reinstating the employees.
200 Jobs to BurkeCounty: Gov. Bev Perdue welcomed the announcement of a joint venture known as the Carolina Artisan Group that will create 200 jobs in Valdese. The joint venture is a partnership between Art Van Furniture, Michigan’s largest furniture retailer, and Kellex Corporation, a furniture manufacturer in BurkeCounty. The partnership will continuously design and develop quality custom and semi-custom living room and family room seating. For the launch, all furniture produced in BurkeCounty by the Carolina Artisan Group will be sold exclusively by Art Van Furniture.
Fuel & Energy NEWS
USDA Report Shows Improving Corn-Ethanol Energy Efficiency:A USDA report that surveyed corn growers in 2005 and ethanol plants in 2008 indicates the net energy gain from converting corn to ethanol is improving in efficiency. Titled “2008 Energy Balance for the Corn-Ethanol Industry,” the report surveyed ethanol producers about ethanol yield (undenatured) per bushel of corn and energy used in ethanol plants. According to the report, overall, ethanol has made the transition from an energy sink (more energy used than energy produced), to a moderate net energy gain in the 1990s, to a substantial net energy gain in the present. And there are still prospects for improvement. Ethanol yields have increased by about 10 percent in the last 20 years, so proportionately less corn is required. In addition to refinements in ethanol technology, corn yields have increased by 39 percent over the last 20 years, requiring less land to produce ethanol. To see the full report go to
USDA NEWS
USDA Opens New Agricultural Trade Office in China: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the opening of a new Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) in Shenyang, the capital of northwest China’s international trade hub in Liaoning province. The opening of this Agricultural Trade Office on mainland China marks USDA’s expansion into the dynamic hub of northeast China and reflects the Administration’s National Export Initiative, which aims to double American exports in the next five years. China is the second largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, importing roughly $13 billion worth of U.S. agricultural products in fiscal year 2009. In addition to continued demand for traditional products such as soybeans and cotton, there has also been strong demand for high-value and high-quality products such as meat and consumer-oriented products including wine and beer.
Drought NEWS
Drought Conditions in More Counties: The latest federal drought map shows dry conditions are spreading across NC. The number of counties now experiencing drought conditions has grown to 74 counties, an increase of 30 from last week. Moderate drought is now affecting 67 counties. Severe drought is covering seven counties and 26 are abnormally dry. Below normal rainfall is affecting streamflows, lakes, reservoirs, and soil moisture. Voluntary water conservation measures are in effect in 160 water systems and 86 have put mandatory restrictions in place.
Commodity NEWS
Smithfield’s Tar Heel Plant Exporting to Mexico Again, Russia Suspends Imports: Smithfield Packing Co.’s Tar Heel, N.C. slaughterhouse is now eligible to export to Mexico after the country recently lifted the ban. The ban covered product produced from Aug. 13 through Sept. 12. Meanwhile, Russia has suspended imports from Smithfield’s Tar Heel, N.C., and Clinton, N.C., plants, citing excessive amounts of antibiotics in product. Both plants have been deemed ineligible to export after Sept. 28.
Pork in Freezers Continue Decline, Poultry Slightly Up: USDAS’s monthly Cold Storage Report shows pork supplies in freezers were down 2 percent from the prior month and down 27 percent from last year as of Aug. 31. Pork bellies dropped 68 percent from the previous month and down 86 percent from last year. Poultry supplies were up 2 percent over the previous month but still 8 percent below last year’s level. Chicken stocks were up 4 percent over last month and 8 percent over last year. Turkey supplies dropped 1 percent a over a month ago and 24 percent over a year ago.
NCDA NEWS
NCDA&CS Awarded Specialty Crop Grant: NCDA&CS was awarded $1,147,731.84 through USDA’s block grants to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. 54 grants totaling approximately $55 million and will fund 827 projects, a 10 percent increase over last year.
Troxler Encourages Farmers to Have Corn Tested for Aflatoxin: Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging farmers to have their corn tested for aflatoxin to prevent contamination of feeds and food. Aflatoxin is a byproduct of the mold aspergillus flavus, and can be harmful to both humans and livestock. “it’s worth a farmer’s time and effort to have their corn tested,” Troxler said. Some farmers may need to have corn samples tested for crop insurance purposes. These samples must be submitted by an insurance adjuster to a grain marketing location certified by USDA. The tests cost $22.20. Aflatoxin tests for feeding purposes are free. For information on submitting samples and locations, go to
Mark Your Calendar
N.C. MarketReady Fresh Produce Safety – Field to Family is an N.C. Cooperative Extension program that educates fruit and vegetable growers about measures to minimize food safety risks. The program's training consists of nine modules broken into Tier 1 and Tier 2. The N.C. Fresh Produce Safety Task Force will conduct the Tier 2 training workshops. For more information, contact Mark Seitz, 252-448-9621 ext. 225 or . October 12 – 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mountain Research Station, 265 Test Farm Road, Waynesville.
The Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund Advisory Committee will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, at the EaddyAgronomicBuilding, 4300 Reedy Creek Road. The meeting is open to the public. More information is available at
The State Farmers Market has a full calendar of events and activities to celebrate North Carolina’s bounty of fall crops over the coming months: The 25th annual Great Pumpkin Contest will be held Thursday, Oct. 7; live broadcast of WPTF Weekend Gardener Show, Saturday, Oct. 9 from 8 to 11 a.m.; Colossal Collard Day, Friday, Nov. 5; Fall Craft Fair Nov.12-14; Pecan DayFriday, Nov. 19; Week of Giving, December 5-11.
Farmers Adopting Computer Training Program is being offered by the North CarolinaCooperativeExtensionService-BladenCountyCenter and trains farm families the basics of operating a computer to using computers to improve farm management record keeping. The first five-week session begins October 5. Assistance with the registration fee is available. For more info call 910-862-4591.