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Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation® AG News Wire

Madison, WI(WFBF AG News Wire) -FARM BUREAU IS GROWING
Wisconsin's largest general farm organization saw its membership grow in 2009. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation ended its membership year in September with 42,465 members, an increase of 197 from the year prior. For the fourth straight year, Farm Bureau experienced growth in voting members, ending the membership year with 24,292, a gain of 330. Forty-four of the 61 county Farm Bureaus reported an increase in voting members. The largest increases came in Dane, Iowa and Manitowoc counties. For the full release, click here.

VILSACK SAYS DAIRY INDUSTRY MUST RESTRUCTURE
The struggling U.S. dairy industry must be restructured to avoid cycles of boom and bust, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Monday, less than a week after Congress announced a $350 million dairy bailout. "I think really what will be next in line is a longer term discussion about whether or not we need to make structural changes in the way the dairy industry is currently operated so we no longer have these rather stark contrasts between boom and bust," Vilsack said during a visit to South Dakota yesterday. Vilsack said he would like to get federal aid into farmers' hands as soon as possible. Under the deal announced last week, his department is responsible for distributing $290 million in direct support for dairy farmers. The other $60 million will cover purchases of surplus cheese and other dairy products to help raise prices. Food banks and other nutrition programs will get the goods. An advisory committee will recommend how to spend the money, Vilsack said. See the full Associated Press story.

GROWING SEASON COMES TO AN END IN HALF OF WISCONSIN
Bob Meyer of the Brownfield Network reports the growing season came to a screeching-halt in the northern half of Wisconsin last Wednesday morning. Reporters north of a line from Buffalo to Sheboygan counties report a killing frost. Forecasts say the rest of the state could see the same fate by this weekend. Most say the crops are mature enough to make it. As of Sunday, the Badger State corn crop is 90 percent dented and 33 percent mature compared to 95 percent dented and 65 percent mature on average for this date. The crop is rated 26 percent in fair condition, 63 percent good to excellent. Corn silage chopping was showed by the crop being too green, just 53 percent harvested compared to 80 percent normally chopped by this date. The killing frost should change that situation quickly. Soybeans are a bit behind normal as well, 96 percent are turning color compared to 98 percent usually turned by now. 73 percent are dropping leaves, 13 points behind the five-year average. 4 percent of the crop has been combined. Soybeans are rated 25 percent fair condition, 68 percent good to excellent shape. Good rainfall on Thursday helped improve the soil moisture profile in the southern two-thirds of the state. The three northern districts still have around 50 percent in the short to very short category. On average, the National Ag Statistics Service Wisconsin Field Office rates state soil moisture as 7 percent very short, 19 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus. Read the full NASS report

WATCH LAST WEEK'S UW FARMER PANEL
A video is available of last Thursday's panel discussion on the UW-Madison campus that WFBF President Bill Bruins participated in.  The talk was the first in a series of lectures titled "What to Eat." Joining Bruins on the panel were Louise Hemstead, an organic dairy farmer and Chief Operating Officer of Organic Valley Co-op; Tom Lochner, Executive Director of the WI State Cranberry Growers Association; and Richard Cates, member of DATCP Board and pasture-based beef farmer. The video of their dialogue is available in two locations: http://www.vimeo.com/6910053 and http://www.wiseye.org/wisEye_programming/ARCHIVES-forums.html#2655  For information on the full What to Eat series, go to http://gobigread.cias.wisc.edu and click on the What to Eat link.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A study being released today claims that some of the healthiest, most nutrient-rich foods are also some of the most likely to make you sick. Leafy greens, tomatoes and berries all made the list of most likely to cause foodborne illness. The list only includes foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Read more in the Washington Post

TWO-THIRDS OF PRODUCERS CONCERNED ABOUT AG ECONOMY
Close to two-thirds of farmers and ranchers continue to be concerned about both the overall agriculture economy and their individual farm's outlook, according to a survey by Rabobank. The outlook for economic recovery has worsened slightly when compared to the previous survey period, the survey finds. The Rural Confidence Index, which is calculated as the percentage expecting the agricultural economy to improve minus percentage expecting conditions to worsen over the next 12 months indicates that the confidence in the U.S. agricultural economy remains low at this point in time, as there are proportionately more farmers who are pessimistic than are farmers who are optimistic. According to the survey, 30 percent of farmers and ranchers very concerned and 31 percent extremely concerned, with another 34 percent saying they are somewhat concerned. Regardless of acreage, U.S. producers are more distressed regarding their income. Approximately 40 percent of those surveyed believe their income will be worse next year. However, 27 percent of respondents have some optimism that their income will improve. See the Rabobank survey

MICHIGAN'S GOVERNOR EXPECTED TO SIGN ANIMAL CONFINEMENT BILL
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm is expected to sign a bill passed by the state's legislature that requires that farm animals confined in small spaces have enough room to fully extend their limbs. The bill applies to egg-laying hens, pregnant pigs and veal calves. Commonly used cages for hens and stalls for pregnant pigs will be banned in about 10 years, while veal crates will be banned in three years. Michigan Farm Bureau backed the bill as a better alternative than the ballot proposal threatened by the Humane Society of the United States. Michigan is the second state to ban battery cages for chickens, the fifth to ban veal crates and the seventh to ban stalls for pregnant pigs. Read the Associated Press article

WISCONSIN HOLSTEIN REIGNS SUPREME AT EXPO
A five-year-old Holstein cow that resides in America's Dairyland is sitting atop the dairy world right now. Her name is Harvue Roy Frosty and on Saturday she was named the Supreme Champion at the finale of the World Dairy Expo in Madison. Frosty is kept in Rudolph, Wisconsin and was exhibited by Mike and Julie Duckett, Jim and Nancy Junemann, and Scott Armbrust. Classified as an Excellent 95, she completes six generations of Very Good and Excellent cows. Hot on her heels in the Reserve Supreme Champion slot was a Brown Swiss named Snickerdoodle from Virginia. The eleven-year-old iron grandma and show veteran is an eight-time class winner, six-time World Dairy Expo Brown Swiss Champion, and was named Supreme Champion in 2003 and Reserve Supreme Champion last year. For complete breed show results see http://www.worlddairyexpo.com/dcs.showresults.cfm

WORLD DAIRY EXPO: BY THE NUMBERS
Attendance was down (64,796 compared to last year's 68,317) but organizers say that number is comparable to the 10-year average. A total of 2,551 international guests arrived from 91 countries. The top five countries of international attendance were: Canada (355), Germany (184), Mexico (172), Japan (151), and the United Kingdom (140). The trade show area featured 752 companies from 24 countries. 912 dairy exhibitors from 35 states and seven Canadian provinces brought 2.607 of the continent's best show cattle to Madison. They included 760 Holsteins, 482 Jerseys, 382 Brown Swiss, 226 Red & White Holsteins, 235 Ayrshires, 213 Milking Shorthorns and 199 Guernseys. For a full listing of all news releases see http://www.worlddairyexpo.com/nws.main.cfm

CELLULOSIC BIOFUELS TO FALL SHORT OF MANDATES
The cellulosic biofuel industry will fall far short of mandated production levels over the next few years, according to ClimateWire. The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking a new renewable fuels standard (RFS) that will increase mandated cellulosic and advanced biofuels use to 21 billion gallons by 2022. However, frozen credit markets, ineffective federal loan programs and lagging federal policies, will result in production falling far short of what was mandated. "The current economic climate almost makes the RFS a moot point for the time being," said Matt Carr, policy director for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), which estimates that 2010 volumes will, optimistically, reach 12 million gallons, far short of the 100 million-gallon mandate. EPA is working to finalize the mandate by the end of this year to take effect in 2010, but said it is also considering delaying the rules by as much as a year, which the petroleum refining and blending industry wants.

CORN FARMERS DEMONSTRATE SUSTAINABLE AG IN NEW VIDEO
A new National Corn Growers Association video on the subject of increasing sustainability in agriculture made its debut last weekend on the television program This Week in Agribusiness. The short video features family farmers telling the story of how better management and modern technology spells good news for both consumers and the environment. "The only thing as important as growing a crop and getting a fair price is doing so in a way that is socially responsible and assures opportunities for the next generation of farmers and consumers," said Darrin Ihnen, NCGA president and South Dakota corn grower. The video notes that every day on planet Earth we grow by over 200,000 people. That is 150 new people every minute. In the next 40 years our global population will exceed 9 billion people, up from 6.7 billion people today. "Luckily, family farmers are making rapid progress toward meeting the needs of a growing world and doing it with the environment in mind. Sustainability isn't some buzz word or novelty for a corn grower. We are living this every day and trying to do a better job with each crop we grow," Ihnen said. You can view the video online at: http://ncga.com/sustainability.

STAPLE FOOD PRICES TRENDING DOWN FROM ONE YEAR AGO
Retail food prices at the supermarket decreased slightly for the fourth consecutive quarter and are significantly lower than one year ago, according to the latest American Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Survey. The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare a meal was $46.03, down 26 cents from the second quarter of 2009 and $4.18 lower or about 10 percent less compared to one year ago. Of the 16 items surveyed, nine decreased and seven increased in average price compared to the prior quarter. Shredded cheddar cheese, ground chuck, whole milk, vegetable oil and Russet potatoes declined the most in price from quarter-to-quarter. Shredded cheddar cheese dropped 23 cents to $4.08 per pound, ground chuck dropped 17 cents to $2.65 per pound, whole milk dropped 14 cents to $2.87 per gallon, vegetable oil dropped 13 cents to $2.72 for a 32-oz. bottle and Russet potatoes dropped 11 cents to $2.65 for a 5-pound bag. "Consumers continue to benefit from modest, steady declines in retail food prices at the grocery store. From a nutritional perspective, it's important to note that our volunteer shoppers found significantly lower retail prices for several protein-rich foods that are staples in the diet of most Americans, including milk, cheese, eggs and ground beef, compared to one year ago," said Jim Sartwelle, AFBF economist. See the AFBF news release

EPA OFFICIAL VISITS FARM FOR FIRST TIME
The American Farm Bureau website features a column about an official from the Environmental Protection Agency visiting a farm for the first time at the urging of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa. The farm state lawmaker has been vocal about the potential problem of regulators, particularly from the EPA, who have not seen a farm operation firsthand. Likewise, farmers have reason to worry that people who don't understand agriculture will be making rules for them to follow.

DAIRY MANAGEMENT TEAMS NOW AVAILABLE; FARMERS URGED TO APPLY FOR PILOT PROGRAM
A new pilot program will pair Wisconsin dairy farmers with management teams at a nominal fee, offering a chance to boost profitability with the help of experts. The Dairy Farm Management Team program will provide up to $2,000 to cover such costs as consultant fees and agronomic, milk quality, or veterinary testing, with a matching 10 percent share from the farmer. Capital expenses are not eligible. The program will work with any herd size or set-up, anywhere in the state. Participating producers will work with a facilitator, who will bring together a team of professionals tailored to the farm's individual situation. During three meetings, the team will help the farmer develop a strategy, make decisions, and plan long term for technology adoption, growth, financial success and sustainability. Funding is available for 50 pilot teams in 2009, and applications will be accepted until funds run out. More information and application materials are available at www.growwisconsindairy.org.

WISCONSIN-MINNESOTA TAX RECIPROCITY ENDS
We're not sure if it has anything to do with our raging border battle over football. However, approximately 33,500 Wisconsinites and 13,000 Minnesotans who work in their neighboring state will have to start filing two state tax returns next year. That's because Minnesota officials scrapped a tax reciprocity agreement between the two states. Cooperative Network recently reported that because more than twice as many Wisconsinites work in Minnesota, the Badger State makes annual payments to Minnesota to compensate for the amount the state would have received by taxing Wisconsin residents. The payments are not made until 17 months after the taxes are collected. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty in June asked Wisconsin to speed up the payments, looking for $105 million in earlier payments to help balance his state's budget. Despite high-level talks, no mutual agreement on the payment schedule resulted. Ending this tax-exchange program, which has been around since 1967, will not affect the 42-year-old college tuition reciprocity agreement between the two states. Under the college pact, students who cross the border pay roughly the same tuition as state residents. Officials negotiated a new tuition deal in 2007.

UW-MADISON HOSTS VILSACK, GORE THIS WEEK
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, former Vice President Al Gore, and a slew of environmental journalists will all be in Madison this week, click here to find out why.

ARE YOU A FOODIE?
You know who you are, and for those who aren't sure, a ‘foodie' is a new name for an aficionado of food and drink. The American Farm Bureau has a great website that caters to this growing crowd. Check it out at www.fb.org/foodie

RURAL BOUNTY WEB SITE A HIT FOR AGRITOURISM CROWD
Agritourism continues to gain popularity as urban and suburban residents seek to take a break from the hustle of city life for the tranquility of rural life. It's a great way for people disconnected from the farm to gain firsthand appreciation for farming. For farms, farmers' markets and other rural-based businesses, the Internet is a key way to reach agritourists. One of the best known and most popular of these sites is www.ruralbounty.com. Check it out.

NUMBER OF FARMERS MARKETS GROWS TO MORE THAN 5,200 NATIONWIDE
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the number of farmers markets in the United States is up more than 13 percent from a year ago. A recent update of the online Farmers Market Directory lists 5,274 markets nationwide, up from 4,685 reported in 2008. Since USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) began to track farmers markets in 1994, the number has grown by nearly 4,000 nationwide. A national directory of farmers markets is available at www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets

STUDY SAYS CLIMATE CHANGE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SOUTHEASTERN DROUGHT
Population growth, not global warming, should be blamed for the drought that devastated the southeastern United States from 2005 to 2007, according to an article released yesterday in The Journal of Climate. According to Columbia University researchers, census figures indicate that in Georgia alone the population rose from 6.48 million in 1990 to 9.54 million in 2007. "At the root of the water supply problem in the Southeast is a growing population," they wrote. There had been lingering speculation that climate change was responsible for the water shortage, according to Richard Seager, a climate expert at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory who led the study. But after examining data from weather instruments, computer models and measurements of tree rings, which reflect yearly rainfall, "our conclusion was this drought was pretty normal and pretty typical by standards of what has happened in the region over the century," he said. Read more in the New York Times

EUROPEAN FARMERS' ANGER SPILLS INTO THE STREETS OF BRUSSELS
After months of complaints by European dairy farmers angry over low prices, protesters in Brussels on Monday poured milk onto the streets, hurled eggs and other missiles, and started fires that filled the air with black smoke. Police helicopters hovered overhead as hundreds of tractors - and some cows - blockaded the area outside the European Union's headquarters while agriculture ministers met in an emergency meeting. The gathering of ministers, convened after pressure from France, failed to produce any breakthroughs apart from a decision to set up a committee to report on the dairy industry in June. See more in the New York Times

BALTIMORE SCHOOLS BEGIN ‘MEATLESS MONDAYS'
Established in 2003, the Meatless Monday campaign is now boasting of its first success. The Baltimore City Public Schools system is the first in the United States to pledge to serve no meat on Mondays. The move means 80-thousand students have no meat option on Mondays. According to the school's web site, today's menu includes an entrée selection of mini ravioli or grilled cheese and a side selection including mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes and fresh fruit. Janet Riley, senior vice president of public affairs for the American Meat Institute says for young adults who are working to maintain a healthy body weight, meat is an important part of the diet because it's nutrition-dense and helps with a feeling of satisfaction. Riley adds, "We believe that students should be free to choose whether or not they wish to consume meat, instead of simply removing it from the menu and depriving them of that choice."

BUT IN FLORIDA THERE IS DEMAND FOR HORSE MEAT
The USA Today says South Florida is home to many people from other cultures that eat horse meat as part of their diet, and that's led to an illegal horse meat market there.

SOUTH DAKOTA RANCHER USES LOTTERY WINNINGS TO BUY A BIG PIECE OF LAND
Neal Wanless, a young South Dakota rancher who won a $232.1 million Powerball prize four months ago, apparently is pursuing his dream of riding his horse and tending cattle on a spread a bit bigger than his 320-acre family ranch. Wanless, who took the prize in an $88.5 million lump sum after taxes, has bought more than 23 square miles of western South Dakota for roughly $9.9 million, according to three deeds recorded in Butte County. When Wanless claimed his lottery winnings June 5, he said he wanted to continue doing what he had been doing on the family ranch located 11 miles east of Mission in impoverished Todd County in south-central South Dakota. Read the full story at the Cattlenetwork