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Final agricultural export figures are in for calendar year 2011- and both the value and volume of US agricultural producers rose in 2011 versus 2010. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement regarding data released on Friday morning showing U.S. farm exports reached a record $136.3 billion in calendar year 2011:


"The data released today by USDA represents a record-breaking calendar year for farm exports, demonstrating-once again-that American agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation's economy. We saw a rise in both the value and volume of U.S. agricultural exports worldwide in 2011, as international sales rose $20.5 billion over the previous record set in calendar year 2010. Total agricultural exports for calendar year 2011 were a robust $136.3 billion.


"These figures indicate how demand for the American brand of agriculture continues to soar worldwide, supporting good jobs for Americans across a variety of industries such as transportation, renewable energy, manufacturing, food services, and on-farm employment. During the past three years, the U.S. farm sector has continued to support and create jobs on a consistent basis, strengthening an American economy that's built to last. Every $1 billion in agricultural exports supports 8,400 American jobs, meaning that U.S. farm exports helped support more than 1 million U.S. jobs in 2011."

Click here to read more about record U.S. 2011 farm exports.

USDA Looking at Different Path for FMD Response in the US 

Flying under the radar, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA is signaling a significant change in its response to a potential Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, recognizing that suppressing a widespread outbreak in a timely manner would be difficult to achieve, and too costly for both the industry and for the government.

We have not had a case of FMD in the US since the 1920s- but we have watched millions of animals destroyed in other countries like the United Kingdom in recent years in an effort to bring the disease under control.  

To this point, the plan on the books for the US is if FMD was discovered- to depopulate animals in an infected area- indemnify owners of those animals and attempt to control all movement in and out of infected areas.

You can read more or listen to Ron Hays speak with USDA Chief Vet Dr. John Clifford by clicking here.
 

USDA to Host First U.S.-China Agricultural Symposium

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that government and industry leaders from the United States and China will gather in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday, Feb. 16, for the first U.S.-China Agricultural Symposium. Vilsack traveled to China for the second time as Agriculture Secretary in November to continue to strengthen bilateral trade relations and support the American brand of agriculture throughout the Asia Pacific region. During the visit, Vilsack and Chinese officials developed the U.S.-China Agriculture Symposium as a key forum to expand their discussions into 2012 and beyond.

"I'm honored to welcome China's Vice President Xi Jinping and Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu to the United States, where we may continue our in-depth dialogue on issues of mutual concern," said Vilsack. "Thanks to the productivity of American farmers, ranchers and producers, consumers in China recognize the United States as a reliable supplier of high-quality food and agricultural products. Strengthening our partnership with China's growing market is integral to the strength of the U.S. economy in the decades ahead."

In 2011, China moved into the top spot as the number one market for U.S. agricultural goods, purchasing $20 billion in U.S. agricultural exports. The value of U.S. farm exports to China supported more than 160,000 American jobs in 2011, on and off the farm across a variety of sectors.

To read more about the U.S.-China Agricultural Symposium, click here. 

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Applauds Whitson's OSU Career

Following the recent resignation announcement of Oklahoma State University's Vice President, Dean and Director of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, farmers and ranchers are reflecting on the impressive OSU career of Robert Whitson.         
        
"We greatly appreciate his leadership and vision," said Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling. "I consider Bob a close friend and I will miss his wit and wisdom."
        
Since 2005, Whitson has served as dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and also vice president/director of the two state agencies administered through the division: the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.  

You can read more of Oklahoma Farm Bureau's comments on Robert Whitson's contributions by clicking here. 

National Cotton Council Predicts Ten Percent Fewer Cotton Acres in Oklahoma for 2012

A significant reduction in 2012 cotton acreage is expected for Oklahoma, according to the National Cotton Council producer planting intention survey reported on at the NCC's annual meeting held this past weekend in Fort Worth, Texas.


Oklahoma acreage is showing a 10 percent decrease as acres are moving to wheat. Acreage is expected to drop under the 400,000 acre level to 374,000 acres likely to be planted this spring. Southwest growers are indicating the smallest percentage decline with 5.3 percent fewer acres, lowering the regional total to 7.62 million acres. In aggregate, Kansas growers indicated essentially no net change in cotton area as the state total is expected to retain at 80,000 acres. For Texas, respondents intend to reduce area by 5.1 percent. The relatively small drop in area could reflect the ongoing drought concerns and the need to maintain acres in a relatively drought-tolerant crop. Expected acres to be planted by Texas cotton producers will come in around 7,166,000 acres.


NCC Vice President Gary Adams said, "'Final production will be very dependent on weather developments, particularly in the soutbwestern US. If conditions worsen, we could see the US crop be two million bales lower than early-season expectations."

Click here for more on the planting intentions report released by the Cotton Council this past Saturday in Ft. Worth- we have details of cotton planting expectations for the rest of the cotton belt for you to review.

OCM Blasts NCBA for Supporting Elimination of Livestock Title In 2012 Farm Bill

The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) expressed its dismay at a recent announcement by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) that it intends to oppose the inclusion of a livestock title in the next farm bill.

OCM President Fred Stokes stated; "OCM and allied organizations have worked hard to get the livestock title included in the farm bill so that independent producers might have fair and competitive markets and a fighting chance at survival. This action makes it very clear whose interest NCBA represents. NCBA has become a powerful political force through the tens of millions of dollars they receive from the beef check-off each year and in exchange they have worked to the detriment of the interests of those paying the check-off."

Following their annual meeting, NCBA announced that its top priority in 2012 Farm Bill is to eliminate the livestock title, as stated by its Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Kristina Butts. Both Butts, as well as lead lobbyist for NCBA, Colin Woodall, told us in Nashville that they saw little positive come out of the Livestock Title in the 2008 Farm Bill- and believe that the cattle industry would be better served without a livestock title in the 2012 farm policy as it is developed.

Click here to read more of OCM's comments about the NCBA's position on the livestock title. 

USDA Offers Mobile Access and More Efficient Online Tools for Farmers and Ranchers

Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse announced today a package of technology enhancements from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) that include Web access for handheld and smartphone users, as well as a more efficient and timely option for receiving news and critical program information. The technology improvements will allow users of FSA information to gain access to easy-to-read data, including key features such as loan deficiency payment (LDP) rates, posted county prices (PCP), FSA news releases and AskFSA, the agency's online self-help knowledge base.

Today's announcement by FSA underscores USDA's Blueprint for Stronger Service, a plan introduced in January by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that takes a realistic view of the needs of American agriculture in a challenging budget climate, and lays out USDA's plans to modernize and accelerate service delivery while improving the customer experience through use of innovative technologies and business solutions.

"As an increasing number of farmers and ranchers move to mobile devices and other high-tech tools, we need to keep pace by investing in the best possible customer service while making the best use of taxpayer resources," Scuse said. "The mobile website is an added convenience for farmers and ranchers and an effective, efficient way for USDA to deliver news, program information and reliable guidance on a variety of agricultural issues. And investments in technology help USDA continue to make other, more significant investments in rural America, preserving the success of U.S. agriculture in the long term."

You can read more about USDA's mobile access and online tools for farmers by clicking here.