EPA Keeps Renewable Fuels Levels in Place After Considering State Requests 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the agency has not found evidence to support a finding of severe "economic harm" that would warrant granting a waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The decision is based on economic analyses and modeling done in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

"We recognize that this year's drought has created hardship in some sectors of the economy, particularly for livestock producers," said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "But our extensive analysis makes clear that Congressional requirements for a waiver have not been met and that waiving the RFS will have little, if any, impact."

To support the waiver decision, EPA conducted several economic analyses. Economic analyses of impacts in the agricultural sector, conducted with USDA, showed that on average waiving the mandate would only reduce corn prices by approximately one percent. Economic analyses of impacts in the energy sector, conducted with DOE, showed that waiving the mandate would not impact household energy costs.

EPA found that the evidence and information failed to support a determination that implementation of the RFS mandate during the 2012-2013 time period would severely harm the economy of a State, a region, or the United States, the standard established by Congress in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct).

Click here to read more.  

Ethanol Producers, Feedstock Growers Applaud RFS Waiver Denial 

Several ethanol industry groups and corn and sorghum producers lauded the EPA for denying a waiver of Renewable Fuel Standard. In the decision that was handed down Friday, the EPA concluded that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that the RFS would cause severe "economic harm," the trigger for such a waiver.

"Growth Energy has continually advocated that the current conditions fall short of the threshold required to modify the RFS and that the market is working," said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.  "Furthermore, granting a waiver on the evidence presented by the obligated parties would have sent the wrong signal the investment community, whose participation is vital to the reducing our dependence on foreign oil, creating jobs in the US that cannot be outsourced, improving our environment and saving consumers at the pump."  You can read more of his comments by clicking here.

Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association also hailed the waiver denial. 

"We applaud the EPA for basing its decision on thoughtful analysis of the facts and not emotion or panic. The RFS is working as designed."  Click here for more from Bob Dinneen.

The heads of the National Corn Growers Association and the National Sorghum Producers also supported the EPA decision.  Click on the organizations' names to read more.

Livestock Organizations Disappointed at EPA's Denial of RFS Waiver Request

The EPA's decision to deny formal requests made by the governors of several livestock-producing states for a waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard drew criticism and reactions of disappointment from livestock producers' organizations. Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, acknowledged hardships being suffered by livestock producers, but said the agency's analysis didn't warrant waiving the RFS.

J.D. Alexander, president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and a cattle feeder from Pilger, Neb., disagreed with the EPA analysis. 

"In light of the most widespread drought to face the country in more than 50 years, the refusal to grant this waiver is a blatant example of the flawed policy of the RFS.  The artificial support for corn ethanol provided for by the RFS is only making the situation worse for cattlemen and women by driving up feed costs."  You can read more from J.D. Alexander by clicking here.

In a statement released Friday, a coalition of livestock, poultry, and dairy producers said the RFS is broken.  "We are extremely frustrated and discouraged that EPA chose to ignore the clear economic argument from tens of thousands of family farmers and livestock and poultry producers that the food-to-fuel policy is causing and will cause severe harm to regions in which those farmers and producers operate."  You can read more of their statement by clicking here. 

In a sharp denunciation of the EPA, Joe Parker, Jr., president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Ranchers Association said, "It's truly unbelievable that a government agency would ignore the fact that we are facing a dire corn shortage in this country. "By continuing to mandate that 40 percent of the very small U.S. corn crop go directly toward ethanol production, the government is escalating an already dire situation by bolstering an artificial market that will further push some ranching families out of business."  Click here for more from Joe Parker.  

Antibiotic Use, Resistance Calls for Collaborative 'One Health' Approach

The message emerging from the ''A One Health Approach to Antimicrobial Use & Resistance: A Dialogue for a Common Purpose'' symposium, Nov. 13-15, in Columbus, Ohio, was clear: Antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance are the responsibility of all communities - human health, animal health and environmental health - and solutions will require collaboration of these health communities.

At the end of the three-day symposium, which was coordinated by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, presenters and participants agreed on numerous points: 

• Antibiotics dramatically improve human, animal and plant health, and increase life expectancy.
• Antimicrobial resistance is not going to go away. A historical look at antimicrobial resistance shows antimicrobial resistance is not a new phenomenon but existed before mankind.
• The topic of antimicrobial resistance can be subtle, complex, difficult and polarizing. It is more than science and evidence. It's about politics, behavior, economics and conflicting opinions.
• Antimicrobial resistance is not merely a consequence of use; it's a consequence of use and misuse-and each community-animal health, human health or environmental health - is responsible for antibiotic stewardship.
• The finger pointing and blame for antimicrobial resistance need to end. The time has come to work together.

''Finding a solution is not about compromise; it's about reaching agreement,'' stated Dr. Lonnie King, Dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Click here to read more.  

Armyworm Video Helps Wheat Producers Identify, Solve Problems

There are several species of armyworms which can present serious problems in wheat. Dr. Tom Royer, Oklahoma State University Extension Entomologist, has prepared a new video presentation on armyworms and their control.

Of particular concern currently are fall armyworms which attack from planting through frost. Royer says the infestation actually happens in the late summer and early fall. Populations can build rapidly.

The larval stage is from 21-28 days in length. This is when the worms feed and damage the crop. Royer says the larvae feed on leaves and crowns and can cause stand loss if not managed properly. The first evidence of damage is "window paning" on the plants' leaves.

The good news with fall armyworm is that a killing frost will end the infestation. Armyworms are not capable of overwintering in Oklahoma.

To read more on controlling armyworms and cutworms or to view Tom Royer's video, click here. 

Food Dialogues Bring Consumers, Producers Together

U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) hosted the New York Food Dialogues on Nov. 15. Farmers, ranchers, industry experts, pundits and media attended the in-depth conversations on today's most provocative topics concerning food and its production - antibiotics, biotechnology, and media, marketing and healthy food choices.

Bob Stallman is the president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. He is also the chairman of the board of the USFRA. He recently talked with me about the concept of bringing together the broadest spectrum of food producers together under one table as possible. He says the overarching goal is to get as much information as possible to consumers on how our food is grown. The project is so enormous, he says, that it couldn't be accomplished by any one group acting individually.

"American Farm Bureau tried on our own to do this with a three-year program, but we weren't big enough, we didn't have the resources, and we didn't have the scope necessary to move the needle, if you will, on consumers' attitudes toward how we raise and grow food.

"By pooling all of our resources and coming up with a common strategy, common messaging, understanding what the research tells us to do. We're much more able to impact that needle in terms of moving it in our favor with consumers' greater trust in U.S. agriculture."

You can read more on our home page or listen to the full interview with Bob Stallman.  

Cattle on Feed Numbers Fall 5% as Fewer and Fewer Cattle Can be Found to be Fed

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.254 million head on Nov. 1, 2012. The inventory was 5% below Nov. 1, 2011 and 17,000 below the average trade guess in advance of the report.

Placements in feedlots during October totaled 2.180 million, 13% below 2011 and just 1,000 cattle more than the average trade guess in advance of the report. This is the lowest cattle placements for the month of October since the series began in 1996. Net placements were 2.10 million head.

During October, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 680,000, 600 to 699 pounds were 505,000, 700 to 799 pounds were 435,000 and 800 pounds and greater were 560,000.

Our own Keith Merkyx talked with Tom Leffler on Friday afternoon about the numbers- and you can here his comments on the numbers by clicking here.