According to two employees of the USDA's Economic Research Service
(ERS), the sustainable agriculture movement will continue to gain
momentum over the next decade as a result of increasing public
interest in sustainable food production systems. Skip Hyberg and
Parveen Setia say there has been concern for sustainability in
agricultural production for the last half a century. They use the
creation of the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) in the 1930s in
response to crop and soil loss as an example. They go on to say that
many other concerns have always been around such as concerns
about environmental conservation while continuing to produce food
and fiber, having economically viable farming operations and a
general consensus about what constitutes unsustainable production
and methodologies. The environmental, consumer and farming
organizations that have united around sustainability in agriculture
have been working on their definition of sustainability for many
years, which includes less pesticide and fertilizer use, more flexibility
in crop rotations, better management of crop residues and animal
waste and the integration of new techniques and natural control
systems. Hyberg and Setia say the adoption of the systems promoted
by these groups is a reflection of an overall move toward adopting
innovative and alternative practices.
Source: Skip Hyberg and Parveen Setia, "USDA Cites Common Ground
for Sustainable Agriculture," FEEDSTUFFS, October 17, 1994.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AS DEFINED BY AN ECONOMIST
Mike Duffy, Iowa State University extension economist, defined
sustainable agriculture for participants at Minnesota Tillage Field
Days held last month. Duffy said he prefers the definition provided
by the Iowa legislature in the 1987 Groundwater Protection Act,
which mandated the creation of the Leopold Center for Sustainable
Agriculture. The act defines sustainable agriculture as "the
appropriate use of crop and livestock systems and the agricultural
inputs supporting those activities which maintain economic and
social viability while preserving the high productivity and quality of
Iowa land." Duffy stressed that sustainable agriculture involves
appropriate use. "We're all different. Our farms are different. What
works for one farm may not work for another. What's sustainable
for one farm may not be sustainable for another." He said it is also
important to include both crop and livestock systems in sustainable
agriculture. All too often, he said, farmers only look at one or the
other. He pointed out that contrary to what some farmers believe,
sustainable agriculture as defined by the act does not eliminate the
use of inputs altogether. "It's looking at the mix we use and how we
go about using them," he said.
Although project after project has shown that sustainable systems do
work, Duffy said he is amazed that survey after survey shows
farmers are not using them. "We aren't talking about wild schemes.
We're talking about minor modifications that can make a big
difference." He added that getting farmers involved in sustainable
agriculture research projects is essential. He said the Leopold Center
runs their proposals through at least two farmers for approval before
going ahead. "Tell us what you think. If something isn't worthwhile,
let us know." He pointed out that Iowa farmers fund the Leopold
Center through a fertilizer tax. "It's your money. We better spend it
for your benefit."
Source: Jean Caspers-Simmet, "Economist Defines Sustainable
Agriculture," AGRI NEWS, October 6, 1994.
NACA CHANGES NAME TO ONE THAT IS KINDER AND GENTLER
The National Agricultural Chemicals Association announced in
September that it has changed its name to one that is kinder and
gentler. The new name is the American Crop Protection Association.
"Crop protection is more than who we are Q it is what we do," said
Jay Vroom, association president. "It connotes strength and health,
and signifies our continued commitment to the miracle of American
agriculture." He said the new name reinforces the role of synthetic
chemicals in agriculture and the future potential of biological and
genetically engineered products. This is the second name change for
the association, which was originally the Agricultural Insecticide and
Fungicide Association in 1933 when it was founded. Today, 80
companies representing more than 95% of the country's agriculture
chemical manufacturers are members of the association.
Source: "Association Drops TChemicals' From Title," THE PACKER,
September 26, 1994.
CALIFORNIA PASSES BIOS BILL
In late September, the California legislature passed a bill (AB 3383)
that calls for a reduction in the use of chemicals in agriculture. Also
included in the bill is a provision that calls for the integration of
biological controls in agriculture. Known as BIOS, the law provides
funding for up to five pilot projects focusing on the different
commodities produced in the state. Farmers will receive technical
assistance and financial incentives to replace synthetic chemicals
with biological controls. "This law will help satisfy the curiosity of a
lot of growers who are wondering about how they might decrease
their chemical use," said Mark Chandler of the Lodi-Woodbridge
Grape Commission. The law also has the support of the California
Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF). "AB 3383 gives farmers options to
the use of agricultural chemicals instead of just taking their
production tools away with no recourse," said Cynthia Cory of CFBF.
The bill was modeled after the Community Alliance with Family
Farmers' BIOS projects, which have producers and extension working
together on biological controls.
Source: "BIOS Bill Passes Q New Era for Ag Begins!" AGRARIAN
ADVOCATE, October/November 1994.
STUDY SAYS TOO MANY AMERICANS DRINKING HERBICIDES WITH
THEIR TAP WATER
A study released last month by the Environmental Working Group
(EWG) concluded that 14.1 million Americans are drinking unhealthy
doses of potentially carcinogenic herbicides in their tap water. The
chemicals of concern in the study were atrazine, cyanazine, alachlor,
metolachlor and simazine. The study tested 15,000 drinking water
samples from about a dozen states. Of the 23 cities with more than
25,000 people studied, Springfield, Illinois had the most
contaminated water. Atrazine was the most commonly found
herbicide. In the Midwest alone, more than 3.5 million people drink
water with herbicides that exceed more than 10 times the federal
level. The 3.5 million includes the populations of cities such as
Kansas City (Missouri and Kansas); Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, IN,
Columbus, OH, and Omaha, NE.
EWG said it focused on so-called Corn Belt states as the herbicides it
looked at are commonly used on corn and soybeans. The study took
the government's strictest risk standards for food and applied them
to water. "We should have one standard and it should be the one
most protective of public health," said Richard Wiles, author of the
study. One criticism in the study is that existing standards do not
reflect multiple exposures at times of the year when chemicals are
being applied, like the spring. "I don't think people like to consider a
drink of water a drink of weed killer," said Kenneth Cook of the EWG.
George Rolofson, a spokesperson for Ciba-Geigy, manufacturer of
atrazine, said he had not yet seen the report but questioned the
EWG's use of the strictest risk standard. "I think they're misusing it
here. We think this misrepresents the whole process" of establishing
safe levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cautioned
consumers not to worry. "Most drinking water systems in this
country are well regulated and by and large monitored frequently,"
said EPA Administrator Carol Browner. "But," she added, "this study
is another in a series of wake-up calls that tells us we can no longer
take for granted that our drinking water is safe all the time." She
noted that steps have been taken to reduce the use of chemicals
identified in the study and one is under special review, which may
eventually lead to its cancellation. "We're working for zero detection,
zero presence for our products in drinking water," said Ciba
spokesperson Steve Powell. "We do not feel there's cause for alarm,"
said Adele Logan of the newly named American Crop Protection
Association. However, she conceded that herbicide residues do show
up in water, particularly after spring rains and particularly in the
Midwest.
Officials in the cities targeted by the report found themselves
defending their water systems in its wake. The study said the water
in the Minnesota city of Mankato has the second highest cancer risk
among larger cities while Granite Falls ranked 27th among smaller
cities. Mankato and Granite Falls officials said their water is safe and
criticized the study. "These things are blurted out in headlines and
front pages to cause some sort of uproar and scare people," said
George Rosati, Mankato's utility superintendent. In Granite Falls,
water plant supervisor Darrell Updall said the plant meets all EPA
standards. A representative of the Minnesota State Health
Department said, "We spend $1.5 million a year testing for pesticides
and we just aren't seeing them. As far as we're concerned, there isn't
any hazard with drinking treated water from these plants."
Ciba-Geigy recently produced a pamphlet on atrazine concerns.
Atrazine is the most widely used herbicide by American farmers and
the company said it has spent $16 million since 1983 providing data
for re-registration to the EPA aimed at carrying the product beyond
the year 2000. In 1990, the EPA requested changes in atrazine use
aimed at protecting water quality. Ciba said it has been working
with other atrazine registrants to revise the labels to contain
information on applying, mixing and loading the chemical. Atrazine
is under Special Review by the EPA, as are cyanazine and simazine.
EPA believes these products may pose an unreasonable risk to
human health. The company's literature said it believes further
restrictions on its product are unwarranted. "Very few municipal,
community and rural drinking water systems contain atrazine at
levels beyond the EPA limit." The company is currently studying
wells at 2,000 sites in 19 states and the study will be completed in
1995. Thus far, only five wells have tested above the Maximum
Contaminant Level, Ciba says.
Currently, eight Midwestern states are the subject of a
comprehensive survey which is attempting to find farming systems
that protect water quality and are economically viable at the same
time. The Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) project,
taking place on Iowa farms, is looking at ways to cut herbicide and
nitrogen rates without harming yields. The biggest water quality
issue for Iowa farmers is sediment, said Margaret Smith, a water
quality specialist working with Iowa extension on the MSEA project,
even though many farmers are using conservation tillage methods
and complying with conservation requirements. One farm was able
to cut its broadcast rate of extrazine, a DuPont product, from four to
three pounds per acre. This year, they hope to halve their herbicide
use.
Source: Robert Greene, "Contaminated Water," AGWEEK, October 24,
1994; "Cities Are Defending Water Supplies Following Report," AGRI
NEWS, October 27, 1994; Tom Webb, "Farm Chemicals Polluting
Water," ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, October 19, 1994; Ciba-Geigy,
ATRAZINE CONCERNS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED, 1994; Jean Caspers-
Simmet, "Water Quality Research Project to Help Farmers," AGRI
NEWS, October 6, 1994.
ALTERNATIVES TO HERBICIDES MUST BE DEVELOPED
A University of Minnesota researcher said that alternatives to
herbicides must be developed to reduce what he characterized as
over-dependence. Agronomist Orvin Burnside said, "We can't
abandon herbicides, but we must use them more judiciously. Using
alternative weed control methods is the way to solve problems of
pesticide contamination of groundwater not more monitoring
programs." Burnside is working with another researcher to identify
and develop soybean varieties that compete with weeds, thereby
reducing the need for herbicides. Their project involves planting
weed-competitive soybean varieties at higher-than-normal seeding
rates in narrow rows followed with a rotary hoe one to three weeks
after planting. Selective post-emergent herbicide applications can
then be considered, but only if needed, he said. Preliminary findings
show some soybean varieties were able to produce 30% higher yields
when subjected to nearly identical weed populations as they were
better able to compete with weeds. "Within 10 years we should be
able to double weed competitiveness in soybean varieties through
selection and breeding programs," Burnside said. He also said weed
control is a major production expense for Minnesota soybean growers
who treat about 96% of 5 million acres with herbicides at an average
cost of $20 an acre. Still, farmers lose about 12% of the crop to
weeds. Burnside said public scientists need to research preventive,
biological and integrated weed management. "We can't expect
chemical company scientists to research alternative weed control
technology. They must research marketable products that return a
profit or there will be no chemical industry. This means we need an
increase in public support for weed science if we're to develop
research and education programs on alternatives to herbicides."
Source: Minnesota Extension Service, "We Need Alternatives to
Herbicides, U of M Researcher Says," MINNESOTA'S FUTURE Q
PEOPLE, LAND, WATER, November 1994.
AUTUMN RAISES TILLAGE QUESTIONS
Tillage rotation is a relatively new idea, according to soil scientist
George Rehm of the University of Minnesota Extension Service, and
fall is a good time to begin rotating tillage systems. Rehm said
research projects have demonstrated that varying tillage systems can
have a positive effect on crop yields and profits. However, he said
problems can occur if the same tillage systems is used continuously
year after year. "Therefore, it's time to look seriously at rotating
tillage systems, just as crops are rotated from year to year." He said
a good tillage rotation will allow farmers to take advantage of more
than one system while avoiding their disadvantages. For instance,
fall tilling a soybean field that will go to corn in the spring with a
moldboard plow or chisel is not necessary. Equipment now allows
corn to be planted in soybean residue without tilling. At the same
time, soil compaction can be a problem if no-till is used year after
year. Thus, Rehm said one might combine fall chisel plowing with
no-till within the crop rotation. "One option for a tillage rotation
might be to use no-till to plant corn into soybean residue and to
chisel plow corn residue before planting soybeans," he said. He
added that very little research emphasis has been placed on tillage
rotations and neither the most appropriate tillage rotations nor the
frequency of various tillage methods have been identified. Still, he
said, "tillage rotations don't have to be complicated. It's relatively
easy to identify several that will work. For corn-soybean rotations,
consider planting corn into soybean residue without using a chisel
plow or moldboard plow to incorporate that residue this fall."
Dan Roll, head of a no-till project at North Iowa Community College in
Mason City, said soil compaction often exists before switching to no-
till. He said compaction can occur in the fall if a farmer combines
soft ground as heavier soils tend to compact. "Our belief (is) a lot of
compaction has been created with a lot of tillage," he said. He added
that it is essential that farmers switching to no-till make sure that
compaction is not already occurring as it will be exacerbated by the
lack of mechanical aeration and other movement. Roll said choices at
harvest time are just as important as the choices a farmer makes in
the spring.
Farmers who are concerned about how fall tilling might affect their
conservation compliance plans should check in with their SCS office.
Dave Rausch, an Iowa extension agent, said a large amount of reside
is expected this year and many farmers will choose to till this fall.
"Just don't overdo it," he says. He said leaving corn stalks standing
will help no-till practitioners in the spring, as they won't plug the
planter and can act as a windbreak in the winter to stem erosion. He
said he believes the best method of fall tillage is ridge-till, which will
protect the soil and allow for a quicker warm up for spring planting.
A 1993 survey of Keokuk County showed that 41% of corn and 45%
of soybeans were no-tilled while 14% of the corn and 28% of the
soybeans were mulch-tilled.
Source: "Fall Is A Good Time to Begin Tillage Rotation," FARM &
RANCH GUIDE, October 21, 1994; Dan Zinkand, "Compaction or No-Till,
Which One Comes First?" IOWA FARMER TODAY, October 15, 1994;
Dan Zinkand, "If Tilling This Fall, Remember the Residue," IOWA
FARMER TODAY, October 8, 1994.
ORGANIC FARMING CATCHING ON
The owner of a Minnesota-based organic fertilizer company said his
success demonstrates that organic farming is catching on. Del Bunke
of Shur-gro said he faced considerable opposition from the chemical
sector and university researchers when he purchased the company
in 1961. But his investment has paid off.
He said his company has rapidly expanded since 1961, with a
growing concern about food production on the part of consumers. "A
lot of organics got a bad name because most of those using them
were trying to cut costs. Organics are cheaper, but it takes time to
get the products going Q you have to do it right," said Bunke.
According to organic farmer and Bunke's first customer Leonard
Litscher, "I think it (organic production) lead to healthier animals
and a healthier self. We get good or better yields than our neighbors
and using organics is a lot cheaper." Bunke said he believes the
differences between conventional and organic production are
relatively minor. "There is this mystery surrounding organic
farming. What you have to realize is that with organic farming, the
soil becomes more alive," Bunke said.
Organic production is also catching on in Argentina. Last year, the
country exported about $5 million in organic crops, more than triple
the amount exported in 1991. Export Ar is a cooperative effort of
the ministries of foreign affairs and economics. It has targeted
honey, wine, olive oil and asparagus as products that would do well
in the North. Officials hope the growing organic export market will
make a dent in a trade deficit that reached $3.2 billion during the
first seven months of 1994.
The Pesticide Action Network reports that the Organic Farming
Research Foundation (OFRF) has released the results of its first
national survey of organic farmers. The survey found research
priorities for organic farmers range widely from consumer demand
to the relationship between production methods and product quality
to the relationship between plant nutrition and pest resistance.
Other research priorities identified by respondents included: crop
rotations; soil biology; public policy; marketing techniques;
alternative approaches to pest control; and cover crops and green
manure. Most of the respondents were vegetable producers while
others included herb, tree fruit, field crop, root crop, flower and vine
fruit growers. While the median number of commodities grown by
respondents was between six and 10, more than 25% said they grew
25 or more commodities. Nearly half of the respondents said they
made 25% or less of their annual income from farming. The median
gross income was $15,000 to $30,000 with one-fifth grossing
$100,000 or more. "The results of this survey will help clarify a
number of questions continually raised about the organic farming
industry. We expect to develop a set of research priorities from this
survey and present them to key policy-makers at the state and
federal level," said Bob Scowcroft, executive director of OFRF.
In Minnesota, an organic dairy producer has launched a new line of
milk and ice cream called Minnesota Organic Milk, or MOM's. Mike
Hartmann and his family do not use commercial chemicals and do not
treat their cows with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH). "I
feel good about organic," said Hartmann, a believer in the organic
philosophy. He began grazing his herd because of his belief that
production energy should be derived from the sun, rather than
petrol-based chemicals. "I didn't want to dump my milk on the
regular market. I have a job to do and that's to provide a quality
product." Currently, the Hartmann's are the only suppliers for
MOM's. However, MOM's expects to take on an additional 15 to 20
organic producers by next year.
Source: Jason Abraham, "Organic Farming Gains Popularity,"
AGWEEK, October 3, 1994; "Argentina Going Organic," GANNETT NEWS
SERVICE, October 7, 1994; "Results Released from First U.S. Survey of
Organic Farmers," PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK UPDATES SERVICE,
October 10, 1994; Amy Jo Brandel, "Organic Producer Launches Dairy
Line," AGRI NEWS, September 29, 1994.
NEW AG MINISTER EXPECTED TO PUSH GREEN FARMING LAWS
William Waldegrave, the new agriculture minister for the U.K., is
expected to promote greener farm policies. In his first few weeks in
office, he was referred to as controversial for proposing that
European Union (EU) cereal producers adopt more environmentally
friendly growing practices in exchange for the #8.1 billion they
receive in subsidies. He described his proposals as a "complete
revolution" and said, "I'm sure it's right and sensible for farmers to
widen the base of their subsidy to take account of environmental
conditions. It helps explain to the public why they're paid." He
acknowledged that he faces an uphill battle. According to the British
National Farmers Union, "Our primary concern is the extra cost such a
policy would impose on U.K. farming business when we are
competing with other European countries, which don't have these
costs." Waldegrave said he would like to see his proposal adopted by
the entire EU, but would not rule out unilateral action. Ben Plowden
of the Council for the Protection of Rural England said, "As an
absolute minimum, while farmers are in receipt of substantial sums
of public money, they shouldn't be causing further damage to the
environment."
Farmer Cyril Cole took steps 14 years ago to farm his mixed-stock
operation in an environmentally friendly manner. Cole's operation is
in an area with high annual rainfall and a short grazing season. He
keeps 40 dairy cows, 60 cattle and 70 breeding ewes. Cole took on
an additional 30 acres of grassland to manage under the Countryside
Commission's stewardship scheme. This land must be kept in its
traditional state Q meaning he cannot use chemical fertilizers or lime.
Cole is paid #28 an acre which is used to pay off the interest on his
loan for purchasing some of the land. Cole said he is considering
setting up a farm trail on the land and providing access to local
schools.
Source: Alison Maitland and Deborah Hargreaves, "Waldegrave Plans
Tough TGreen' Farm Measures," FINANCIAL TIMES, October 22, 1994;
Alison Maitland, "Landowners Urge Environmental Farm Policy,"
FINANCIAL TIMES, October 25, 1994; Deborah Hargreaves, "Farming
the Green Fields," FINANCIAL TIMES, October 12, 1994.
FARM BILL NEWS
In preparation for next year's farm bill debate, interested parties are
preparing the proposals they hope to get incorporated into the bill.
Early this month, the Continental Grain company offered its own
recommendations. Included in them is a call to de-couple farm
support programs from the type and volume of commodities farmers
produce and base future payments on historical support payments
that are targeted to small and medium-sized operations. "De-
coupling these payments will further allow the U.S. Department of
Agriculture to budget accurately each year without concern for total
production volume. In effect, farm programs would be dictated by
market needs, not budgetary constraints," the Continental proposal
said. The recommendation is similar to what is being referred to as
the Iowa Plan, put together by various parties in Iowa including the
Farm Bureau and the National Farmers Organization. Continental
Grains' recommendations were submitted at the request of Senate
Agriculture Committee chair Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and ranking
minority member Richard Lugar (R-IN). Other recommendations
included reducing the amount of land in the Conservation Reserve
Program and allowing more flexibility in the use of farmer-owned
reserve.
A recent poll by an Iowa State University extension specialist shows
that Iowans want changes in federal policies governing farm
production control and price supports in the next farm bill. Paul
Lasley, a rural sociologist, said the majority of those surveyed said
they would support the gradual elimination of commodity programs
such as set-asides, price supports, deficiency payments and
government storage. Fifteen percent said government payments
should not be linked to production while seven percent said the
government should set up a mandatory supply management program
requiring all farmers to participate after approval in a referendum.
With regard to target price supports, 47% said target prices should be
raised each year in keeping with the rate of inflation. Lasley's
survey is called the 1994 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.
Outgoing Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy said preparing the
administration's recommendations for the 1995 Farm Bill will be his
top priority before he leaves December 31. "We're going through a
very critical period. Mike has been a very aggressive and successful
secretary and his transition will have some effect on our
momentum," said Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD). Who will take over
for the secretary is still up in the air. Rumors are leaning in favor of
Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger, who has reportedly done a great
deal of leg-work on the administration's 1995 farm bill proposal,
expected to be released soon.
A recent AGWEEK editorial said what happened to the Export
Enhancement Program (EEP) does not bode well for farm program
spending in the upcoming farm bill. A House and Senate conference
committee capped EEP spending at $800 million, which is over 20%
less that in 1994. If environmental groups get their way, the
editorial says, we can expect more restrictions on agriculture and
more spending on administration of the regulations. "The farm bill
debate promises to be hard-fought, pitting farm interests against
special interests representing groups as varied as animal rights
activists and consumers. Recent action may be a taste of what's to
come."
On the other hand, a FARM JOURNAL article argues that changes as a
result of next year's farm bill are likely to be small and incremental
as opposed to radical. Sonja Hillgren expects the administration to
propose a return to "normal crop acreage" to provide more flexibility
for farmers. Rather than maintaining crop-specific bases, this would
allow farmers more flexibility in shifting grain production with a
combined crop base to respond to market signals. A major factor in
whether there will be little or no change is the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade, which is predicated on current farm payment and
export support policies. She said she expects new ideas like the Iowa
Plan and green payments in lieu of deficiency payments to receive
some attention but to only become pilot programs.
Source: "Continental Grain Co. Offers '95 Farm Bill
Recommendations," MILLING & BAKING NEWS, November 1, 1994;
"Many Iowans Want New Federal Farm Policy," IOWA FARMER
TODAY, October 22, 1994; Doug Glass, "Espy Promises to Work on
Farm Bill Before Leaving," FARM & RANCH GUIDE, October 21, 1994;
"Pre-Farm Bill: More Regulations Ahead?" AGWEEK, October 3, 1994;
Sonja Hillgren, "Minimal Farm Law Change Likely," FARM JOURNAL,
October 1994.
HOG NUMBERS RISE
Last month, the USDA hog inventory reported that numbers are on
the rise. As of September 1, there was an estimated 61.6 million pigs
and hogs, up 4% from the previous year. This is the largest quarterly
inventory since quarterly estimates began in 1988. Increases by
large producers more than offset declines in inventory by small
producers, the USDA said.
While numbers rise, prices are expected to continue their downward
trend. "Until recently the hog industry has been fairly profitable.
This has encouraged expansion, especially by the big guys," said Gene
Murra, extension specialist with South Dakota State University. "It's
going to be very difficult for cash hogs prices to get out of the $30s.
There just isn't a lot of opportunity," said Jim Minert of Kansas State
University.
In other hog news, a new coalition has formed in Iowa to educate
producers and the public and to promote the growth of the hog
industry in the state. The Iowa Pork Alliance said it will inform
producers and the public about the importance of the hog industry,
help producers compete through increased production and
demonstrate how to spread its environmental message of
"responsible growth." Saying it does not advocate large operations
over small operations, the alliance instead says it supports efficient,
high-tech production to keep the industry alive and growing in Iowa.
Members of the alliance include producers, allied industries, the
Iowa Farm Bureau and government officials such as Ellen Huntoon,
Iowa state director for the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA).
"The alliance plans to tell the state that I'm a jobs producers as well
as a pork producer," said Allen Keppy.
In South Dakota, the executive board of the South Dakota Pork
Producers Council (SDPPC) voted against repealing the state's
corporate farming act. SDPPC took the position after a task force
established by Governor Walter Miller recommended repealing hog
confinement operation restrictions in the 1988 Family Farm Act. The
task force, made up of producers, politicians, a banker and a meat
packer, was set up by Miller to look at ways to strengthen the state's
pork industry. The SDPPC said that in order for the task force's
recommendations to become part of its policy, county delegates
needed to vote on it. Thus, council members said their duty now
would be to educate producers. "We don't want it to be a debate,"
said council president Randy Odegaard. If the SDPPC sticks by its
conclusion, the state legislature will decide on the issue next session.
"There's definitely two sides to it. Whose judgment is best, I just
don't know," said South Dakota Agriculture Secretary Jay Swisher.
Despite having a law designed to protect them from so-called
nuisance lawsuits, a large hog operation lost in Buena Vista County,
Iowa after it was sued for odor and other environmental problems.
Newell area farmers Norman and Pam Wolff lost the case, which
began as a neighborhood dispute and escalated into a court case.
Buena Vista County District Judge Charles Barlow ordered the Wolff's
to pay $45,000 in damages to Dennis and Ruth Weinhold, who said
the odor and other problems associated with the Wolff's operation
were a threat to their health and reduced their property values. The
Wolff's are appealing the decision.
Last month, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad recommended that the
state consider intervening on behalf of livestock interests in the suit,
which he said threatens large hog producers. The lower court ruling
circumvents the spirit of the law designed to protect hog producers,
Branstad said. Regardless of the outcome, Branstad said, "there's a
very clear need to make some changes in our laws." Branstad has
also recommended that a task force look into to strengthening the
law.
Source: Gordon S. Carlson, "Hog Inventory Highest Since 1980,"
FEEDSTUFFS, October 3, 1994; Rod Smith, "Iowa Alliance Sews
Together State's TFabric' to Create Climate to Expand Pork
Production," FEEDSTUFFS, October 24, 1994; Jeff DeYoung, "Big Hog
Numbers, Low Prices," IOWA FARMER TODAY, October 22, 1994; "Hog
Numbers, Not Prices on the Rise in South Dakota," AGWEEK, October
24, 1994; Mark Haugen, ""South Dakota Split on Corporate Farming
Issue," THE NEIGHBOR, October 1994; "Hog Lot Ruling Not what Gov.
Ordered," THE NEIGHBOR, October 1994; "Iowa Hog Lot Ruling
Appealed," AGRI NEWS, October 6, 1994; Jeff DeYoung "Statewide
Committee Suggested for Livestock Problems," IOWA FARMER
TODAY, October 8, 1994.
_____________________________________________
RESOURCES
_____________________________________________
The University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service is offering
a series of publications on biological controls for insects. Two
publications available thus far are entitled BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF
INSECT PESTS ON CABBAGE AND OTHER CRUCIFERS and BIOLOGICAL
CONTROL OF INSECTS AND MITES. The books are available for $8.00
each (plus $1.25 shipping and sales tax for Wisconsin residents) from
Cooperative Extension Publications, Room 245, 30 North Murray
Street, Madison, WI 53715, Tel: (608) 262-3346.
The Leopold Center at Iowa State University publishes a quarterly
newsletter on sustainable agriculture. The fall edition of the
LEOPOLD LETTER contains articles such as "A Sustainable Model for
Swine Production," "Appropriate Technologies for a Sustainable Ag"
and "The Pesticide Industry and Sustainable Agriculture." The
newsletter is free and also available online. For more information,
contact Leopold Center, 126 Soil Tilth Building, Iowa State University,
Ames, IA 50011, Tel: (515) 294-3711.
The Penn State Field Center for the Study of Sustainable Vegetable
Production Systems is now producing a newsletter called COMMON
GROUND FOR SUSTAINING AGRICULTURE. Items of interest in the
first newsletter include articles entitled "1993 Results Show TOrganic'
System Performs Well" and "New Practices Show Promise For Pest
Control." Also included is a map of the field center's sustainable
agriculture project, which is funded by the USDA's Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. For more
information, contact Michael Dann, 113 Tyson Building, University
Park, PA 16802, Tel: (814) 863-7721, Email: msd5@psuvm.psu.edu.
Prairiefire Rural Action is now producing a bi-monthly newsletter
examining the activities of corporate agribusiness. Articles of
interest in the inaugural edition (July-August 1994) of THE
AGRIBUSINESS EXAMINER include "Agribusiness: It's the Pits!,"
which looks at how Hillary Rodham Clinton was able to make a killing
on cattle futures in the late 1970s. The Examiner is edited by A.V.
Krebs, author of THE CORPORATE REAPERS. For more information,
contact Prairiefire Rural Action, 550 11th Street, #200, Des Moines,
IA 50309.
_____________________________________________
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
_____________________________________________
FOCUS ON THE MULTINATIONALS Q Second International Temperate
Forest Conference, November 9-13, 1994, Missoula, MT. FFI, contact:
Native Forest Network, P.O. Box 8251, Missoula, MT 59807, Tel:
(406) 728-0867, Email: nfconferenc@igc.apc.org.
TILTH 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, November 10-13, 1994,
Portland, OR. FFI, contact: Oregon Tilth, P.O. Box 3588, Portland, OR
97208, Tel: (503) 285-8279, Fax: (503) 289-4179.
NORTHEAST SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE WORKING GROUP
RESOURCE HARVEST, November 11-12, 1994, West Greenwich, Rhode
Island. FFI, contact: Kathy Ruhf, NESAWG Coordinator, Tel: (413)
323-4531.
MARYLAND ORGANIC FOOD AND FARMING ASSOCIATION ANNUAL
MEETING, November 12, 1994, Annapolis, MD. FFI, contact: MOFFA,
6201 Harley Road, Middletown, MD 21769, Tel: (301) 371-4814.
ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE ON METHYL
BROMIDE ALTERNATIVES AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION, November
13-16, 1994, Kissimmee, FL. FFI, contact: Gary Obenauf, P.O. Box
5335, Fresno, CA 93755, Tel: (209) 244-4710, Fax: (209) 224-2610.
GROWING AND MARKETING ORGANIC PRODUCTS TO MEET AND
INCREASING MARKET, November 15, 1994, Maquoketa, Iowa. FFI,
contact: Leopold Center, Tel: (515) 294-3711.
CREATING COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY ACROSS AMERICA,
November 16-19, 1994, Silver Spring, MD. FFI, contact: Community
Sustainability Resource Institute, P.O. Box 11343, Takoma Park, MD
20913, Tel/Fax: (301) 588-7227.
PROFITABLE AG STEWARDSHIP, November 18, 1994, Thief River
Falls, Minnesota. FFI, contact: Rhonda Amundson, Red lake County
Extension, P.O. Box 279, Red Lake Falls, MN 56750, Tel: (218) 253-
2895, Email: ramundson@mes.umn.edu.
HOLDING IT TOGETHER: 5th Annual Rural Women's Conference,
November 18-19, 1994, Hutchinson, KS. FFI, contact: Char Hinton,
FACTS, Tel: (800) 532-3276 or Linda Hessman, Rural Life Office, Tel:
(316) 227-1500.
BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES THROUGH AGRICULTURE,
November 18-20, 1994, Rock Hill, SC. FFI, contact: Carolina Farm
Stewardship Association, 115 West Main Street, Carrboro, NC 27510,
Tel: (919) 968-1030.
FARMING SYSTEMS RESEARCH, EXTENSION AND RURAL
DEVELOPMENT, November 21-25, 1994, Montpelier, France. FFI,
contact: Amon Z. Mattee or Thierry Lasalle, Department of
Agricultural Education and Extension, Skoine University of
Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
HIAWATHA GRAZING CONFERENCE, November 30-December 1, 1994,
Rochester, MN. FFI, contact: Hiawatha Grazing Conference, 2438 N.W.
75th Street, Rochester, MN 55901, Dan French, Tel: (507) 635-5619,
or Mike Watson, Tel: (507) 289-3882.
CRP AND THE FUTURE OF RURAL COMMUNITIES, December 2-3, 1994,
Creston, IA. FFI, contact: Iowa CCI, 1607 East Grand Avenue, Des
Moines, IA 50316, Tel: (515) 266-5213, Fax: (515) 266-6069.
_____________________________________________
Produced by: Michelle Thom, Institute for Agriculture and Trade
Policy, 1313 5th Street SE Suite 303, Minneapolis, MN 55414, Tel:
(612) 379-5980 Fax: (612) 379-5982 EMail: mthom@igc.apc.org.
In addition to this news bulletin, the Institute publishes a variety of
news bulletins on agriculture, the environment and international
trade. All bulletins may be reproduced and distributed freely
without prior permission as long as proper attribution is included. A
copy of any publication in which an IATP bulletin is cited would be
appreciated.