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Texas Agriculture Archive

August 2, 2002

USDA is on target to begin sending out payments Oct.1, as the law says it must. The final 2002 direct payments, which include any AMTA payments due under the 1996 farm law, will be made in October. Also in October, the first advance counter-cyclical payment will be made for the 2002 crop. In December the first advance direct payment on the 2003 crop will be made.
Source: Doane's Ag Report, Washington Report, July 19, 2002

Report reviews animal welfare guidelines
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and the National Council of Chain Restaurants (NCCR) released a report detailing its review of animal welfare guidelines in use throughout animal agriculture. Areas reviewed in the report include transportation and slaughter practices; breeding and rearing; laying hens; dairy cattle; swine; broilers and turkeys; and cattle, ranch and feedlot.

Some producer organizations are in the process of developing or already have established animal welfare guidelines. A report can be viewed on the internet web site http://fmi.org/animal_welfare/626final rpt.pdf.
Source: AFBF Speedlines: Executive News Watch, June 28, 2002

Agriculture trade increases in Cuba
According to recent trade figures, Cuba has purchased $49.3 million in US agriculture products during the first four months of 2002. When added to the $4.3 million purchased in November and December of 2001–recent agricultural purchases from Cuba now total almost $55 million. This figure is expected to rise to over $100 million by the end of the year–not including transportation charges.
Source: AFBF Speedlines; Cuban Update on Purchases of US Ag Commodities, July 3, 2002

Immigration now one-third of U.S. population growth
The United States today receives twice as many newcomers each year as any other country.

The current high tide of immigration began with new laws in the mid-1960s that opened entry to relatives of U.S. residents and tilted the preference system toward countries outside Europe.

Immigration now accounts for one-third or more of annual U.S. population growth, and those entering the country are more culturally diverse than in previous times.
Source: Food Review, Spring 2002, Vol. 25, Issue 1

Fly control useful in cattle operations
Flies reduce grazing, depress weight gain, and increase disease susceptibility, according to University of Nebraska entomologist Jack Campbell.

Insecticide sprays, dust bags, oilers, and ear tags help control adult flies. Feed additives and parasitic wasps destroy developing flies in manure. They have found the most effective method is the forced use of dust bags, where the cattle have to go under them to get to water. Experienced herds quickly learn to use dust bags, but younger animals learn more slowly, so bags should be placed in gateways where cattle can't avoid them, he says.

Ear tags are efficient up to 60 days after application but often run out when fly problems are worst. Producers must re-tag or use other control methods. Insecticide sprays and pour-on treatments last about three weeks, but frequent applications may stress cattle too much to justify benefits.

Studies performed in the Nebraska area show a 10-15 pound advantage in calf weaning weights with good fly control.
Source: Doane's Ag Report, Management Planner, July 19, 2002

Food stamp budget sees first boost since '96
In fiscal 2001, Federal expenditures for domestic food assistance programs grew 4 percent, to $34 billion, the first increase in annual food assistance expenditures since 1996.

The food stamp program is the nation's principal nutrition assistance program, accounting for over half of all food assistance expenditures in fiscal 2001. Unlike the other nutrition assistance programs that target specific groups, the Food Stamp Program is available to most households (subject to certain work and citizenship requirements) that meet income asset criteria.

An average 17.3 million people per month participated in the Food Stamp Program in fiscal 2001, about 1 percent more than the previous year, but still 37 percent fewer than in fiscal 1994, when participation peaked at 27.5 million people per month. Fiscal 2001 marked the first increase in the number of food stamp participants in seven years.
Source: ERS, USDA: FoodReview, Spring 2002