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Texas
Agriculture Archive
September 6, 2002
Farmer Idea Exchange entries due
Got a better idea? Farm Bureau members D. Joe Ellis of Cedar Creek and Larry Hardy of San Augustine did last year and were awarded for their efforts.
Not only did they receive an expense paid trip to Reno, Nev. but received nationwide exposure for their inventions.
The program is the Farmer Idea Exchange Awards program, sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The purpose of the Farmer Idea Exchange is to surface inventions, equipment modifications, innovative crops and farming practices developed by farmers and ranchers.
Ellis, with his "Bale Flipper Hay Loader," a one-man hay handling system; and Hardy, with his poultry litter cleaner, were two of 15 winners chosen nationwide last year.
And 15 other imaginative ideas will be chosen as winners in this year's contest. A copy of the official entry form, rules and awards for the Farmer Idea Exchange are available both at county Farm Bureau offices and on the AFBF web page at http://www.fb.com.
The entry form lists 15 categories that are available. The farmer idea that is selected "Best of Show" will receive one year's free use of a New Holland TV-140 Bidirectional tractor. A $250 cash award will go to three entries of the "Special Ideas" category. The categories are "most innovative," "most widely usable" and the "most likely to improve an individual farmer's net income." AFBF will provide up to $1,000 to selected entrants to cover travel expenses to attend the AFBF Convention and trade show Jan. 18-20 in Tampa, Fla.
Interested? Fill out the official entry form with appropriate color photos and return it to George Caldwell at the Texas Farm Bureau, P.O. Box 2689, Waco, Tex. 76702 by Sept. 17, 2002.
The AFBF will notify farmers selected to present posters after Sept. 27, 2002.
Renewable fuels study released
Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) recently released an Agriculture Department report that outlines the benefits to the U.S. farm economy from the nationwide renewable fuel standard (RFS) established in the Senate energy bill. The study, commissioned by Harkin, shows the RFS will increase farm incomes by $700 million, decrease the trade deficit by $4.45 billion and provide 13,500 new jobs—all by 2011.
Harkin asked USDA to study the impact the RFS provision would have on commodity markets, farm income and employment. The analysis found that the provision will lead to increased demand for ethanol and soybean-oil biodiesel and that the legislation would likely generate significant economic benefits to U.S. farmers. The study found that corn and sorghum prices would both increase about 13 percent per bushel by 2011. Soybean prices would also increase as much as 13 percent during the same period.
The energy bill is currently in a joint conference committee. AFBF strongly supports the increased use of renewable fuels.
Poultry dispute resolved
Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, Commerce Secretary Donald Evans and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick have announced that the long-running poultry trade dispute between the United States and Russia has been resolved. Both sides agreed to a new veterinary certificate that will allow for the continuation of U.S. poultry exports to Russia.
"I am extremely pleased that we have successfully concluded the negotiations with Russia on the new veterinary certificate," said Veneman. "This agreement comes at a critical time for the U.S. poultry industry and will allow trade flows to resume with much greater certainty."
During the talks, a wide range of technical issues were addressed, including testing requirements and procedures, inspection guidelines and process, hygienic requirements, and documentation and procedure. Russia is the largest market for U.S. poultry exports, with sales last year exceeding $600 million.
Same agency, new name
The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Service (TNRCC) is now the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
The name change on Sept. 1 was required by Sunset legislation, House Bill 2912. The Texas Legislature felt that the new name is shorter and gives people a better sense of the agency's purpose, according to a TCEQ spokesperson. Plus, it's more consistent with what other states are calling their environmental agencies.
The agency name change does not affect any previous permits, registrations, or any other paperwork or transactions between the public and the TNRCC prior to Sept. 1, 2002. It also does not affect any signage or other postings required of businesses by this agency. All the powers, duties, rights, and obligations of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission are the powers, duties, rights and obligations of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Notable Quotables
"It's good for our national security that we've got enough food to feed ourselves. But we've got more than we need, because we're the best in the world at growing things. Our farmers and ranchers are the best in the world. And if you're the best in the world at something, you ought to encourage it. And so, therefore, my job is to open up markets for U.S. agricultural products. It is the best way to allow our producers to make a living. It is in our nation's interest we do so."
— President Bush, speaking in Las Cruces, N.M., on Sept. 21.
