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Texas Agriculture Archive

December 2, 2005

Profiled groups include People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Farm Sanctuary and Greenpeace.
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; Nov. 10, 2005

2005 biodiesel production triples
Biodiesel production will total 75 million gallons in 2005, more than three times 2004 production, according to the National Biodiesel Board.

More than 600 major fleets use biodiesel nationwide and about the same number of retail filling stations sell biodiesel blends to the public.
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; Nov. 9, 2005

Activist bird flu cure? Don't eat meat!
The animal rights activist group Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is attempting to sway people to vegetarianism by building on media hype about the dangers of a possible avian flu epidemic affecting humans.

The group has initiated a campaign to convince consumers "a meatless diet helps eliminate the farms that breed infectious disease" such as avian influenza. A 16-page Vegetarian Starter Kit for worried carnivores is the main piece developed for the campaign to date.

Less than 5 percent of PCRM's members are physicians. The group has ties to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; Nov. 10, 2005

Wal-Mart likes corn plastics
Wal-Mart has secured a deal with two Nebraska companies to supply corn-based plastic for some food packaging.

This could be a major breakthrough for corn demand as plastic. Wilkinson Industries and Nature Works will team up to supply the plastic to the giant retailer. This could create a trend that will extend to other retail chains.

Says Ann Tuck, a spokeswoman for Nature Works, "Retailers will say, `If Wal-Mart is doing it, I'd better learn how to use this material.'"
Source: Doane's Agricultural Report; Vol. 68, No. 43-1; Oct. 28, 2005

Program payments jump $9.4 billion
Farm program payments for 2005 are pegged at $22.7 billion, up from the $13.3 billion paid out in 2004.

Low commodity prices are a key factor in the increase, but payments are also boosted by the Disaster Aid program passed late last year.

Nonetheless, net farm income will decline by $11 billion from 2004 to 2005. Production expenses have increased by more than $28 billion over the last three years. Livestock receipts will be up again, but crop receipts will decline.
Source: Doane's Agricultural Report; Vol. 68, No. 45-1; Nov. 11, 2005

Nitrogen fertilizer costs keep rising
The average retail cost of nitrogen fertilizer has skyrocketed from $250 a ton in 2002 to more than $500 a ton this fall. According to AFBF estimates, the cost is projected to be $500-$600 per ton next spring.
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; Nov. 15, 2005

Biofuel production venture announced
Re-Fuel America has formed a joint venture with PowerSHIFT Energy Co., Inc. to build biodiesel plants and power generation facilities in the United States.

The first of these projects could potentially be operational by the fourth quarter of 2006, and all identified plants combined would produce in excess of 140 million gallons of biodiesel.
Source: Doane's Agricultural Report; Vol. 68, No. 45-1; Nov. 11, 2005