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R.F.D. News & Views, February 3, 2010 |
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Written by Legal Record Webmaster
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Wednesday, 03 February 2010 |
For Central Illinois Farmers & Rural Dwellers
By Tim Alexander for the News Bulletin
Pork Producers Refute Antibiotic Misuse
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA)--in Peoria this week hosting the 2010 Illinois Pork Expo-- issued a letter late last week to mainstream media outlets defending the use of antibiotics in the livestock industry. The letter was circulated to nearly every major Illinois newspaper and to selected national media, including the CBS network, which will broadcast a two-part report on antibiotics and livestock this week during the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
“Overall, the letter talks about how pork producers are committed to producing safe food, and their ethical obligation to the well being of their animals,” said Tim Maiers, director of public relations for the IPPA, during a phone conversation last Friday. “Protecting animal health helps protect our food supply. When we’re caring for our animals by giving them antibiotics as prescribed by a veterinarian, it is to keep the animal healthy. A healthy animal means a safer pork chop.” Overuse of antibiotics in livestock is something producers definitely try to avoid, said Maiers.
The letter also pointed out that human antibiotics seem to be less regulated than animal antibiotics. “It’s interesting that there is no public data available on the amount of antibiotics used in humans, but companies that make antibiotics for animals must report to FDA annually the amount they produce and the amount consumed. Animal antibiotics are definitely (subject) to more FDA regulations than are human antibiotics,” said Maiers.
Study: Rail Rates for Soy Transport Excessive
ANKENY, IOWA - A recently-released study from the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) has soybean producers and shippers upset at what the STC’s study calls “potentially excessive” rates for soybean transport via rail being charged by the nation’s largest railroads. The STC seeks changes in federal law and policy that would require railroads to provide more competitive pricing and reliable service. “There needs to be a way for railroads and the soybean industry to achieve a better balance so that one is not profiting at the expense of the other,” said Mike Steenhoek, STC executive director, following the study’s release.
Nearly half of all rates for soybeans carried by the U.S.’ largest railroads are at levels classified as potentially excessive, according to the STC study, accounting for some $120 million in potential overcharges. Freight rates at least that high were applied on 43 percent of all soybeans moved by Class 1 railroads in 2008, the study revealed. Those costs are shifted to farmers through lower basis, many in the ag community contend.
Revenue among the largest railroads for transportation of soybeans and soy products has nearly tripled from 1998, according to the study, which identified Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. as the carrier of the largest volume of soybeans, and Union Pacific Corp. (UNP) as the largest transporter of soy-meal and soy-oil.
Farm Beginnings Field Days Offered
URBANA - Central Illinois Farm Beginnings (CIFB) has announced six New Farmer Field Days being offered this spring and summer for those interested in small-scale farming operations. Soil testing, cover crops, rotational grazing and equipment selection will be the topics of the field days. “(CIFB) Field Days are geared toward people interested in launching a small farm business that is both economically and environmentally sustainable,” said Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, CIFB facilitator and an Extension specialist at the University of Illinois.
CIFB is co-sponsored by the UoI Extension and The Land Connection. CIFB offers a year-long program featuring field days, workshops and hands-on mentorships. For more information on CIFB and New Farmer Field Days, contact Cavanaugh-Grant at (217) 968-5512 or e-mail
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. (Ill. Farm Bureau News Service)
Bradley Student is County Fair Queen
SPRINGFIELD - A Bradley University student, Haley Freeman, has been crowned 2010 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. Freeman, of Athens, had been previosuly named Miss Menard County Fair Queen. The pageant was held January 18 as part of the 100th annual convention of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. Freeman plans to pursue a doctorate of Physical Therapy at B.U. in order to work with disabled children. As Illinois County Fair Queen, Freeman will preside over the Illinois State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair later this year. (Ill. Dept. of Agriculture)
CornBelters to Host Ag Appreciation Night
NORMAL - Jon Young, community relations manager for the new Normal Cornbelters Frontier League professional baseball team, was excited to share the news of the team’s signing of its first five ballplayers last week. He also scooped R.F.D. News & Views about a special promotion related to agriculture the team, which is currently constructing its new stadium, the Corn Crib, near Interstate 55 in McLean County, is planning for their inaugural season. “We are going to have a farmers’ tribute night and have a few combines at the stadium for the kids to see,” Young wrote in an e-mail. “The date for that game is Monday, July 26th. Game time is 7 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m.”
See you there, Jon!
Illinois Farm Fact:
In 2007, Illinois ranked fourth in the U.S. in agricultural export shares. (NASS/Illinois Field Office)
(Tim Alexander is a freelance reporter who writes agriculture, news and feature articles for News Bulletin, Farm World and many other publications.) |
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