Ag in the News

02/04/2008

Local

Landowner group unlikely to get agriculture-tax break
SURPRISE - Cattle recently placed in the middle of Surprise's future downtown are not expected to generate the hefty tax break that landowners envisioned. MORE!

National and International

Tyson shareholders elect 10 directors
Shareholders of Tyson Foods Inc. on Friday elected 10 members to the board of directors at the company's 45th annual meeting. MORE!

Allergen labeling snafu prompts beef recall
Chef's Requested Foods is recalling approximately 8,910 pounds of bacon wrapped beef tenderloin products because they may contain undeclared allergens, the Food Safety and Inspection Service reported Friday. MORE!

Ag groups push USDA to revisit its policy on contracts for corn, other crops
More than 40 food and agriculture organizations signed on to a letter sent Friday to new Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer, urging him to revisit a USDA policy that the industry groups say prevents farmers from planting adequate amounts of some crops, such as corn, that are in high demand. Among the groups backing the initiative are the American Meat Institute, Commodity Markets Council, National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and National Pork Producers Council. MORE!

USDA declares Texas cattle brucellosis-free, all 50 states now free
USDA declared Texas cattle free of brucellosis, making all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands simultaneously designated Class Free status for the first time in the 74-year history of the brucellosis program. MORE!

Fatburger launches new chicken sandwiches
Santa Monica, Calif.-based hamburger chain Fatburger has unveiled two new chicken sandwiches and one fish sandwich, adding them to its lineup for a limited time only. MORE!

Kosher certifications on the rise for Chinese food processors
Amid growing U.S. concerns about the safety of imports from China, Chinese exporters are increasingly looking for kosher certification, Bloomberg News reported. MORE!

Wrap Up

Overnight strength. Grain and soybean futures headed higher again in overnight trade to start the week. Corn futures were 4 to 5 cents higher, soybeans 10 to 12 cents higher and Chicago wheat 6 to 11 cents higher in overnight trade. The strength in grains came despite weakness in crude oil and gold overnight.

Bush budget today. Today will bring the final budget proposal from the Bush administration. The plan for fiscal year (FY) 2009 will be watched on the agricultural side to see what farm bill angles it may have and whether there are any changes or shifts for the crop insurance program. USDA will hold a briefing on the details of the budget relative to agriculture this afternoon.

Human ailment and hog link. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is exploring a link between a human neurological disease and the inhalation of pig brain material by workers at a hog slaughter plant in Minnesota. The investigation so far has not revealed any contamination of the brain material. The CDC has broadened its exam of the situation to include other states and slaughter facilities.

Former USDA Sec. Earl Butz passes. The Indiana native passed away Saturday at the age of 98. He was forced to resign in 1976 after telling a racial joke and is also remembered for his urging that farmers plant "fencerow to fencerow."