Ag in the News

05/23/2008

National

Tyson names new general counsel
Tyson Foods Inc. has promoted David L. Van Bebber to the position of executive vice president and general counsel for the Springdale, Ark.-based protein giant. MORE!

Jennie-O rolls out new turkey bacon
Jennie-O Turkey Store announced the launch of its new Perfect Slice Fully Cooked Crispy Turkey Bacon, which takes only twenty seconds to prepare in the microwave. MORE!

Congress overrides veto on most farm bill provisions
By the end of Thursday, both houses of Congress had overridden President Bush's farm bill veto, but will still have to do some re-voting to address the 34 missing pages of trade legislation inadvertently dropped from the vetoed version. MORE!

NAMP adds Center of the Plate training in August in Colorado
Because of strong international demand for its Center of the Plate Training course, the North American Meat Processors Association is offering a new session Aug. 5-7 at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. MORE!

Wrap Up

Most of farm bill now farm law. With the Senate's override of President Bush's veto of the farm bill, all but the trade title of the farm bill can now be referred to as farm law. Action on that last title of the bill will now await further action in June when lawmakers return from the Memorial Day break. And, the focus now will shift to implementation, as Jim Wiesemeyer notes in his Inside Washington Today column.

Argentine strike situation. Farmers left Thursday's meeting with the government disappointed and "let down" as they say government leaders failed to address their primary concern -- soy export taxes. That topic will supposedly be discussed in planned meetings next week. Farmers are planning a major rally in the city of Rosario on Sunday, which is the county's Revolution Day holiday.

South Korea beef. A resolution to remove South Korea's ag minister over the beef trade flap did not gain approval, but uncertainty remains on what will happen next. Some are calling for the South Korean government to restart its process to reopen beef trade while some reports still suggest the country will move ahead with its plans to restart beef trade. New quarantine inspection rules may still be published over the next few days, according to those reports.

Memorial Day on Monday. Take time this weekend to remember those who have gone before us as Memorial Day arrives for 2008. For agriculture markets and activity, grain and livestock markets will observe normal trading hours today ahead of the long holiday weekend. All markets and government offices are closed Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day.