UPI Farming Today

U.S. at 'low risk' for mad cow

While Japanese officials have found another instance of mad cow disease, officials with Harvard University tried to reassure Americans the United States remains safe from the deadly livestock disease.

The Agriculture Department Friday released a study performed by Harvard researchers indicating an "extremely low risk" of bovine spongiform encephalopathy spreading to U.S. livestock.

Early protection systems put into place by the Agriculture and Health and Human Services departments were cited as the reason why mad cow disease was unlikely to get into U.S. livestock and cause the same havoc that has occurred in recent years throughout Europe.

"We are firmly confident that (mad cow) will not become an animal or public health problem in America," said George Gray, a deputy director of the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said she intends to keep the livestock disease, which affects the brain and can be fatal, from hurting cattle and other animals here.

She plans to have her agency boost the number of mad cow tests it conducts, with more than 12,500 cattle samples targeted in 2002 -- up from about 5,000 this year.

The Agriculture Department also will publish a policy options paper explaining what additional regulatory actions may be needed to reduce the risk of livestock exposure to the disease.

The agency also will issue a proposed rule prohibiting the use of certain stunning devices that immobilize cattle during slaughter, and will publish an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to consider more rules for the disposal of dead stock on farms and ranches.

"We cannot let down our guard or reduce our vigilance," Veneman said. "Even if (mad cow) were to ever be introduced, it would be contained, according to the study.

The report came on the same day Health Ministry officials in Japan announced they discovered a third case of mad cow disease in the Asian nation, an indication the disease is spreading.

Officials said a Holstein cow slaughtered on a farm near Tokyo tested positive twice for the disease.

Also, the British Broadcasting Corp. reported an investigation into the spread of mad cow in Britain suggested a laboratory mistake in labeling brain matter from cows and sheep hampered officials' attempts to control the spread of the disease.

Combest now backs trade authority

Rep. Larry Combest, R-Texas, chairman of the House agriculture committee, is changing his mind about granting the U.S. president more authority to negotiate foreign trade deals.

Combest had been among lawmakers who opposed trade promotion authority -- which would allow a president to finalize trade agreements with other countries without seeking Congressional approval first -- based on beliefs it would concentrate too much power in the president's hands.

But Combest said Friday he now supports the idea, since President Bush has assured him farmers and ranchers will benefit from having more trade agreements resulting in more markets markets for their crops.

Combest said he will work to persuade his colleagues to back the bill, which is being considered by Congress this month.

Texas farmers get drought aid

The Agriculture Department has designated farmers in 50 counties in Texas as eligible for emergency farm loans due to losses caused by drought.

The federal designation makes those farmers eligible for the low-interest loans to help compensate them for any financial losses they suffered this year because of excessively dry weather conditions that spread throughout the state.

"Texas has experienced severe drought conditions this year," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said. "Our farmers and ranchers need this assistance to recover from these natural disaster losses."

Farmers in the eligible counties will have eight months to apply for the loans to help cover their losses. The Farm Service Agency will review each application, and make the final decision on whether a farmer qualifies for aid.

Corn Babies could be latest gift trend

You have heard of "Tater-Tots." But have you heard of "corn babies?"

Marsha Gillis of New London, Iowa, is the creator of this product, and her company has bought more than 3 tons of Iowa corn since it was found 3 1/2 years ago. The "babies" are simply corn-filled cloth sacks.

She got the idea for them when her daughter received a bag of rice as a gift. She warmed it and the daughter would carry it around like "her baby." The corn babies can be heated in a microwave or chilled in the freezer to be used for therapy. All new mothers at the Henry County Health Center get one.

She also makes a Corn Pig, a Corn Cow and -- yes -- also a Corn Dog. Corn Babies are dressed in nursery prints to make them more attractive as gifts.

(by E.W. Kieckhefer)

Grains up on CBOT

Grains futures were higher at the close Friday on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Soybean futures posted gains on strong export demand and spillover strength from corn. Word that Taiwan purchased 25,000 tons of U.S.-grown soybeans also helped.

Corn was higher on word of a Chinese purchase of U.S.-grown corn, along with word China decided not to proceed with an export sale of 1 million tons of their own corn. Also helping was word that South Korea purchased 52,000 tons of U.S.-grown corn.

Wheat rose on price gains for corn and ideas recent price drops were overdone. Also helping was word that Taiwan will purchase 68,200 tons of U.S.-grown wheat.

Oats futures were higher due to the overall positive tone for commodities trading.

The prices:

Soybeans: Jan 4.44 1/2 up 8, Mar 4.47 1/4 up 9, May 4.51 3/4 up 1-0 1/2, Jul 4.57 1/4 up 11 1/4.

Corn: Dec 2.08 1/2 up 8 3/4, Mar 2.20 1/2 up 8 3/4, May 2.28 up 8 3/4, Jul 2.34 1/4 up 8.

Wheat: Dec 2.81 1/2 up 8 1/4, Mar 2.89 1/2 up 7 3/4, May 2.91 up 6 3/4, Jul 2.92 3/4 up 6 3/4.

Oats: Dec 2.24 1/2 up 8, Mar 2.09 3/4 up 4 1/4, May 1.96 1/2 up 4 3/4, Jul 1.77 1/2 up 5 1/4.