Activists see benefits to efficient energy
Environmental and rural development advocacy organizations are pleased with what they see as President Bush's willingness to push use of cleaner, more efficient energy sources.
They cite provisions of the new farm bill that commit more than $400 million for clean energy development on farms and ranches across the United States.
The farm bill's Energy Title and related provisions create new investment opportunities for wind and solar power, bio-energy and bio-fuels, and energy efficiency improvements.
The measures benefit farmers and rural communities, achieve a cleaner environment, and are a major step toward fulfilling a goal of national energy independence.
"This is a 'win-win-win' for farmers, economic development and the environment because it helps farmers diversify their income with clean energy 'cash crops,' and promotes rural economic development, while making the environment cleaner for everyone," said Howard Learner, executive director of the Chicago-based Environmental Law & Policy Center.
"These programs are very popular, and they offer new incentives not available anywhere else," Learner said. "Reducing funding for them would seriously undercut the president's energy independence and environmental quality objectives."
Americans for an Energy Efficient Economy Director Steven Nadel said the measures could help reduce farm expenses.
"Farm energy expenses can comprise 10 percent or more of total farm costs," Nadel said. "A fully funded and implemented Energy Title will go a long way toward lowering expenditures on farms."
Officials with the group said many do not appreciate how much the agriculture industry could do to help reduce the costs of energy.
"The Energy Title in its current form uses existing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to improve the economic viability of the agricultural sector and national energy security," agriculture program Director R. Neal Elliott said.
Farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses are waiting for the chance to install new renewable energy and energy-efficient equipment, and to invest in utility-scale energy projects.
Traditional stocks popular again
Disappointed by the performance of stocks and bonds in recent months, investors are looking toward the old reliables -- things like hogs and soybeans and coffee and gold, and even pork bellies.
Yes, pork bellies, the part of the hog that becomes bacon.
Such commodities have become "safe" investments since the market for equities has fallen. Commodities that are traded and stocks of companies with exposure to commodities have been doing reasonably well.
The manager of one asset fund notes that while there have been ups and downs in the commodities markets over the last five years, the long-term returns to commodities have been equivalent to returns of the S&P 500 index.
(by E.W. Kieckhefer)
Poland disagrees w/ E.U. terms
Officials in Poland are beginning to split on whether they got a good deal on terms for joining the European Union.
Some officials are concerned about agriculture subsidies for farmers, some of whom receive aid based on the size of their farms, while others receive assistance based on the size of their crops.
European Union officials are trying to include as many farmers as possible under the terms related to agriculture production, which has some farmers upset. Once Poland becomes a member, it would be the seventh largest food producer in the European Union.
Atrazine closer to EPA re-registration
The Environmental Protection Agency is taking steps toward requiring re-registration of the herbicide atrazine.
The herbicide has been the focus of tests for the past eight years to determine if it is safe enough to use. Corn, sorghum and sugarcane growers would like to use the herbicide.
EPA officials last week said it had developed an interim plan for re-registration. It would include site-specific requirements meant to prevent the substance from running off into water supplies. It also would increase monitoring of vulnerable watersheds.
Winter could kill Kansas wheat crop
Kansas State University agronomist Jim Shrover said dry soils and excessive temperature swings could cause winterkill in his state's wheat crop.
Officials note dry soil in much of the state is particularly bad because of soil temperatures that may fall below 10 degrees at the plant crown level.
Shrover said the extent of any damage won't become apparent until the wheat crop breaks dormancy in upcoming weeks.
Grains mixed on CBOT
Grain futures were mixed at the close Monday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybean futures rose as snow and rain fell in the Midwest.
Corn fell on rainfall in Argentina.
Wheat benefited from follow-through to Friday's gains.
Oats benefited from influence from wheat.
The prices:
Soybeans: Mar 5.68 up 4, May 5.64 up 3, Jul 5.61 up 3, Aug 5.52 1/4 up 1/2.
Corn: Mar 2.36 3/4 off 1 1/2, May 2.39 1/2 off 3/4, Jul 2.42 off 1, Sep 2.42 1/4 off 1.
Wheat: Mar 3.23 1/2 up 3, May 3.17 1/4 up 4 1/4, Jul 3.13 3/4 up 3 1/4, Sep 3.17 1/2 up 2 1/4.
Oats: Mar 2.01 up 3/4, May 1.96 1/4 up 1 1/4, Jul 1.87 up 1 3/4, Sep 1.67 1/4 up 1.
