Feds need to take drought more seriously
The American Farm Bureau Federation is concerned that many people perceive U.S farmers as "whiners" because of their increased demands in recent years for more federal aid to help them cope with drought.
The farm bureau notes 12 states stretching from Iowa to Oregon have suffered from "extreme" drought conditions as ranked by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Drought Monitor.
They cite scientific reports claiming Colorado has not been so dry due to intense weather conditions for nearly 300 years.
Drought conditions during the past two years have caused some growers to harvest only a portion of their normal crop yields, while livestock ranchers have had to sell off their cattle prematurely (and often at a financial loss) because they could not afford to grow or buy the feed needed to properly care for the animals.
The federal government has tried to help the farmers.
The Agriculture Department has provided many programs that will give low interest loans to farmers in drought-stricken areas. Congress earlier this year approved $3.1 billion in additional aid for those farmers.
But the farm bureau contends that the aid is not sufficient, and also has a drawback in that money to pay for it comes from existing conservation programs already in the farm bill, which means farmers will receive less from programs that encourage environmental responsibility.
"Basically, the money was taken from Farmer Peter to pay Farmer Paul," the farm bureau said, in a recent report. "Never before has disaster funding for agriculture been offset this way."
Farm bureau officials said they wonder if many federal officials do not appreciate the harm caused by drought, which can be as devastating as that caused by hurricane, flood or tornado.
The drought monitor indicates that "significant long-term moisture deficits" will continue in the western United States, with only limited improvement during the spring and summer months.
Drought conditions are expected to continue in Utah, Wyoming and Montana headed east to North and South Dakota and Nebraska, although short-term relief could occur the farther east one travels.
Dry milk headed for Montana
Livestock ranchers in Montana who specialize in raising animals for breeding purposes will be able to order free powdered milk from government stockpiles to supplement their feed supplies.
Semi-trailer loads of nonfat dry milk will be headed to Montana this week as part of relief efforts to help ranchers whose animals are hurting because of drought.
Montana Agriculture Director Ralph Peck said ranchers in the southwest portion of the state will use the offer to help feed their animals. The U.S. Agriculture Department made similar offers to ranchers in four states last year.
The intent is to help livestock producers in the worst drought-stricken counties retain their foundation herds of cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats, and to preserve grasslands by allowing producers to supplement lower-quality forage and delay the use of spring pastures.
Calif. lettuce contains toxins
Laboratory tests showed 22 types of lettuce purchased at supermarkets in northern California were tainted with perchlorate -- a toxic rocket fuel ingredient that has been found in the Colorado River.
Tests at Texas Tech University found the substance but also concluded the test sample was too small to draw conclusions about the lettuce crop eaten by people across the United States.
The Environmental Working Group told the Los Angeles Times the test results were serious enough to warrant a call for the Food and Drug Administration to conduct its own investigation into U.S.-grown lettuce.
Pesticides kill calves
Pesticide poisoning is being blamed for the deaths of 250 calves at a feedlot outside of Richland, Neb.
The Omaha World-Herald reported Nebraska State Patrol investigators were looking into the case to determine if someone deliberately poisoned the animals. The livestock had been penned in at the site and were to have moved once grass for feed returned to the north-central Nebraska farm where they belonged.
University of Nebraska laboratories are trying to determine exactly what pesticide killed the animals and if it was of a type that would have been used on crops grown on area farms.
Crop plantings progress
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday 29 percent of the corn crop is planted, compared to 12 percent last week, 25 percent at this time last year and a 23 percent average for the past five years. Of that, 6 percent is emerged, compared to 7 percent last year and 6 percent the past five years.
For winter wheat, 21 percent of the crop is headed, compared to 10 percent last week, 20 percent last year and 20 percent the past five years.
For soybeans, 3 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 3 percent last year and 3 percent the past five years.
For cotton, 18 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 12 percent last week, 24 percent last year and 19 percent the past five years.
For sorghum, 19 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 17 percent last week, 20 percent last year and 19 percent the past five years.
For sugarbeets, 48 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 33 percent last week, 38 percent last year and 47 percent the past five years.
For spring wheat, 45 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 25 percent last week, 20 percent last year and 30 percent the past five years. Of that, 12 percent is emerged, compared to 4 percent last year and 8 percent the past five years.
For barley, 41 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 22 percent last week, 21 percent last year and 31 percent the past five years. Of that, 12 percent is emerged, compared to 6 percent last year and 10 percent the past five years.
For oats, 52 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 34 percent last week, 41 percent last year and 44 percent the past five years. Of that, 17 percent is emerged, compared to 7 percent last week, 17 percent last year and 17 percent the past five years.
For rice, 58 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 46 percent last week, 57 percent last year and 52 percent the past five years. Of that, 30 percent is emerged, compared to 16 percent last week, 34 percent last year and 27 percent the past five years.
For peanuts, 4 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 6 percent last year and 5 percent the past five years.
Grains mixed on CBOT
Grain futures were mixed at the close Monday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybeans rose on solid export markets and a belief among traders last week's price declines were overdone.
Corn feel on poor planting figures and weakening export demand.
Wheat dropped on word Egypt deliberately chose to purchase 120,000 metric tons of wheat from France instead of the United States.
Oats were mixed.
The prices:
Soybeans: May 6.05 up 6, Jul 6.08 14 up 6 3/4, Aug 5.99 1/2 up 7, Sep 5.63 up 4 1/4.
Corn: May 2.31 3/4 off 3, Jul 2.31 1/4 off 2 3/4, Sep 2.31 1/2 off 2, Dec 2.32 1/2 off 1 1/2.
Wheat: May 2.85 1/4 off 7 1/4, Jul 2.83 off 6 1/2, Sep 2.88 off 4 1/4, Dec 2.98 1/4 off 4 1/4.
Oats: May 1.72 up 2 3/4, Jul 1.58 1/4 off 1/2, Sep 1.48 up 1/2, Dec 1.44 3/4 off 1 3/4.
