Sen. wants farm bill backup plan
Although Congress and President Bush are likely to pass a new farm bill that will begin helping farmers this year, one member of the Senate says he wants a backup plan in place.
Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., introduced a bill Thursday that he said would protect farmers for this year's growing season, if federal officials are unable to pass a new farm bill in upcoming weeks.
Roberts' bill would provide $7.35 billion in additional aid through existing agriculture programs to ensure farmers are properly compensated for their crops and any losses they may suffer this year.
The bill provides for aid to be paid to farmers based on amounts provided in 2000, which was higher than the aid paid last year.
"It allows our nation's farmers and their bankers to plan their investments through 2002," Roberts said, noting the inability of the Senate and House to approve a new farm bill by now has the potential to wreak financial havoc on farmers.
"Timing has become critical," Roberts said. "Even if new farm legislation is passed shortly after Congress returns from Easter recess, it would be too late to implement before late summer.
"That would be devastating for producers who need to know now how to plan for the new year," he said.
Currently, congressional officials expect a final farm bill to be approved the week of April 9, after the end of the spring break. Although studied since last year, the Senate and House were unable to reach agreement until earlier this week.
Even that agreement is not final. Officials still have to determine how much money will be allocated for specific programs. The agreement merely sets dollar figures for general aspects of agriculture.
Roberts said it is possible the agreement could fall apart and he wants to "bridge the gap and protect farmers" in the event that happens.
More optimistic was the National Farmers Union, which said it expects the agreement to hold and a farm bill to be approved by Congress and Bush in time to take effect for the 2002 growing season.
"We need to enter the coming season with the added confidence that there will be a better farm law," union President Dave Frederickson said.
Brazil may already have genetically modified soybeans
Soybeans being shipped from Brazil may not be as free of genetically modified elements as officials there would like to believe.
Monsanto Co. officials say many soybeans coming out of the Rio Grande do Sul production area are Roundup Ready, the type of genetically modified seed sold by the company. That comes about despite Brazilian laws against the planting of genetically modified crops.
Pro Farmer reported Thursday some Brazilian growers were reporting as much as 80 percent of their crop was genetically modified.
This comes about as Brazilian lawmakers consider a measure allowing for some genetically modified crops, provided that they are separated from each other and labeled, clearly showing which are which.
New hog feed could reduce odors
A Houston-based company said one of its distributors has found a feed mixture for hogs that can reduce the terrible odor of animal waste.
HumaTech Inc. said it is providing the feed mixture for sale in Britain in an attempt to comply with new European Union standards that would force hog farms to be shut down if they cannot control the odors.
Officials say the feed mixture can reduce the emissions of ammonia, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and methane up to 60 percent. Texas Tech University researchers helped develop the feed and the Agriculture Department is testing it to see if it can be used in the United States.
Study shows price boost if locks not improved
Corn farmers would lose hundreds of millions of dollars during the next two decades unless officials upgrade the lock and dam system on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers, a new study says.
The Mississippi Area River Coalition teamed up with corn and soybean farmer groups to fund the study, which shows that the cost of transporting corn on the Mississippi River would go up 17 cents per bushel if changes are not made.
"Because of that price increase, corn exports would drop by 68 million bushels per year, or 1.767 percent of the estimated exports of the year 2020," National Corn Growers Association staffer Garry Neimeyer said.
Snow, rain helps ease some drought
Snow that fell across the Midwest last week provided just enough moisture to ease potential drought conditions, the Drought Mitigation Center reported Thursday.
Snowfall ranging between one and two feet fell across Wyoming, Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota, and officials overseeing the Drought Monitor note it eased what otherwise was abnormal dryness in the upper Midwest.
But dry weather conditions continued to exist in Iowa. Rainfall of up to three inches eased abnormally dry conditions in parts of Texas and Oklahoma.
Grains mixed on CBOT
Grain futures were mixed at the close Thursday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybeans rose slightly on influence from wheat.
Corn fell on a lack of positive news.
Wheat rose on speculative buying on hopes cold weather conditions in the hard red winter wheat region will damage the crop.
Oats fell on failure failed to attract fresh buying.
The prices:
Soybeans: May 4.59 1/4 up 3/4, Jul 4.63 1/4 unch, Aug 4.63 1/4 up 1 1/4, Sep 4.62 up 1/2.
Corn: May 2.05 1/2 off 1/4, Jul 2.12 1/4 off 1/2, Sep 2.18 1/4 off 1/2, Dec 2.26 1/4 off 1/2.
Wheat: May 2.82 up 4 3/4, Jul 2.85 up 4 1/4, Sep 2.90 1/4 up 3 3/4, Dec 3.01 1/4 up 4.
Oats: May 1.99 3/4 off 3/4, Jul 1.72 1/2 off 1/4, Sep 1.44 off 1/2, Dec 1.44 3/4 up 1/2.
