Feds to help train Colo. firefighters
The Agriculture Department will assist with efforts to provide training to firefighters in Colorado in combating the wildfires that have spread throughout the state this season.
Agriculture Department officials will work with the Interior Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide training to hundreds of local firefighters.
"Local municipal firefighters already have significant training and experience in fighting structural fires," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said.
"It makes sense to build upon their skills by cross training them in wildland fire techniques so they are better able to protect the communities they serve," she said.
So far, more than 200,000 acres have burned in Colorado this year, making it the state's worst fire season ever.
President Bush already declared the state a disaster area, which will help cover the costs of damage to private property that has occurred since April 23.
Under the training initiative, local firefighters will receive wildfire training to respond to current and future fires on federal, state and private land.
The Agriculture Department will share the cost of training programs, which could begin as soon as this week.
More than 3,500 federal firefighters have been assigned to Colorado and officials are hoping the local firefighters can adequately assist them in extinguishing the blazes.
Participating firefighters will be required to pass the same health screening and conditioning tests required of federal firefighters.
Once a three-day training program is completed and tests are passed, local firefighters will receive federal firefighting "red cards."
"This is going to be a tough, long fire season and we must ensure that our municipal firefighters have the necessary training and skills to respond and fight wildland fires in the urban interface," Interior Secretary Gale Norton said.
Ethanol:
Ethanol manufacturing plants can provide significant economic boosts to their communities, says a new study by the Renewable Fuels Association.
The association said construction of the plant provides a one-time boost of $142 million to a local economy, and expands the economic base by $110.2 million each year through the direct spending of $56 million.
Ethanol plants also create an average of 41 full-time jobs at the plant and 694 jobs throughout the entire community. They also increase the local average price for corn by up to 10 cents per bushel.
The association wants more ethanol production because the corn byproducts-based motor fuel creates a larger market for the U.S. corn crop.
Foot and mouth:
British Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Department officials banned all livestock movement within a five-mile radius of a slaughterhouse in Lincolnshire where a pig was found with the symptoms of foot and mouth disease.
The London Telegraph reported a livestock market at Selby and 34 farms have been closed while government veterinarians trace the pig's movements back to its original farm.
Officials also are looking into whether the possibly tainted pig came into contact with other livestock. The pig already has been slaughtered, and samples sent to the Institute of Animal Health.
Disaster-Nebraska:
The Agriculture Department declared 32 counties in Nebraska to be farm-related disasters because of unseasonably cold spring temperatures, high winds, frost, hail and drought that have occurred during the past year.
"Farmers in Nebraska have suffered from extreme weather conditions and these low interest loans will help producers who have experienced adverse effects and devastating losses," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said.
The designation makes farmers in the 32 counties eligible for low-interest loans from the Farm Service Agency. Farmers have eight months to apply for aid to help cover past of the cost of their losses.
ADM:
Archer Daniels Midland Co. is creating a new Web site to try to expand its efforts to use an even more diverse supplier base.
The new supplier diversity Web site at admworld.com/meet/diversity is intended to encourage certified minority- and women-owned companies to do business with the Decatur, Ill., firm.
Officials said the Web site also will allow disabled veteran-owned and HUBZone-located enterprises to register with ADM for business opportunities.
Grains:
Grain futures were mixed at the close Friday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybeans rose on a lack of negative news and the desire to end the week on a positive note.
Corn rose on news of a recent purchase by Archer Daniels Midland Co. of Decatur.
Wheat fell on reports that soft red wheat sales totaling 220,000 tons to China and other nations were canceled.
Oats futures were mixed.
The prices:
Soybeans: Jul 4.95 up 7 1/2, Aug 4.89 up 5 1/4, Sep 4.78 1/2 up 4 3/4, Nov 4.70 3/4 up 3 1/2.
Corn: Jul 2.10 1/4 up 1/4, Sep 2.17 1/4 up 1/4, Dec 2.26 3/4 up 1/2, Mar 2.35 up 1/2.
Wheat: Jul 2.87 1/4 off 4, Sep 2.95 1/4 off 3 1/4, Dec 3.03 1/4 off 3 1/4, Mar 3.04 1/2 off 3 1/4.
Oats: Jul 1.83 1/4 off 2, Sep 1.49 3/4 up 1, Dec 1.44 3/4 up 3 1/4, Mar 1.48 1/2 up 2 1/2.
