The Oregon Natural Resources Report - Agricultural News from Oregon

NW Extreme Mustang Makeover headed to Albany

From Bureau of Land Management,

HINES, Oregon – For the second year in a row, the Extreme Mustang Makeover challenge is headed to the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo in Albany, Oregon. This thrilling competition will take place over three days, culminating in a fantastic freestyle event in front of a standing room-only crowd. The Mustang Makeover is set for March 19-21, leaving mustang trainers less than two weeks to put the final touches on their once-wild Oregon mustangs.

The Northwest event is a spin-off of the highly successful Extreme Mustang Makeover held first in Texas in 2007. The Mustang Heritage Foundation, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), created the Extreme Mustang Makeover events in order to recognize and highlight the value of Mustangs through a national training competition.

More FDA Prosecutions of Food Business Corporate Officials

Northwest Food Processors Association

The FDA signaled that more criminal prosecutions of corporate officials for FDA-related offenses may be on the way.

Commissioner of Food and Drugs Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg March 4 said that the FDA was acting in response to an internal committee’s recommendation that the “appropriate” use of misdemeanor prosecutions be increased “to hold responsible corporate officials accountable.” Hamburg called such misdemeanor prosecutions “a valuable enforcement tool.”  According to Hamburg, the FDA has developed criteria to be considered in the agency’s selection of misdemeanor prosecution cases. She said that the criteria “will be incorporated into the revised policies and procedures that cover appropriate use of misdemeanor prosecutions.”

The Klamath water war

By Karla Kay Edwards
Cascade Policy Institute,

The Klamath Basin has been waging a water war of epic proportions since 2001. Although this community has had a long history of water disputes, the issue garnered national recognition in early 2001 when a drought was declared and irrigators’ water was turned off in order to protect endangered fish in the Klamath River. It took another four years of economic and environmental catastrophes before many of the parties involved would join together in July 2005 to begin to discuss a settlement agreement. At this point the real game began, and the rules started to change.

Water rights have developed over decades from a common-law basis where prior appropriation was key. Water rights are established on a timeline, with the most assured rights held by the oldest rights holder, known as “senior.” All water rights with a date filed after that time are considered “junior” to the senior water right holder. So, for example, during a drought the junior water right holder must turn off their water before the senior right holder does. The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement signed on February 18, 2010 overturns this system and risks throwing the region into chaos.

Farm income shows small rebound

USDA farm income report shows modest rebound
By American Farm Bureau Federation

Economists often like to point out that we have two hands. “On the one hand,” they’ll say as they state a fact, and then they’ll introduce an alternative viewpoint with “on the other hand.” So it’s no surprise that many of the predictions in USDA’s recent farm income forecast, released on Feb. 11, are both positive and negative, depending on which “hand” you look at.

USDA farm income report shows modest rebound Continued from page 1 USDA has forecast net farm income of $63 billion in 2010, a $6.7 billion (11.8 percent) increase from 2009. That’s welcome news after last year’s drop of more than 20 percent. On the other hand, the 2010 forecast is still far below the $87.1 billion farmers and ranchers earned in 2008.

DEQ needs $1.2 billion to repair Willamette Basin

DEQ Report Concludes Up to $1.2 Billion Needed to Restore Streamside Vegetation, Improve Habitat in Willamette Basin
Dept. of Environmental Quality

A recently released report from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, completed as part of a federal watershed needs survey, estimates that it could cost up to $1.2 billion to restore streamside vegetation and improve streamside habitat from pollution caused by agriculture and other activities throughout the Willamette basin.

Rural energy audit program available through OSU

By Daily Digger Blog
Oregon Association of Nurseries

There’s no question about it. Any form of agriculture, including the production of nursery stock, requires energy. And, energy costs money. Some may see that as a burden, which it is, but here’s a chance to see it as an opportunity.

This spring, Oregon State University Energy Efficiency Center is offering rural energy audits, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Qualified, participating rural businesses can receive a comprehensive energy audit worth $1,480, and they’ll pay just $370. As noted by OSU (PDF), “These audits are designed to help rural businesses and farms understand their energy use patterns and identify opportunities to save energy and reduce costs.”

Estate tax fix to help Oregon farmers

Jenson Legislation Protects Family Farms
By Oregon Wheat Grower’s League

Legislation by State Representative Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton) has successfully protected the estates of several local farming families and protected the Jim Boyd Hydroelectric project by passing bills through both chambers of the Legislature that will now move to Governor Ted Kulongoski for his signature. Included in one of the last budget balancing bills of the February session is a Jenson provision that provides tax credits to some 13 Oregon agricultural families that were inadvertently denied lower estate taxes.

Jenson’s amendment to the budget bill protects those families from a drafting error that occurred when the Legislature first provided the family farm estate tax cut in 2007 and amended again in 2008. “This just makes sure these 13 families are treated like everyone else who qualifies for the estate tax relief. It wasn’t fair they were left out and I am grateful to my House and Senate colleagues for being willing to fix this unintended inequity in the law,” said Jenson.

WA considers storm water tax

From Washington Senator Mark Schoesler,

Last month I predicted agriculture likely will experience a net loss from the 2010 legislative session. Unfortunately, the potential for loss has shot up exponentially with the action taken Thursday on Substitute House Bill 3181.

This legislation would almost triple (to 2 percent, from 0.7 percent) the state’s hazardous substance tax, created by the voter-approved Model Toxics Control Act of 1988. It would be a triple hit on farmers and growers, between higher prices for fuel, fertilizer and crop protection products.

How much higher? We’re still trying to sort all that out (the governor’s budget office does not supply detailed breakdowns of the estimated impacts of tax increases). But SHB 3181 is expected to cost taxpayers $683 million over the three fiscal years beginning July 1. It’s the big-ticket item in the list of tax increases the governor proposed Wednesday (along with new taxes on candy, gum, and bottled water, and an increase in the tobacco tax).

State bans English ivy, butterfly bush to stop spread

English ivy, butterfly bush prompt changes to noxious weed quarantine
Oregon Department of Agriculture,

The Oregon Department of Agriculture has amended its Noxious Weed Quarantine to reflect changes in status of two popular but potentially invasive plants- English ivy and butterfly bush. Effective June 1, 2010, the propagation, transport, purchase, or sale of English ivy, Hedera helix and Hedera hibernica, will be prohibited in Oregon. The prohibition includes indoor or patio  uses as well as floral arrangements. ODA is offering a grace period so businesses that currently have ivy in stock can still sell their inventory. However, those businesses are not allowed to bring in replacement plants as their stock is depleted.

Meanwhile, effective immediately, the propagation, transport, purchase, or sale of butterfly bush, Buddleja davidii is prohibited in Oregon with the exception of sterile varieties that produce little or no seed.

Congress, cattlemen debate antibiotics and livestock

Congressional Members, Livestock Groups Hold Educational Briefings on Antibiotics
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

WASHINGTON  – Livestock and poultry groups hosted educational briefings on Capitol Hill to share the facts about the importance of tools like antibiotics in raising healthy food animals. The informational sessions were co-hosted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association through beef checkoff funding, the National Chicken Council, National Pork Producers Council, National Milk Producers Federation, National Turkey Federation, American Meat Institute and National Meat Association. The briefings were held in cooperation with U.S. Reps. David Scott (D-GA), Randy Neugebauer (R-TX), Zack Space (D-OH) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) and by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA). Top livestock and poultry health experts from across the country presented information to attendees.

Farm Bureau recaps Legislative Session

By Oregon Farm Bureau,

The 2010 Oregon Special Session ended in a flurry of irony.  Legislative leadership’s main purpose for the February session was to again demonstrate a “test run” of annual sessions as a means for streamlining Oregon’s political process and to give voters confidence in the concept in the hope they approve a constitutional referral instituting annual sessions this Fall.

Despite the introduction of a variety of complex and controversial measures this session, we expected the legislature to adjourn early. However, due to disagreements over small details in the annual session’s referral, the Legislature had to push back adjournment by one day.  Agreement was finally reached and the Legislature adjourned Thursday afternoon.

Supreme Court Declines to Review Pesticide Case

National Association of Wheat Growers

The Supreme Court declined this week to review a case that concluded pesticide discharge is a point source of pollution subject to additional regulation and permitting under the Clean Water Act, effectively letting the ruling stand and ending judicial appeals in the case.

The case, National Cotton Council of America v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was decided by the Sixth Circuit Court in January 2009. In effect, the ruling will mean that EPA will almost certainly require producers to obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits or some other type of permits for each and every pesticide application, even if applied within label requirements.

Chart: 100 years change in what we eat

From USDA,
Amber Waves, March 2010

another chart below

New H-2A worker visa regulations rile farmers

Stallman: New H-2A regulations will make it harder to put food on America’s tables
American Farm Bureau Federation,

New rules for the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program, released by the Labor Department on Feb. 12, will make the program more difficult than ever to use, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman.  Among the changes is a requirement that farmer employers who seek H-2A visas for agricultural workers provide documented evidence that they have looked for qualified U.S. citizens to fill the jobs. Previously, employers only had to indicate they had looked for qualified workers.

Wheat Growers honor five lawmakers

Oregon Wheat Grower’s League honors Sen.David Nelson, Sen. Martha Schrader, Sen. Joanne Verger, and Rep.Bruce Hanna. Rep. Mike Schaufler received

The OWGL Board of Directors together with OWGL staff participated in a “Day at the Capitol” on Friday, February 12 in honor of Oregon’s Birthday which fell on Sunday this year.  Governor Kulongoski addressed the audience comprised of interested citizens and school children prior to cutting the birthday cake sponsored by the Oregon Wheat Growers League.  Special thanks to the Governor and Lisa Hanson, Oregon Department of Agriculture, for their remarks and willingness to participate.

The day was filled with legislative meetings to outline areas of concern and priority issues for the industry.  The Legislators were grateful for the update and complimented the Board members for spending time in the Capitol.

Organic milk 5 year boom now slows

Despite being more costly to produce, organic milk production more than tripled in 5 years, but, more recently, growth has slowed in the wake of the weaker U.S. economy.
By William D. McBride and Catherine Greene
Characteristics, Costs, and Issues for Organic Dairy Farming,
US Dept. of Ag.

Organic milk production has been one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. organic agriculture. Between 2000 and 2005, the number of certified organic milk cows increased an average of 25 percent each year to more than 86,000 in 2005. The number of farms specializing in organic milk production more than tripled between 2002 and 2007, to more than 1,600. Many of these are small dairy operations that have switched to the organic approach to help improve farm profitability.

Organic milk cows comprised only about 1 percent of all U.S. milk cows in 2005. USDA estimates that organic milk’s share of U.S. fluid milk sales increased from 2 percent in 2006 to 3 percent in 2008. Rapid growth in the sector has recently slowed, however, as a weaker U.S. economy dampened demand for organic food products.

Bill targets transportation and greenhouse gas reductions

Bill sets the stage for tackling transportation & greenhouse gas reductions
SB 1059 is the product of a diverse work group established in the 2009 session
By Senate Majority Office,

SALEM – Legislation that will help governments make decisions about how to develop smart, sustainable, and cost-effective transportation systems passed in the Senate this afternoon. Senate Bill 1059 lays the groundwork for communities to plan for future population and employment growth while reducing greenhouse gases.  “This bill deals with one important piece of the climate puzzle – transportation,” said Senator Alan Bates (D-Ashland), who carried the bill on the floor. “We must design our cities more efficiently, everything from timing our traffic signals to increasing our ability to run errands with fewer or shorter trips in the car. This bill sets the stage for progress.”

All but one Oregon county shows decrease in ag sales

Oregon Department of Agriculture,

1. Marion County $493 million
2. Umatilla County $369 million
3. Morrow County $345 million
4. Clackamas County $302 million
5. Klamath County $241 million
6. Washington County $238 million
7. Linn County $237 million
8. Malheur County $227 million
9. Yamhill County $222 million
10. Polk County $162 million

Agriculture’s economic downturn has swept across Oregon, negatively impacting all but one of the state’s 36 counties when it comes to agricultural sales in 2009. An overall drop of nearly 15 percent last year left very few commodities in good shape. Marion County remains the runaway leader in terms of agricultural sales, but still saw a reduction of $111 million in 2009. Only Hood River County recorded an increase last year, which clearly demonstrates the unprecedented difficulties facing a diverse Oregon agriculture industry.

House members push for biomass bill

HB 3608 Provides Incentives for Production, Transportation of Woody Biomass
By House Republican Leader Rep. Bruce Hanna,

SALEM—House Republicans today made a final effort to advance HB 3608 this session to improve Oregon’s rural economy and create desperately-needed jobs. The legislation would have provided incentives for the production and transportation of biomass but, on a partisan vote, majority Democrats rejected bringing it to the Floor for debate.

“It’s unfortunate that Democrats would kill an affordable measure to put people back to work,” Rep. Thompson said. “Providing tax incentives for harvesting woody biomass is the only effective way to encourage companies to gather and transport the material to produce renewable energy. By blocking this bill’s passage, Democratic leadership decided to put partisan politics ahead of job-creation.”