Bi-Weekly NewsBulletin                         Volume 1, Issue #9 - 10/25/2005

Industry News:

USDA Sets Ag Outlook Forum for February 16th & 17th
The United States Department of Agriculture announced that its annual Agricultural Outlook Forum will take place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia on February 16th & 17th.  Some of the topics include:  rural America, globalization, conservation, science, markets & farm policy.  For updates on this forum, send an e-mail to agforum@oce.usda.gov.  To preview the program topics please follow this link. 


House Ag Committee Schedules Hearing 
On October 26th (tomorrow) there will be a hearing on the combined impacts of Hurricane Katrina and low water levels on the Upper Mississippi River.  They will be discussing the effects on agricultural commerce and the outlook for recovery over the next few months.  The National Grain & Feed Association will be assisting the House Agriculture Committee staff in identifying industry witnesses for the hearing.  


APHIS to Amend Karnal Bunt Regulations
On October 5th, APHIS announced that they will be amending the Karnal Bunt regulations regarding the requirements that must be met in order for a field or area to be removed from the list of regulated areas.  Comments must be submitted by December 5, 2005.  Please visit this link for the entire contents of the Federal Register.


Secretary Mike Johanns - Farm Bill Must Change 
On October 6th Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns discussed what he learned at the Farm Bill Forums held in 26 States.  Please follow this link for all of his comments.


WRDA Section 214 Extension Passes Senate
Our friends at Pacific Northwest Waterways Association announced that the extension to Section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act have passed the Senate unanimously.  Kristin Meira, PNWA staff states that "Section 214 allows ports and other public agencies to fund Corps of Engineers positions to expedite the review of permits.  That authority expired on September 30th, with the end of 2005 fiscal year.  Though PNWA had successfully had language extending Section 214 inserted in both the House and Senate WRDA bills, as well as the Senate Energy & Water appropriations bill."  She goes on to say that "Rep. Brian Baird (D, WA-3) graciously agreed to sponsor a stand-alone bill on September 14th in order to extend Section 214 for two more years."  Washington Rep. Brian Baird issued the following Press Release.


USDA Appoints O'Brien to Farm Service Agency State Committee in WA
PRESS RELEASE

( SPOKANE , WA )   The U.S. Department of Agriculture named Patricia O'Brien, a Benton County farmer, as the fifth state committee member for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Washington recently. 

FSA state committees are responsible for the general direction and supervision of state FSA programs.  The committee keeps farmers informed of agency program activities and resolves appeals and complaints. Members maintain cooperative relationships with the agribusiness community.  The other four committee members have been serving since 2001 and 2002 when they were appointed by the Bush Administration.

O'Brien owns and operates VineHeart Winery in the Yakima Valley .  She raises apples, sweet cherries and wine grapes.  O'Brien has served on the Washington Growers League board of trustees, the Washington State Wine Commission, the Prosser Public Hospital District Commission and the Farm Service Agency Benton County Committee.

"The security clearance process delayed the official announcement," FSA State Director James F. Fitzgerald explained regarding the position that has been open since the beginning of 2005.  "We are pleased to have someone with Patricia's experience on a county committee and with irrigated production agriculture to represent Washington farmers."

FSA ensures the well-being of American agriculture, the environment and the American public through efficient and equitable administration of farm commodity programs; farm ownership, operating and emergency loans; conservation and environmental programs; emergency and disaster assistance; domestic and international food assistance and international export credit programs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Chris Bieker, Outreach Coordinator, Farm Service Agency - (509) 323-3014

NGFA Urges STB to Provide More 'Balanced' Rail Oversight 
In a statement prepared for delivery at a federal Surface Transportation Board public hearing on October 19th, the NGFA calls on the agency to institute more balanced regulatory oversight of the rail industry.  Follow this link for the entire Press Release.

Association News:

As many of you already know, we will be at the Coeur d’Alene Resort in February 2006 for our Warehousemen’s Conference.  Please mark your calendar with the following dates: February 9-10, 2006 . Our conference rate is $89 for economy rooms, $109 for Deluxe rooms and $119 for Premier rooms.  (They are in the process of renovating their economy rooms, so all rooms will be great.)  For reservations please call 1-800-688-5253.

Contact Us:

Pacific Northwest Grain & Feed Association
Becky Andrews, Association Director

200 SW Market Street, Suite 190, Portland, Oregon 97201
Phone: (503) 227-0234, Fax: (503) 227-0059, e-mail: Becky@pnwgfa.org