August 25, 2010
www.gfb.org
Vol. 28 No. 34
SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION UNLIKELY IN GEORGIA-PRODUCED EGGS Although the nationwide recall of eggs from two Iowa farms involves some eggs sold in Georgia, eggs produced in Georgia are unlikely to be contaminated with salmonella and most cases of salmonella poisoning can be prevented through proper cooking and handling techniques, according to the University of Georgia. “The Georgia egg industry does an excellent job preventing salmonella enteritidis from contaminating table eggs produced in this state,” said Scott Russell, a poultry scientist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Georgia producers follow screening rules recently established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Russell said. The “Final Rule for Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs during Production, Storage and Transportation” requires that white leghorn-laying hen chicks be tested prior to production soon after they hatch, at 14 to 16 weeks of age and again after 45 weeks of age. “If any of these samples come back positive for salmonella enteritidis, then 1,000 eggs must be pooled and tested every two weeks for an eight-week period for a total of 4,000 eggs,” Russell said. “If any of these samples are positive, then the product must be diverted to a stream [of production] that will be cooked or pasteurized.” According to the UGA Cooperative Extension, consumers should cook eggs thoroughly to destroy salmonella because most salmonella cases can be linked to raw or undercooked egg products. Quiches and casseroles containing eggs should be cooked until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Scrambled eggs should be cooked until no liquid egg is visible. Eggs with a runny center should be avoided. The pasteurization process heats the eggs to a temperature that would kill any bacteria present. Pasteurized egg products are clearly labeled and are safe to use for recipes that call for uncooked eggs. “Although thoroughly cooking eggs destroys all salmonella bacteria, the FDA is advising consumers that all potentially contaminated eggs be discarded or returned to the store for a refund,” said Judy Harrison, a food safety expert with the UGA Cooperative Extension. The Centers for Disease Control offer these tips for egg safety: eggs should be kept refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit; cracked or dirty eggs should be thrown out; consumers should wash their hands, cooking utensils and food preparation surfaces with soap and water after being in contact with raw eggs and eggs should not be kept warm or at room temperature for more than two hours. For more information about egg safety and the recalls, visit http://www.eggsafety.org.
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CELLULOSIC METHANOL PRODUCTION BEGINS AT SOPERTON PLANT Range Fuels announced last week that it has begun production of cellulosic methanol at the initial phase of its plant near Soperton. The two-step process employed at the facility converts non-food biomass, including woody biomass and grasses, into methanol, which can be used to produce biodiesel. Biodiesel can be used in the place of diesel oil in transportation fuel markets. The thermochemical process uses heat, pressure and steam to convert biomass into a synthesis gas composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The synthesis gas is then passed over a proprietary catalyst to produce mixed alcohols that are separated and processed to yield low-carbon biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol and methanol. The Range Fuels facility is getting its woody biomass from nearby timber operations. Its plans include eventually using other types of feedstocks like miscanthus and switchgrass. “We are ecstatic to be producing cellulosic methanol from our Soperton plant, and are on track to begin production of cellulosic ethanol in the third quarter of this year,” said David Aldous, president and CEO of the Colorado-based company. “This milestone is a giant step in overcoming the technological and financing challenges facing the commercialization of cellulosic biofuels and positions us extremely well to expand production of cellulosic biofuels. Additionally, with the first U.S. commercial production of cellulosic biofuels from non-food biomass, Range Fuels has taken a giant step in delivering on its vision of offering solutions to the pressing global challenges of energy independence, the environment and the economy.” The company plans to expand production capacity to 60 million gallons of cellulosic biofuels. In a related development last week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the Environmental Protection Agency is signaling it will approve raising the ethanol blend rate in gasoline to 15 percent from the current level of 10 percent. EPA, BAYER CROPSCIENCE AGREE TO PHASE OUT PESTICIDE ALDICARB The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Aug. 17 that it has reached an agreement with Bayer CropScience to phase out the pesticide aldicarb, marketed under the trade name Temik. Registered for use as a systemic insecticide and nematicide on agricultural crops, aldicarb is formulated and marketed solely as a granular pesticide. It is used on a variety of crops, including citrus, coffee, cotton, dry beans, peanuts, potatoes, sugar beets and tobacco. It is used in a granular form below the surface of the soil to control beetles, mites and other insects. The EPA determined that aldicarb no longer meets its food safety standards and may pose unacceptable dietary risks, particularly to infants and young children. Bayer will voluntarily phase out production of aldicarb by Dec. 31, 2014, and all remaining uses of aldicarb will end no later than August 2018. To address the most significant risks, Bayer has agreed to first end aldicarb use on citrus and potatoes, and will adopt risk mitigation measures for other uses to protect groundwater resources. Visit http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/aldicarb_fs.html for more info.
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MEXICO REVISES RETALIATORY TARIFFS IN TRUCK DISPUTE WITH U.S. Mexico updated its retaliation list for tariffs on goods imported from the United States in the ongoing dispute over Mexican motor carriers being allowed to haul goods on U.S. highways. The tariff list includes numerous agricultural products, including pork, multiple varieties of cheese, pistachios, various fruits and vegetables and other farm and non-farm goods. Because of the number of food items on the list, farmers and ranchers are particularly hard hit. U.S. food and agriculture exports to Mexico were worth more than $12 billion in 2007, making Mexico the U.S.’ second-largest export market. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Mexican motor carriers are allowed to transport international cargo within the United States. NAFTA, which was fully implemented on Jan. 1, 2008, eliminated tariffs on U.S. agricultural products entering Mexico. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) implemented a plan to allow the crossborder trucking provisions, but in 2009 Congress did not renew the program to allow a limited number of trucks from Mexico to haul goods into the U.S. beyond a 25-mile zone. Mexico brought a NAFTA case against the U.S. and gained authority to levy the retaliatory tariffs if the U.S. does not take steps to comply. “Mexico is one of our best trading partners and allowing this retaliation to continue for a provision we are obligated to meet is simply unacceptable,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “The economic impact from this growing list will be significant to many farmers and ranchers.” FARM WAGES FOR HIRED WORKERS UP IN SOUTHEAST Southeastern farm workers were paid a higher wage in 2010 than in 2009, according to a report by the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS). The survey, which was taken during the week of July 11-17, revealed a one percent national drop in the number of workers hired, but wages increased in most regions. Farm workers in the Southeast region, which includes Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina, are being paid an overall wage of $9.97 per hour in 2010, up from $9.27 per hour in 2009. Nationwide (excluding Alaska) farm workers received an overall average wage of 10.82 per hour, up from $10.66 per hour in 2009. Southeastern field workers saw their wages increase by 20 cents per hour (from $8.92 per hour in 2009 to $9.12 per hour in 2010) compared with an eight-cent increase nationwide ($10.04 per hour in 2009 to $10.12 per hour in 2010). Livestock workers in the Southeast saw an 85-cent increase from $8.84 per hour in 2009 to $9.69 per hour in 2010, while nationwide livestock workers saw their pay increase from $10.05 per hour to $10.19 per hour. The study attributed the increased wages in the Southeast to a reduced number of parttime workers. Nationally, the NASS reported 1,244,000 hired farm workers in 2010, down one percent from 2009. Of those, 894,000 were hired directly by farm operators and another 350,000 hired by agricultural services.
Leadership Alert page 4 of 4 UPCOMING EVENTS
CROP INSURANCE LISTENING SESSION Aug. 27 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center Auditorium Tifton Sen. Saxby Chambliss has invited USDA Risk Management Agency Administrator Bill Murphy to meet with farmers to discuss their crop insurance concerns from 1-3 p.m. The UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center is located at 15 RDC Road (I-75, exit 64). For more information about the meetings, contact Sen. Chambliss’ Moultrie office at 229-985-2112. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EQUINE AUCTION Aug. 28 Happy Valley Stables Thomson The Georgia Department of Agriculture will conduct a live auction of 16 horses. Inspection begins at 10 a.m. Sale starts at 11 a.m. For information, call 404-323-9340 or 706-968-5212. PESTICIDE USE, SAFETY AND HANDLING TRAINING Albany Sept. 2 Dougherty County Cooperative Extension Office Participants can earn five hours of commercial pesticide credit in multiple categories. Course begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Cost is $40. For more information, visit www.ugaextension.com/Houston or contact Karen Atkins at 478-987-2028 or atkinsk@uga.edu. AG COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES’ SUSTAINABILITY DEBATE Sept. 2 Tull Auditorium, Emory University Atlanta Agriculture Commissioner Candidates Gary Black, Kevin Cherry and J.B. Powell will discuss issues related to sustainable agriculture. Debate runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free but limited to 300. For more information and to RSVP, visit http://www.georgiaorganics.org/events/event.php?id=1265. UGA COTTON AND PEANUT FIELD DAY Tifton Sept. 8 Coastal Plain Experiment Station Event begins at 8:30 a.m. and includes a sponsored lunch. For more info call 229-386-3328. UGA AGRIBUSINESS CONFERENCE Sept. 14-15 Athens Technical College Athens This conference, which begins at 9 a.m. on Sept. 14 and ends at noon on Sept. 15, offers cutting-edge information and networking for agribusiness owners. Registration is $65 per person and includes lunch, breaks, informational materials and optional post-workshop interviews or tours. For more information or to register, visit the Web site http://www.areg.caes.uga.edu. 24th ANNUAL GEORGIA PEANUT TOUR Sept. 14-16 This annual event begins with a “Hot Topics” seminar on Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. Tour starts Sept.15 and will conclude on Sept. 16. For more information visit www.gapeanuts.com or call 229-386-3470. DAWSON COUNTY FFA ANTIQUE TRACTOR SHOW Sept. 25 Tractor Supply Company 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dawsonville Antique tractor enthusiasts are invited to bring their tractors for this free show. All makes and models of tractors are welcome! Anyone interested in participating is asked to contact Dawson County Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee Member Seth Stowers by Sept. 20 at 706-429-6469, although driveups the day of the event are welcome. The event will also include a “slow-boy” race and a “blind driver” race. The Dawson County FFA will be selling concessions and taking donations to raise $1,000 to send FFA students to their national convention in October. The Dawsonville Tractor Supply Company is located at 6921 Hwy. 53 E, Dawsonville, Ga. 30534.