Minnesota gets NAIS funding

Ag Secretary Veneman announces funds at Farmfest visit

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

GILFILLAN -- The Minnesota Board of Animal Health was one of 29 state and tribal projects that will receive $11.64 million to advance the National Animal Identification Initiative (NAIS).

Speaking in the Farmfest Forum Tent Thursday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman announced the news that brings agriculture closer to its goal of implementing a NAIS for all U.S. livestock and poultry animals.

The Department's ultimate goal for the NAIS is to be able to identify all animals and premises that have had direct contract with a foreign animal disease or disease of concern within 48 hours of discovery.

A functioning system is crucial as USDA works to complete disease eradication programs in which states, industry, and the federal government have invested many years and trillions of dollars.

The Department's technology-neutral system will allow industry to determine which animal identification method or methods are the most practical and effective for each species.

Veneman praised the Future Farmers of America, 4-H organizations and USDA internship programs for shaping tomorrow's agriculture leaders.

She added that farm exports reached $65.1 billion last year, topping the previous record set in 1996.

While one of every three U.S. agriculture acres is exported, she expects to continue to pursue agriculture trade agreements that create more rural jobs. She urged farmers to go to their local Farm Service Agency Office, get a user number and use its online services.

Congressman Gil Gutknecht said he will talk about future trade agreements with members of the German Bundestag in New Ulm in a couple weeks.

"The Germans will be the critical cog in this," Gutknecht said. "If they are part of it, the French will probably follow. If not, we're in for a long road to hoe."

"We're having technical discussions with them in an effort to re-establish the Japanese market," Veneman said.

She added that the latest Energy Bill proposal yet to be passed by the Senate, would implement conservation measures and set renewable energy standards that will benefit rural producers.

Sleepy Eye farmer David Mack said politicians represent big business, not small producers like himself.

Leavenworth farmer Donald "Duke" Cook urged Veneman to fight the Bush Administration's notion of reducing farm payments.

Earlier in the day, Al Kluis of Northstar Commodities told farmers to expect more market volatility because more and more consumers want U.S. meat for food. He told farmers to be incremental sellers at acceptable profit levels and consider the value of insurance.

"Selling everything at once is risky," Kluis said. "Spread out the risk and even out checking account income."

He noted that ethanol plants improve price basis and that the market will rally again.

Alan Brugler of Brugler Marketing suggested bean growers take notice of Brazil and Argentina production spikes as has been predicted.

Kluis suggested selling bean calls at .40 to .60, or around $6, after several hard up days, after Jan. 1, 2005.

"Corn shouldn't go much lower, but beans may," said Kluis.

He added that unless U.S. trade and budget deficits are reigned in, long-term prices can go lower. Just when that would take place is hard to predict.

Brugler suggested producers sell on the rally if they aren't hedged on 2004 and 2005.

Earlier in the day, Gov. Tim Pawlenty annouced that the first seven months of the JOBZ program have exceeded expectations.

Since January, a diverse array of state-up companies and expanding or relocating businesses have signed agreements creating 60 developmental projects, promising to create more than 1,000 jobs and make nearly $100 million in capital investments in 39 Minnesota communities.

More information about the NAIS is available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/

For more JOBZ information, visit www.deed.state.mn.us and click on the JOBZ logo.

(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).