May 25, 2013

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Sen. Johanns introduced & cosponsers amendments to Farm Bill

May 23, 2013 by

The U-S Senate Agriculture Committee passed a farm bill last week but Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns already introduced and is co-sponsoring several amendments to make changes.

The amendments Senator Johanns introduced would treat rice and peanuts the same as other commodity crops, studies the impact of the ARC Program, prevents double regulation of pesticide applications and prohibits taxpayer dollars to pay foreign farmers. His other amendment closes a loophole in the SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that prevents states from automatically enrolling people who are not eligible to receive the benefit.

Senator Johanns is also co-sponsoring amendments that would prohibit EPA from releasing data on livestock producers, limit federal payments to high income farmers and assistance to beginning and veteran farmers. Senator Johanns also co-sponsored Nebraska U-S Senator Deb Fischer’s amendment that repeals duplicative paperwork requirements placed on imported seed.

Filed Under: Agriculture, News

Bee-ware of insecticides that kill beneficial bees

May 21, 2013 by

Nebraskans are urged to be careful about killing honeybees as we tend to our plants this spring.

Entomologist Laura Jesse says insecticides were mentioned in a recent report about the nationwide decline in honeybee populations. Jesse says it’s hard to protect bees while trying to get rid of garden pests.

“Bees are insects and yet we have insect pests, so insecticides in general will harm bees. One class of insecticides that we’re concerned about right now is a class called neonicotinoids,” Jesse says.

She says this class of insecticides is very toxic to bees.

“With most of our spray insecticides where you’ve got caterpillars, aphids and things, you spray it on and it dries. As long as you aren’t treating the plant when it’s flowering you are very unlikely to harm pollinating insects,” Jesse explains. “Whereas with the systemic insecticides you can be putting it on long before the plant flowers and the insecticide is in the pollen and nectar. And we don’t know how much is in the pollen and nectar and for how long.”

Jesse says don’t use insecticides as a first choice.

“The first step is kind of look — there are still insects here it might be worth treating — and then consider other options. In the case of aphids, you can often blast a lot of them off with a hose and then come back with maybe a soap-based insecticide,” Jesse says.

She says always go through the other options before you move in with insecticides. Sometimes people miss the window to treat the insects that have done the damage, but spray anyway.

“We call it a revenge spray, where you spray after the damage is done.” That’s wasteful and can also wipe out beneficial bees.

 

Filed Under: Agriculture, Environment & Conservation, News

Nebraska breeder fires back at HSUS criticism

May 20, 2013 by

A dog breeder in Nebraska objects to the criticism leveled against her by the Humane Society of the United States.

Linda Hager operates a kennel in Crab Orchard, named by HSUS in its “Horrible Hundred” kennels in the country.

Hager has raised toy breed dogs in Crab Orchard for 20 years.

“I sell to a pet store in Omaha, have for years, he’s had no complaints of my puppies. The state inspector has talked to him. He’s talked to Early May’s. He’s talked to both my vets,” Hager tells Nebraska Radio Network affiliate KWBE. “The Humane Society, basically, all you have to do is be a kennel to be a puppy mill as far as they’re concerned.”

HSUS names three dog breeders in Nebraska to its national “Horrible Hundred” list of so-called puppy mills. The society accuses those on the list of numerous animal welfare violations.

The 100 facilities listed are located in 20 states, with many of them in the Midwest.

The facilities listed in Nebraska include: Linda Hager in Crab Orchard; Barbara Crick of Cricks Kennels in Burwell; and Janice and Steph McCutcheon and Krystal Wulf in Guide Rock.

Hager levels her own accusation against HSUS.

“They have never inspected my facility. They have never been there. They have no idea what it is like, what it looks like, what kind of buildings I have. They know nothing.”

Hager says her operation is subject to inspections from both state and federal regulators. She says she consults with two veterinarians as well. Hager says if HSUS continues with its efforts, in ten to fifteen years, people won’t be able to go to a pet store or breeder and buy a puppy.

Click here for previous story.

Doug Kennedy, KWBE, contributed to this article.

Filed Under: Agriculture, News

Head of Nebraska farm group sees pros, cons in new farm bill

May 20, 2013 by

Ag committees in both chambers of Congress passed their two different versions of a new farm bill last week. The Senate measure would reinstate target payments that were left out of last year’s measure.

Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen sees that as beneficial for producers who need a safety net when commodities markets fall.

Hansen says, “They have added back in target prices which we strongly support because they are a cost-effective mechanism that helps us protect farmers’ income when there is a price collapse.”

The huge volume of legislation costs nearly $100-billion a year over five years, establishing policies for farm subsidies, rural programs and the food stamp program.

Hansen says he’s disappointed the House Ag Committee version made cuts that would strengthen grain inspections, packers and stockyards rules that were part of the 2008 farm bill. He says it’s a slap in the face to livestock producers, especially to those who depend on contracts.

“These were small but important and incremental steps in order to try to help USDA to do its job to enforce the packers and stockyards provisions,” Hansen says.

Hansen says both the Senate and House versions of the farm bill have positives and negatives and amendments will need to be offered on the floor to address them.

He says it’ll then be up to the conference committee to iron out the differences and, hopefully, get a final package approved this year.

By Jerry Oster, WNAX, Yankton

Filed Under: Agriculture, Featured Stories, Legislature & Government, News

Despite all the rain, runoff in Missouri River basin still low

May 17, 2013 by
Gavins Point Dam

Gavins Point Dam

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is operating the Missouri River reservoir system in drought conservation mode and doesn’t expect much to change for at least a few months.

Corps engineer Kevin Stom says despite the plentiful rainfall this spring, runoff in the region continues to be low.

“Although precipitation in April was well above normal in much of the upper Missouri River basin, observed April runoff was 78% of normal,” Stom says. “This is due to the large soil moisture deficits in the upper basin from the 2012 drought.”

Jody Farhat, head of the water control division for the Omaha Corps office, says water-saving efforts are underway.

“We’re implementing measures to conserve water in the main stem reservoir system this year, including reduced service to navigation,” Farhat says. “Flow support for the second half of the navigation season and the season length will be determined by the volume of water in the reservoir system on July first.”

Farhat says the Corps may have to take further steps if the dry conditions persist.

Farhat says, “Other potential conservation measures that may be implemented this summer include not supporting navigation targets in the regions without commercial navigation, use of the Kansas basin reservoirs for navigation support and cycling Gavins Point releases during endangered species nesting season.”

The Corps reports the runoff forecast in the region north of Sioux City is well below where it should be. It’s gauged at 20-million acre feet, which is 79% of normal.

By Jerry Oster, WNAX, Yankton

 

Filed Under: Accidents & Disasters, Agriculture, Environment & Conservation, Military, News, Weather
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