A group of agricultural industry leaders and legislators met with officials of the CSX railroad system, Nov. 6, to bring additional cars into the state. The Agriculture/Transportation Crisis Task Force, appointed by Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-Auburn Hills) secured the commitment of six unit trains of about 65 cars each. Later, the railroad agreed to send 17 more unit trains.

While the additional railcars rolling into Michigan alleviate some problems, more are needed. Jim Byrum, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, estimates the state needs 100 unit trains just to clean up what's at extreme risk of loss, let alone what's needed to free up some storage space.

Byrum estimated, as of Nov. 7, that Michigan farmers had approximately 28 million bushels of corn and 2.4 million bushels of soybeans still in the field, based on Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service projections. That grain, along with possibly another 5 million bushels harvested but not covered, is at high risk of loss if the weather deteriorates.

"We're concerned that the lack of rail availability is creating a potential loss of income for producers who are unable to harvest their crops and get them under cover before winter weather sets in," said Bob Boehm, Michigan Farm Bureau Commodity and Marketing Department manager.

The issue goes beyond short-term storage concerns, according to Boehm. "We also have a long-term concern about customers viewing us as unreliable suppliers," he explained. "We have elevators piling grain on the ground uncovered - opening the door for storage losses. Our goal is to get the attention of the railroad companies and encourage them to raise their priority for getting our railcars rolling."

CSX has reached an agreement with its unions to allow extra crews to be transferred into Michigan, which they say will help alleviate rail congestion in the Toledo area. At the recent task force meeting, CSX also agreed to consider alternative routes around Toledo and address internal labor shortages.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture will compile information about storage capacity and critical market need in order to identify and prioritize the greatest shipment needs.

Members of the task force include Abraham, Boehm, Byrum, Michigan Farm Bureau President Jack Laurie, Michigan Department of Agriculture Director Dan Wyant, Burt Keefer of the Cooperative Elevator Company in Pigeon, Dick Leach of the Great Lakes Sugar Beet Growers Association, Rep. Jim Barcia (D-Bay City), CSX officials and others.

The 130-head beef cow operation in Presque Isle County is now quarantined. Eight animals tested suspect on the skin test for bovine tuberculosis and five were reactors at the next level of testing - the comparative cervical test on the neck. All eight animals and two nursing calves were shipped to Michigan State University for necropsy, where five were found to have gross lesions - an indicator of the disease. An acid-fast test also indicated the presence of the disease. Additional testing at the National Animal Disease Center (NADC) in Ames, Iowa, has confirmed bovine tuberculosis in at least four animals, with testing ongoing for the other animals.

Because the TB-positive animals were located in the infected zone north of M-55 and east of I-75, Chaddock said it will not impact Michigan's ability to receive a zone status under the interim rule. The interim rule, which will be accompanied by a more precise Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USDA, MDA and the Department of Natural Resources, allows the entire state - minus an 11-county quarantined area - to be considered accredited TB-free. According to MDA, the interim rule will allow most Michigan farmers to freely move cattle unless another state has enacted a restriction.

The TB-positive animals were found during ongoing surveillance testing of cattle, goats, bison and captive cervidae in the 11-county area, which includes all or part of Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle and Roscommon counties. The TB-positive cattle herd borders a captive deer operation that was depopulated last year because of TB and is the fourth herd in the last two years to test positive for the disease in Michigan.

"It was detected during a routine whole-herd test," Chaddock said. "We are currently in discussions with the owner (concerning depopulation)."

Michigan Farm Bureau Legislative Counsel Ron Nelson called the announcement unfortunate and disappointing, but not surprising. "Apparently the level of infection was very advanced," he said. "The economic reality facing the farmer is the herd is condemned and taken. And for one year, the farmer is forced out of the livestock business on that site. Yes, indemnity will be paid, but how do you restock a herd that has been developed over a period of several years? The economic impact cannot be calculated, nor can the farmer be totally reimbursed."

The suspicion that cattle are being infected through shared feed with free-ranging deer is being supported by a study at NADC, where indirect exposure through feed has resulted in 100 percent transmission in just 77 days.

"A point of frustration for many farmers is still the over-population of free-ranging white-tailed deer," Nelson said. "To solve this problem, all landowners in the 11-county area have an obligation to allow hunting on their property to reduce the deer population to a much lower level in order to control and eradicate tuberculosis."

Michigan hunters historically take 70 percent of all deer harvested during the first three days of firearm deer season, according to the DNR.

"In order to reduce the deer population, we need to harvest more deer beyond the first three days of the season," said Scott Everett, Michigan Farm Bureau legislative counsel. "With the changes in deer hunting regulations, including over-the-counter and, in many cases, unlimited antlerless licenses, along with an extended antlerless-only season, the opportunity is there. For many farm families in the state, the opening week is an event. But there is plenty of opportunity for farmers to allow outside hunters to access their land for antlerless-only hunting beyond this first week."

S.B. 205, which passed the Senate earlier on a 23-13 vote, limits a township's ability to develop agricultural ordinances that duplicate, extend or revise Michigan's scientific agricultural standards, known as Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs).

"Section 4 allows townships to enact their own agricultural ordinances that are sometimes unrealistic, unreasonable and uneconomical for a farmer to comply with," said Ron Nelson, Michigan Farm Bureau legislative counsel. "By enacting over-restrictive ordinances, they are making it difficult - and sometimes impossible - for today's family farmers to adapt their operations to remain competitive."

During a townhall-style meeting Nov. 9 in Southwest Michigan, Speaker of the House Chuck Perricone (R-Kalamazoo) said, "A lot of farms are distressed and there are a lot of legitimate issues to be addressed. We can't hold this up too long. There is ground we can cover to arrive at a better bill that gives farmers what they need for protection, but gives residents what they need for a sense of comfort."

Perricone offered guarded support for the bill if it included provisions for local representation during the drafting of the GAAMPs. An amendment to the bill proposes GAAMPs now include siting criteria for new agricultural facilities. "We are certainly not opposed to having input from townships on issues that make sense," Nelson said. "To have them sitting at the table when the siting GAAMPs are formed makes good sense. But to have township people determining appropriate phosphorus levels, animal units and manure management procedures, unless they are scientists and experts in those areas, doesn't make much sense."

Nelson said the bill has been twisted and reconfigured in the minds of some environmentalists to make people believe it totally strips township control over land use. "That is far from the truth," he said. "Townships and other local units of government will retain their ability to zone land for agricultural uses, just like they can currently designate areas for commercial, residential or industrial developments. Nothing will change there. What the bill does is create a standard for operation that is environmentally and socially sound. It provides protection for farmers that are following GAAMPs, as well as a deterrent - proven to be effective - for those that don't."

The bill is currently on the House calendar and is expected to be considered on the House floor on or after Nov. 30. "We are strongly urging farmers to call their legislators with their support for the bill and encourage the Legislature to take up the bill," Nelson said.

With input from county Farm Bureaus, Michigan Farm Bureau's Policy Development Committee is recommending a continuation of the market-oriented Freedom to Farm Act. But even with multiple resolutions of support from across the state, the issue still has another hurdle to cross before it becomes policy and an objective for the Michigan Farm Bureau.

More than 1,000 Michigan farmers will converge in Traverse City between Nov. 30 and Dec. 3, for the 80th Annual Meeting of Michigan Farm Bureau - the state's largest general farm organization. Farmers, elected by each of Michigan's 68 counties, will serve as voting delegates on more than 120 resolutions addressing issues throughout the state and nation. The grass-roots process allows producers to debate new issues and re-examine previous policies every year.

"Our farmers have said that to go back, where government threw payments at farmers signaling additional production, would be a return to failed policies," said Al Almy, director of the Michigan Farm Bureau Public Policy and Commodity Division. "However, in order for us to continue to hold our stance, our farmers are calling for the federal government to uphold its end of the deal by opening trade markets, requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fully utilize appropriated monies for export enhancement programs, and subjecting imports to the same standards that U.S. producers are held to."

The Policy Development Committee is also recommending additional state dollars be spent on value-added objectives and for agricultural representation on the state's Economic Development Corporation. "Farmers across the country are starting to realize the incentive for looking beyond the production of a raw commodity," Almy explained. "By looking beyond growing soybeans, the Thumb Oilseed Producers Cooperative is finding new customers in automotive markets, and the Michigan Turkey Cooperative is striving to not only grow birds, but also to provide the slaughter and packaging ability."

Calling for a standard set of rules and security for the industry, the Policy Development Committee continued to support Michigan's Right-to-Farm Act with the removal of Section 4, which allows townships to adopt ordinances governing agriculture. Legislation to make the state's Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs) the overriding standard by removing Section 4 is currently in the House. "A change this year is a proposal for GAAMPs to include siting criteria for large livestock operations," Almy explained. "The idea is not to dodge regulation, but rather propose a fair, realistic uniform standard that allows agriculture to remain viable."

In addition to debating policy, annual meeting delegates will also be able to provide producer input on the right-to-farm act and local zoning during a break-out session Nov. 30.

In the tax arena, the committee continues to recommend elimination of the "pop-up" tax, which removes the Proposal A cap once the farm is sold - even to another family member. In addition, delegates will debate a few new tax policies calling for the removal of the sales tax on used vehicles and equipment, removal of the state gasoline tax on an already imposed federal gasoline tax, and increasing taxation of mobile and modular homes comparative to other real property assessments.

While Michigan is on the verge of obtaining a bovine tuberculosis-zone status, the Policy Development Committee continues to recommend full reimbursement for TB testing and production losses incurred because of the testing. Delegates will debate a proposed ban on deer feeding and baiting, as free-ranging deer continue to serve as hosts for the disease.

In addition to three days of policy debate, Michigan Farm Bureau President Jack Laurie, a Tuscola County dairy farmer, will preside over the annual meeting and present his annual address during the President's Luncheon Wednesday, Nov. 1. During the luncheon, two reporters, Jill Haake of Bay City Times and Paul Jackson from Business Direct Weekly, will be honored as Michigan Farm Bureau's Agricultural Communicators of the Year. In addition, Tammy Belavek, an agriscience educator and FFA advisor at Lapeer County Vocational Technical Center, and Janice Stoner, a third-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary in the Constantine Public School District, will be honored as the Michigan Farm Bureau Agriscience Educator and K-12 Educator of the Year, respectively.

Young Farmers take center stage Thursday as they vie for the title of state Discussion Meet winner, and 12 others compete for the Young Farmer Achievement, Outstanding Young Agricultural Leader and Outstanding Young Farm Employee awards.

Also Thursday, more than 120 Promotion and Education Committee volunteers will take to second- and fifth-grade classrooms in the Traverse City school district to present lessons about agriculture. About 1,700 youth will learn about insects' effects on agriculture or about food's amazing journey from the farm to the grocery.

Learning about biotechnology and what to expect in the future is the focus of a Thursday afternoon "Biotechnology Under Attack" break-out session.

Wrapping up Thursday's events is the 80th Michigan Farm Bureau Annual Banquet. Bob Driscoll will be honored with this year's Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award for his commitment to agriculture through Michigan Farm Radio Network.

Michigan Farm Bureau is the largest general farm organization in the state, with 165,000 farm and non-farm member families.

As a new round of international agricultural trade talks is quickly approaching, the United States faces two contentious issues with the European Union. EU officials are resistant to opening their markets due to consumer concerns regarding hormone-treated cattle and genetically modified crops. However, European alarm over such products flies in the face of the scientific opinion of U.S. regulatory agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration.

The EU has adhered to a 10-year ban on beef from cattle raised with artificial growth hormones regardless of a number of World Trade Organization rulings against the ban. In response, the WTO has allowed the United States to impose retaliatory duties on $116.8 million in EU products.

While the EU has approved some GMOs, consumer fears and hostility toward such products have essentially shut down the EU approval process.

Since 1997, U.S. corn farmers have lost about $200 million in sales to Europe because a handful of varieties approved in this country have not been approved in Europe.

"We have confidence in the findings of our Food and Drug Administration that these foods are safe," Clinton said after touring a tomato farm with Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman. "And if we didn't believe that, we wouldn't be selling them and we certainly wouldn't be eating them.

Contact: Bob Boehm (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023

"If you're losing your farm now it doesn't do you any good ... but for someone who wants to go into farming this year or next, the prospects look very, very good," said Per Pinstrup-Anderson, IFPRI director general.

The world's population is expected to grow by 73 million people a year, increasing the demand for meat in developing countries. IFPRI said this means stronger prices for the extra corn and other grains needed for livestock feed. The report cites a "livestock revolution" in East Asia and other parts of the developing world. Demand for meat in developing countries has been growing three times faster than in industrialized nations and is projected to double between 1995 and 2020.

IFPRI analysts also found that despite improvements in crop and farming methods, production in developing countries will not keep pace with demand. Due to this, U.S. grain exports are projected to rise by 34 percent between 1995 and 2020. U.S. producers will likely provide 60 percent of the developing world's needs by 2020.

The Washington-based IFPRI is funded by the United Nations, the World Bank and various governments, including the United States. It analyzes world food needs and offers suggestions to policy-makers.

Contact: Bob Boehm (800) 292-2680, ext. 2024

According to industry analysts, beef demand increased 4.59 percent during the third quarter of this year.

Seasonal demand for beef slipped 1.65 percent between the second and third quarters of this year. But, the NCBA remains optimistic that beef demand is improving. The group said consumer spending on beef from January through September rose 4 percent to $36.7 billion.

Contact: Ernie Birchmeier (800) 292-2680, ext. 2024

The study says vegetables become more pleasing to the tongue because sensitivity to bitterness in food seems to diminish with age. Women seem to be less sensitive to bitter-tasting food as they get older, and they in turn demonstrate an increased preference for vegetables.

"Taste is the driving factor," said researcher Adam Drewnowski, director of nutritional sciences at the University of Washington. "Your preferences will change with age."

Researchers have found a strong inherited tendency to like or dislike different types of food. Healthy foods such as broccoli, brussel sprouts and mustard greens are naturally bitter in taste.

People with a particular sensitivity to bitterness will tend to reject these foods. With age, as the sensitivity diminishes, these people may opt to eat these types of foods.

Contact: Bob Boehm (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023

Milk provides your body with nutrients that give you energy, and it helps your body build strong bones, teeth and muscles. A cow produces milk that has lots of fat and sugar. This milk is processed as whole milk, 2 percent, 1 percent, skim or fat-free, and chocolate milk. All of these kinds of milk have about the same amounts of protein and calcium. The greatest difference is in the fat content. Whole milk provides 12 percent of the fat that nutritionists say you should have each day, provided you are eating 2,000 calories worth of food. Two percent milk has a little less than half the fat in whole milk, and 1 percent has one-third of the fat in whole milk. Skim milk has no fat, but chocolate milk has almost 8 percent.

In 1893 the U.S. Supreme Court made an official ruling: the tomato is a vegetable. What led them to make this decision? The economy. Back in 1893, imported fruits were not taxed, but imported vegetables were. In order to reduce price competition from foreign farmers, farmers in the United States asked the Supreme Court to call the tomato a vegetable.

Microwave frozen vegetables in little or no water for maximum nutrition. Steaming is next best, because vegetables do not come in direct contact with water, which might cause water-soluble nutrients, like B vitamins, to leach out. Heat canned vegetables in their own liquid until just warmed. Use leftover liquid for soups and sauces; it typically contains one-third of a vegetable's nutrients.

What's the difference between mayonnaise and salad dressing? The products are similar in that they are made from vegetable oil, an acidifying ingredient such as vinegar or lemon juice, eggs or egg yolks, and flavorings such as spices or salt. Mayonnaise must contain at least 65 percent vegetable oil, by weight, but generally contains anywhere from 77 to 82 percent. Mayonnaise-type salad dressing can have as little as 30 percent vegetable oil, but it must contain at least 4 percent egg yolk. (Mayonnaise generally contains 5.3 percent to 5.8 percent egg yolk.) Salad dressing contains a starchy paste, which helps thicken the product, made from ingredients such as food starch or tapioca, wheat or rye flour. Mayonnaise contains no such starchy paste. Because of its higher oil content, mayonnaise has a higher calorie content - 99 calories per tablespoon compared to 57 for salad dressing.

About a half-mile below the ground, with no source of light, a special type of slime fungus has been known to eat rock! This amazing rock-eating slime is unlike any other creature in the world. It's made of rocks, water and lots of bacteria. There's no light where this slime lives, and basalt rock is the only thing that's around to eat.