The USDA announcement came last week, after months of lobbying efforts by Michigan Farm Bureau members and the Michigan congressional delegation for the government to buy a good portion of the surplus concentrated in the Eastern United States - including 3 million bushels currently in Michigan storage.

Michigan processors will have to bid for the contract, but, according to Tom Butler, secretary-manager of the Michigan Processing Apple Growers of the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association (MACMA), a major apple product purchase would likely benefit Eastern states that had record levels of production. "With the 1999 crop in the West, particularly in Washington, being short, the Eastern states will probably be able to offer the best bid and secure the bulk of the purchase," he said. "This purchase will clean up the inventory of processed product and use up a large portion of the storage."

The purchases, which will include applesauce, canned apple juice, canned hot-pack slices and frozen apple slices, will start in July and end in September of this year, Butler said. "It is designed to use the old crop and not affect the 2000 apple crop," he explained. "We're very thankful for this, although the purchase came a little later than we had hoped."

Because the Chinese were dumping apple juice concentrate on the U.S. market last summer and fall, Michigan producers were left without buyers for their juice apples. "Because we did not have that market in the fall and winter, some of the juice apples have already deteriorated in quality, and producers and processors have been forced to dispose of them at sanitary landfills," Butler said.

In addition to the Chinese price gouging on apple juice concentrate, the Eastern half of the United States had a very high production year. Michigan apple production increased 30 percent over a year ago and Michigan apple holdings jumped to 6.3 million bushels from 4.9 million bushels a year ago.

Recognizing the need for a government purchase last winter, a group of five Michigan apple producers, sponsored by Michigan Farm Bureau, flew to Washington, D.C., to ask Michigan's congressional delegation to encourage the USDA purchase. "We got wonderful support from our legislators," said Sarah Black, Michigan Farm Bureau national legislative counsel. "The entire Michigan congressional delegation signed a letter supporting the purchase, and several drafted additional letters and made phone calls on behalf of Michigan producers."

Other states involved with the USDA purchase campaign included New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina.

Regarding Chinese apple juice concentrate dumping
The International Trade Commission (ITC) is currently reviewing the U.S. Commerce Department's ruling that Chinese apple juice concentrate was dumped in the United States and is expected to make a decision on the issue during a May 15 public hearing in Washington, D.C. "If the ITC agrees with the commerce department," Butler said, "the current tariffs - of up to 51 percent - may be established for as long as five years."

Michigan apple producers testifying in support of imposing a tariff on Chinese apple juice concentrate were Mason County Fruit Packers of Ludington, Coloma Frozen Foods of Coloma and Knouse Foods Cooperative with a plant in Paw Paw. Because of international rules, apple processors (not apple producers) were required to prove injury. "However, apple producers stand to benefit greatly if the ITC agrees with the commerce department," Butler said. "It will definitely help to support our price for juice apples."

"A 2,000-foot setback would place an agricultural operation just about in the middle of a section," said Ron Nelson, Michigan Farm Bureau legislative counsel during his testimony. "We would propose that 1,320 feet - or a quarter mile - would be appropriate and realistic."

The new Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practice (GAAMP) for agricultural site selection was mandated in new legislation passed in December. Senate Bill 205 created a statewide standard for agricultural operations. It also included a June 1, 2000, mandate for creating the site selection and odor control GAAMP.

The setback would be required for new and expanding livestock facilities of more than 50 animal units. An animal unit is generally defined as 50 cattle on feed, 35 dairy cattle, 125 head of swine 55 pounds or greater, or 25 horses.

"We need a well-balanced, common-sense approach to help the family farm," said Rob Richardson of Richardson Farms in Vicksburg. "A 1,320-foot setback is sufficient."

After the hearing, Nelson said Michigan's Right-to-Farm Act should not be the sole consideration in striking a harmony between agriculture and other land uses. "We in agriculture are being asked to be even better neighbors than we already are. We accept that responsibility, but at the same time would challenge local governments to consider ag districts in their planning and to look at requiring setbacks for non-agricultural housing around existing agricultural operations. We need the local government to play a role in this area because it cannot be addressed through the Right-to-Farm Act."

Glenn Preston, whose family hog operation was challenged in court by surrounding neighbors, also testified. Preston lost in litigation because of a stringent township ordinance that left no consideration for agriculture. The new law addresses his dilemma by creating a statewide standard and protection for farming operations that follow it. Preston urged the committee to consider a 1,320-foot setback as being adequate and said there should be a memorandum of understanding when businesses, such as day care centers, are licensed in an agricultural district.

The proposed GAAMP defines placement of new and expanding agricultural facilities in three main categories:

• Areas where a producer should not build or expand livestock operations because of proximity to highways, high-density populated residences, hospitals, schools, churches or any other high public area. "To build in those areas is just going to be a conflict; it's not really prudent to do that," explained Maynard Hogberg, chair of Michigan State University's animal science department, who is overseeing the committee developing the GAAMP. "Common sense would say we would never recommend you build there."
• On the other extreme, some rural, low-population density areas are very suited to livestock operations. "These are areas where large livestock operations or expanding operations ought to be able to locate or expand and use whatever current technology there is to make the operations work. After completing their own planning process, they should be able to move forward. However, we encourage producers to do a site analysis plan."

  Even in these "very appropriate" areas, Hogberg says the current manure management GAAMP calls for a manure management system plan.

• The third area is where most of the conflict arises. "That's in areas where we're starting to see the interface between the people living in the rural landscape and livestock operations," Hogberg said. While some states are dealing with this controversy by requiring setbacks, Hogberg says there's no science behind that. "It's just a guess on their part. Because we also know that a particular distance can be good or bad depending on what technologies are used in that facility and how it's managed, we're taking a much broader look by considering other factors."

  Those other factors include:

  • Size of the building
  • Number of animal units
  • Proximity to neighbors
  • Use of technology to mitigate odors and environmental concerns.

"Small hobby farms, including kids in 4-H or FFA, will not be required to go through this type of a planning process," Hogberg said.

Michigan Farm Radio Network contributed to this story.

Michigan Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation are sponsoring the fly-in, affording producers the opportunity to share their support firsthand with legislators who are still undecided on the issue.

"Establishing PNTR with China allows us to access the world's biggest emerging market for agriculture," said Sarah Black, Michigan Farm Bureau national legislative counsel. "We have everything to gain and nothing to lose with this agreement because our markets are already open to China."

Because of the short time frame - a vote is expected May 22 - Michigan Farm Bureau has been working diligently on educating both its membership and the congressional delegation on why this is important to agriculture.

On May 16, the group will get the latest background on the issue during a meeting with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, who just returned from China to evaluate trade opportunities. That evening, producers from all 50 states will meet for a strategy meeting.

Breakfast the following day will be with U.S. Trade Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky. "We will then head up the Hill to visit with Michigan's congressional delegation members," Black said.

Congressmen are anxious to hear from producers on this issue. "While we're confident these seven producers will do a wonderful job in representing the state's agricultural interests, I still would encourage producers to take a moment to set down at the computer and send an e-mail, or send a fax or pick up the phone and make a quick call to your local office or the Washington office," Black said. "They need to hear from people in their districts about this issue."

To date, the Michigan congressional delegation stands as follows:

Supporting PNTR with China	Undecided on PNTR with China	Not supporting PNTR with China
Sen. Spencer Abraham	Rep. Pete Hoekstra	Sen. Carl Levin
Rep. Vern Ehlers	Rep. Fred Upton	Rep. Jim Barcia
Rep. Dave Camp	Rep. Nick Smith	Rep. Dave Bonior
Rep. Joe Knollenberg	Rep. John Dingell	Rep. John Conyers
	Rep. Sander Levin	Rep. Dale Kildee
	Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick	Rep. Lynn Rivers
		Rep. Debbie Stabenow
		Rep. Bart Stupak

"We have a lot of work yet to be done with several of our members who are undecided; and even those who have taken a 'no' position still need to hear from farmers in the countryside about why this agreement is so important to agriculture," Black said. Producers lobbying for PNTR with China in Washington, D.C. include: Mike Barton of Homer Hogs/Cash Crop Loren Koeman of Grand Rapids Cash Crop Keith MacKenzie of Cassopolis Hogs/Cash Crop Allan Overhiser of South Haven Fruit Daryl Peterson of Ludington Fruit Mike Pridgeon of Montgomery Hogs/Cash Crop Bob Sackrider of Battle Creek Dairy/Cash Crop

The chafer grub, which has the typical C shape of root-feeding beetle larvae, will also attack roots of nursery stock and vegetables. It can be up to an inch long.

Chris DiFonzo, Michigan State University Extension field crop entomologist, says no soil insecticides are registered for grub control in wheat as there are for corn.

"Even if a grower did use one of the products, it would take many gallons of water per acre to move the chemical down into the root zone, and it isn't clear that the large chafer larvae would be killed, anyway," DiFonzo says. "The options are to take the yield loss in fields that are moderately infested, or plow down and replant partial or whole fields that have been heavily damaged."

Growers who replant to corn, dry beans or soybeans in early May should check the MSU Extension bulletin (E-1582) for registered soil insecticides and application rates. County MSU Extension offices sell the bulletin for $3.

Chafers will feed for at least four more weeks before they pupate, DiFonzo said.

Chafer damage reports have been made throughout the state's wheat-growing region, with the most severe damage occurring in wheat that followed soybeans.

Chafer damage in Michigan was verified in the early 1980s, but damage was confined mostly to lawns and turfgrass. DiFonzo speculates that last summer's dry soils may have contributed to the spread and increased overwintering of the insect.

The chafer is native to Europe. It was first found in New York in the 1940s and has since spread through the Northeast and into New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Ontario.

Details of DiFonzo's report appear in the April 13 edition of the MSU Extension Crop Advisory Team (CAT) Alert, which can be obtained from county MSU Extension offices. The report can also be seen on the Internet at www.msue.msu.edu/ipm in the field crops section.

The chafer grub, which has the typical C shape of root-feeding beetle larvae, will also attack roots of nursery stock and vegetables. It can be up to an inch long.

Chris DiFonzo, Michigan State University Extension field crop entomologist, says no soil insecticides are registered for grub control in wheat as there are for corn.

"Even if a grower did use one of the products, it would take many gallons of water per acre to move the chemical down into the root zone, and it isn't clear that the large chafer larvae would be killed, anyway," DiFonzo says. "The options are to take the yield loss in fields that are moderately infested, or plow down and replant partial or whole fields that have been heavily damaged."

Growers who replant to corn, dry beans or soybeans in early May should check the MSU Extension bulletin (E-1582) for registered soil insecticides and application rates. County MSU Extension offices sell the bulletin for $3.

Chafers will feed for at least four more weeks before they pupate, DiFonzo said.

Chafer damage reports have been made throughout the state's wheat-growing region, with the most severe damage occurring in wheat that followed soybeans.

Chafer damage in Michigan was verified in the early 1980s, but damage was confined mostly to lawns and turfgrass. DiFonzo speculates that last summer's dry soils may have contributed to the spread and increased overwintering of the insect.

The chafer is native to Europe. It was first found in New York in the 1940s and has since spread through the Northeast and into New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Ontario.

Details of DiFonzo's report appear in the April 13 edition of the MSU Extension Crop Advisory Team (CAT) Alert, which can be obtained from county MSU Extension offices. The report can also be seen on the Internet at www.msue.msu.edu/ipm in the field crops section.

The three county Farm Bureaus, as well as various Michigan commodity organizations, funded the program.

Contact: Becky Droscha (517) 628-3400

Supporters of the investigation hope the fact-finding study by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will convince the American public that the time has come to end the Cold War-triggered embargo.

The report is scheduled to be submitted to the House Ways and Means Committee by Feb. 15, 2001. It will pay particular attention to the agriculture and services sector, according to the ITC.

The embargo has been the cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba. It has endured through eight presidents and is seen by Cuban exiles as the only way to oust Cuban President Fidel Castro.

Farmers, with the help of the American Farm Bureau Federation, have pressed the United States to lift the trade embargo, which cost American farmers and business nearly $700 million last year.

Contact: Ken Nye (800) 292-2680, ext. 2020

To order, contact your county MSU Extension office or the MSU Bulletin office at (517) 355-0240 and ask for Extension Publication E-2718. You can also view the guide on the Internet at http://www.msue.msu.edu/ipm/pdf/PlumPoxMarch2000.pdf

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

Future objectives of the grant include developing supplemental information to that provided in E-154 with a goal of improving growers' and consultants' understanding of Integrated Crop Management (ICM) and how current and new practices might fit with existing and evolving ICM systems.

The guide is in Portable Document Format (pdf) and has been broken down into six sections to allow faster downloading. Those wishing to keep a copy on their own computer can follow the "Read this for suggestions" link.

After downloading the section(s) of interest, check the "Post-Publication Changes" page periodically to look for additions and changes to recommendations. The address is www.msue.msu.edu/epubs/pestpubs/E154/index.htm

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

By going to www.fas.usda.gov/buying.html, foreign buyers can access information about U.S. companies by their location, type of firm, the product they offer and the countries they serve.

USDA expects the Web site to be particularly helpful to medium-sized firms that otherwise might not get the contacts they need to profit from export markets. Around 2,800 exporters participated in last year's paper version of the directory. More than 4,000 are expected to participate this year.

U.S. agricultural suppliers can register for the online directory at www.fas.usda.gov/ussupplier.

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

Have you ever wondered why some Easter Lilies are taller than others? The pretty, white flowers sold around Easter time are supposed to be short, stocky and dark green. Commercial flower growers raise lilies and other potted plants on benches in greenhouses. To grow as many flowers as possible to yield the most profits, growers put as many pots on the bench as they can. As a result, the plants compete with others for light, and they stretch out in the process.

Each day, around $6 million in U.S. agricultural products (grains, oilseed, cotton, meats, vegetables, snack foods, etc.) will be consigned for export to foreign markets. This means more jobs and higher wages across the nation. U.S. agricultural exports generate more than $100 billion annually in business activity throughout the U.S. economy and provide jobs for nearly a million workers.

Did you know strawberries are packed with nutrition for surprisingly few calories? One cup of strawberries (about 5 ounces) contains just 43 calories. The same cup of strawberries also contains 82 milligrams of vitamin C. The recommended daily amount for people 15 and older is only 60 milligrams. Strawberries also contain 3.3 grams of fiber and 240 milligrams of potassium.

Organic farming became one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture during the 1990s and producers, exporters and retailers are still struggling to meet consumer demand, according to a study released by the Agriculture Department's Economic Research Service. Organic farm acreage doubled during the 1990s, and production of organic eggs and milk increased even more to meet growing demand. In 1992, 403,000 acres of organic cropland was harvested. In 1997, that number grew to 850,000 acres. Organic farms, however, still make up a very small segment of U.S. agriculture, with only about 0.2 percent of U.S. cropland being certified as organic in 1997.

Twenty-two million American workers produce, process, sell and trade the nation's food and fiber. But only 4.6 million people - less than 2 percent of the nation's population - live on farms.

Consumption of bagels increased 187 percent in the past 10 years, and was the sixth fastest growing food of the 1990s. The fresh and refrigerated bagel market is still growing, while the frozen market is decreasing. Annual American consumption is 2.2 bagels per person.

Pizza is the 10th fastest growing food of the decade. The average American eats 46 slices per year.