July 2, 2009
AgriNotes & News is published weekly by the Michigan Farm Bureau Information and Public Relations Division.
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A series of informational meetings will be held across the state
to help farmers sort out the confusion surrounding the new Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program, which has a 2009 sign-up deadline of Aug. 14.
For more information, contact Bob Boehm, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023.
click here for the full story
More than 140 high school juniors and seniors from across the state
participated in Michigan Farm Bureau's (MFB) Young People's Citizenship Seminar (YPCS), June 22-26 at Northwood University in Midland. The annual event aims to educate young people about the American political system, and inspire them to take an active role in it.
For more information, contact Matt Kapp, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2027.
click here for the full story
Farm Bureau is disappointed that H.R. 2454,
the American Clean Energy and Security Act, passed the U.S. House on June 26, and remains strongly opposed to the bill if it is brought up in the Senate.
For more information, contact Ryan Findlay, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2025.
click here for the full story
Grocery store food prices continue downward trend
Contact: Bob Boehm, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023
LANSING, July 2, 2009 - Retail food prices at the supermarket decreased slightly for the third consecutive quarter, according to the latest American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Marketbasket Survey.
The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare a meal was $46.29, down about 2 percent or $1.12 from the first quarter of 2009. Of the 16 items surveyed, 10 decreased, five increased and one remained the same in average price compared to the prior quarter.
Russet potatoes, boneless chicken breasts, eggs, sliced deli ham and whole milk declined the most in price, and together account for most of the decrease in average price of the overall marketbasket. Russet potatoes dropped 29 cents to $2.76 for a 5-pound bag; chicken breasts dropped 28 cents to $3.10 per pound; eggs decreased 16 cents to $1.34 per dozen; sliced deli ham and whole milk dropped 14 cents to $4.80 per pound and $3.01 per gallon, respectively.
Other items that decreased in price were: ground chuck, down 12 cents to $2.82 per pound; sirloin tip roast, down 11 cents to $3.88 per pound; flour, down 9 cents to $2.42 for a 5-pound bag; bacon, down 7 cents to $3.19 per pound; and toasted oat cereal, down 5 cents to $2.86 for a 9-ounce box.
"The quarter-to-quarter price decline reported by our volunteer shoppers indicates that consumers are seeing some relief at the grocery store. Even more significant is that average retail prices for eggs, milk, chicken breasts and bacon for the second quarter of 2009 are significantly lower than one year ago," said AFBF economist Jim Sartwelle.
Overall, the average price for the marketbasket of foods declined $3.10 or about 6 percent over a year's time. Retail egg prices dropped 26 percent, milk decreased 22 percent, chicken declined 19 percent and bacon was 11 percent lower compared to a year ago.
"The foods that declined the most in retail price are among the least-processed items in our marketbasket. When wholesale prices paid to producers for minimally processed foods such as these decrease drastically, as has been the case over the past few months, consumers typically benefit fairly quickly from retail price reductions in the grocer's case," Sartwelle said.
Several items went up slightly in price compared to the prior quarter: bagged salad, up 13 cents to $2.75 for a 1-pound bag; shredded cheddar cheese, up 7 cents to $4.31 for 1 pound; apples, up 6 cents to $1.41 per pound; vegetable oil, up 6 cents to $2.85 for a 32-ounce bottle; and orange juice, up 2 cents to $3.02 for a half-gallon. A 20-ounce loaf of white bread remained the same in price, $1.77.
AFBF's second quarter marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government's May 2009 Consumer Price Index report for all food, which showed a slight decline (-0.2 percent) for the fourth consecutive month.
Tracking milk and egg trends
For the second quarter of 2009, shoppers reported the average price for a half-gallon of regular whole milk was $1.92, down 24 cents from the prior quarter. The average price for 1 gallon of regular whole milk was $3.01, down 14 cents. Comparing per-quart prices, the retail price for whole milk sold in gallon containers was about 25 percent lower compared to half-gallon containers, a typical volume discount long employed by retailers.
The average price for a half-gallon of rBST-free milk was $3.18, down 1 cent from the last quarter and about 65 percent higher than the reported retail price for a half-gallon of regular milk ($1.92).
The average price for a half-gallon of organic milk was $3.63, down 8 cents compared to the first quarter and approximately 90 percent higher than the reported retail price for a half-gallon of regular milk ($1.92).
Compared to a year ago (second quarter of 2008), the retail price for regular milk in gallon containers decreased by 22 percent while regular milk in half-gallon containers decreased 20 percent. The average retail price for rBST-free milk dropped about 5 percent in a year's time. The average retail price for organic milk in half-gallon containers went up and down slightly throughout the year, rising 1 percent in the second quarter of 2009 compared to a year ago.
For the second quarter of 2009, the average price for one dozen regular eggs was $1.34. The average price for "cage-free" eggs was $3 per dozen, around 95 percent more per dozen than regular eggs.
Regular eggs and "cage-free" eggs dropped in retail price by 26 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively, between the second quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009.
Farmer's share of food dollar
As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America's farm families receive has dropped.
"Starting in the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average. That figure has decreased steadily over time and is now just 19 percent, according to Agriculture Department statistics," Sartwelle said.
Using the "food at home and away from home" percentage across-the-board, the farmer's share of this quarter's $46.29 marketbasket would be $8.80.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans spend just under 10 percent of their disposable annual income on food, the lowest average of any country in the world.
AFBF, the nation's largest general farm organization, has been conducting the informal quarterly marketbasket survey of retail food price trends since 1989. The mix of foods in the marketbasket was updated during the first quarter of 2008. A total of 82 shoppers in 33 states, including Michigan, participated in the latest survey, conducted in May.
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Contact: Bob Boehm, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023
LANSING, July 2, 2009 - Retail food prices at the supermarket decreased slightly for the third consecutive quarter, according to the latest American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Marketbasket Survey.
The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare a meal was $46.29, down about 2 percent or $1.12 from the first quarter of 2009. Of the 16 items surveyed, 10 decreased, five increased and one remained the same in average price compared to the prior quarter.
Russet potatoes, boneless chicken breasts, eggs, sliced deli ham and whole milk declined the most in price, and together account for most of the decrease in average price of the overall marketbasket. Russet potatoes dropped 29 cents to $2.76 for a 5-pound bag; chicken breasts dropped 28 cents to $3.10 per pound; eggs decreased 16 cents to $1.34 per dozen; sliced deli ham and whole milk dropped 14 cents to $4.80 per pound and $3.01 per gallon, respectively.
Other items that decreased in price were: ground chuck, down 12 cents to $2.82 per pound; sirloin tip roast, down 11 cents to $3.88 per pound; flour, down 9 cents to $2.42 for a 5-pound bag; bacon, down 7 cents to $3.19 per pound; and toasted oat cereal, down 5 cents to $2.86 for a 9-ounce box.
"The quarter-to-quarter price decline reported by our volunteer shoppers indicates that consumers are seeing some relief at the grocery store. Even more significant is that average retail prices for eggs, milk, chicken breasts and bacon for the second quarter of 2009 are significantly lower than one year ago," said AFBF economist Jim Sartwelle.
Overall, the average price for the marketbasket of foods declined $3.10 or about 6 percent over a year's time. Retail egg prices dropped 26 percent, milk decreased 22 percent, chicken declined 19 percent and bacon was 11 percent lower compared to a year ago.
"The foods that declined the most in retail price are among the least-processed items in our marketbasket. When wholesale prices paid to producers for minimally processed foods such as these decrease drastically, as has been the case over the past few months, consumers typically benefit fairly quickly from retail price reductions in the grocer's case," Sartwelle said.
Several items went up slightly in price compared to the prior quarter: bagged salad, up 13 cents to $2.75 for a 1-pound bag; shredded cheddar cheese, up 7 cents to $4.31 for 1 pound; apples, up 6 cents to $1.41 per pound; vegetable oil, up 6 cents to $2.85 for a 32-ounce bottle; and orange juice, up 2 cents to $3.02 for a half-gallon. A 20-ounce loaf of white bread remained the same in price, $1.77.
AFBF's second quarter marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government's May 2009 Consumer Price Index report for all food, which showed a slight decline (-0.2 percent) for the fourth consecutive month.
Tracking milk and egg trends
For the second quarter of 2009, shoppers reported the average price for a half-gallon of regular whole milk was $1.92, down 24 cents from the prior quarter. The average price for 1 gallon of regular whole milk was $3.01, down 14 cents. Comparing per-quart prices, the retail price for whole milk sold in gallon containers was about 25 percent lower compared to half-gallon containers, a typical volume discount long employed by retailers.
The average price for a half-gallon of rBST-free milk was $3.18, down 1 cent from the last quarter and about 65 percent higher than the reported retail price for a half-gallon of regular milk ($1.92).
The average price for a half-gallon of organic milk was $3.63, down 8 cents compared to the first quarter and approximately 90 percent higher than the reported retail price for a half-gallon of regular milk ($1.92).
Compared to a year ago (second quarter of 2008), the retail price for regular milk in gallon containers decreased by 22 percent while regular milk in half-gallon containers decreased 20 percent. The average retail price for rBST-free milk dropped about 5 percent in a year's time. The average retail price for organic milk in half-gallon containers went up and down slightly throughout the year, rising 1 percent in the second quarter of 2009 compared to a year ago.
For the second quarter of 2009, the average price for one dozen regular eggs was $1.34. The average price for "cage-free" eggs was $3 per dozen, around 95 percent more per dozen than regular eggs.
Regular eggs and "cage-free" eggs dropped in retail price by 26 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively, between the second quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009.
Farmer's share of food dollar
As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America's farm families receive has dropped.
"Starting in the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average. That figure has decreased steadily over time and is now just 19 percent, according to Agriculture Department statistics," Sartwelle said.
Using the "food at home and away from home" percentage across-the-board, the farmer's share of this quarter's $46.29 marketbasket would be $8.80.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans spend just under 10 percent of their disposable annual income on food, the lowest average of any country in the world.
AFBF, the nation's largest general farm organization, has been conducting the informal quarterly marketbasket survey of retail food price trends since 1989. The mix of foods in the marketbasket was updated during the first quarter of 2008. A total of 82 shoppers in 33 states, including Michigan, participated in the latest survey, conducted in May.
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Farmers can learn about new ACRE program at upcoming meetings
Educational sessions are in advance of Aug. 14 sign-up deadline
Contact: Bob Boehm, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023
LANSING, July 2, 2009 - A series of informational meetings will be held across the state to help farmers sort out the confusion surrounding the new Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program, which has a 2009 sign-up deadline of Aug. 14.
"ACRE is a new program of the 2008 farm bill, so there is a natural learning curve that must take place to fully understand the program's potential and long-term implications for risk management and farm income. With the sign-up deadline for 2009 fast approaching, we encourage our members to take advantage of these meetings to learn if ACRE is right for them," said Bob Boehm, manager of the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Commodity and Marketing Department. "Farmers are also encouraged to visit MFB's farm bill Web site at http://www.michfb.com/issues/farmbill for additional information on the new programs."
The meetings will be held as follows and will be facilitated by Roger Betz, Michigan State University (MSU) District Extension farm management educator. Resource people in attendance will include the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county executive director and staff.
No registration is required; however, seating may be limited due to anticipated high attendance.
A live Webinar presentation is also being planned. Contact your local MSU Extension or FSA office for more details.
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ACRE educational meeting series
July 14 - 9 a.m.- noon, Ithaca - Gratiot-Isabella RESD Bldg, 1131 E. Center
July 16 - 9 a.m.- noon, Bad Axe - Expo Center, 170 W. Sowper Road
July 27 - 6:30-9:30 p.m., Mason - Monsanto Research Demo Farm, 474 S. Onondaga Road
July 28 - 9 a.m.-noon, Allegan - Allegan Co. Tech Ed Center, 2891 116th (M-222)
July 28 - 6:30-9:30 p.m., Lawrence - VanBuren ISD Conference Center, 490 S. Paw Paw St.
July 29 - 9 a.m.-noon, Centreville - St. Joseph Co. Courthouse Lower Level, 125 W. Main St.
July 29 - 7-10 p.m., Clarksville - Clarksville Horticultural Experiment Station, 9302 Portland Road
Aug. 3 - 6:30-9:30 p.m., Coldwater - Branch Co. Fairgrounds 4-H Cabin, 262 S. Sprague St.
Aug. 4 - 6-9 p.m., Hanover - Hanover-Horton Historical Society Bldg., 101 Fairview St.
Aug. 7 - 9 a.m.-noon, Zeeland - Zeeland Township Hall, 6582 Byron Road
Aug. 7 - 2-5 p.m., Comstock Park - Alpine Twp. Hall, 2408 7 Mile Road NW
Educational sessions are in advance of Aug. 14 sign-up deadline
Contact: Bob Boehm, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023
LANSING, July 2, 2009 - A series of informational meetings will be held across the state to help farmers sort out the confusion surrounding the new Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program, which has a 2009 sign-up deadline of Aug. 14.
"ACRE is a new program of the 2008 farm bill, so there is a natural learning curve that must take place to fully understand the program's potential and long-term implications for risk management and farm income. With the sign-up deadline for 2009 fast approaching, we encourage our members to take advantage of these meetings to learn if ACRE is right for them," said Bob Boehm, manager of the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) Commodity and Marketing Department. "Farmers are also encouraged to visit MFB's farm bill Web site at http://www.michfb.com/issues/farmbill for additional information on the new programs."
The meetings will be held as follows and will be facilitated by Roger Betz, Michigan State University (MSU) District Extension farm management educator. Resource people in attendance will include the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county executive director and staff.
No registration is required; however, seating may be limited due to anticipated high attendance.
A live Webinar presentation is also being planned. Contact your local MSU Extension or FSA office for more details.
-30-
ACRE educational meeting series
July 14 - 9 a.m.- noon, Ithaca - Gratiot-Isabella RESD Bldg, 1131 E. Center
July 16 - 9 a.m.- noon, Bad Axe - Expo Center, 170 W. Sowper Road
July 27 - 6:30-9:30 p.m., Mason - Monsanto Research Demo Farm, 474 S. Onondaga Road
July 28 - 9 a.m.-noon, Allegan - Allegan Co. Tech Ed Center, 2891 116th (M-222)
July 28 - 6:30-9:30 p.m., Lawrence - VanBuren ISD Conference Center, 490 S. Paw Paw St.
July 29 - 9 a.m.-noon, Centreville - St. Joseph Co. Courthouse Lower Level, 125 W. Main St.
July 29 - 7-10 p.m., Clarksville - Clarksville Horticultural Experiment Station, 9302 Portland Road
Aug. 3 - 6:30-9:30 p.m., Coldwater - Branch Co. Fairgrounds 4-H Cabin, 262 S. Sprague St.
Aug. 4 - 6-9 p.m., Hanover - Hanover-Horton Historical Society Bldg., 101 Fairview St.
Aug. 7 - 9 a.m.-noon, Zeeland - Zeeland Township Hall, 6582 Byron Road
Aug. 7 - 2-5 p.m., Comstock Park - Alpine Twp. Hall, 2408 7 Mile Road NW
Farm Bureau seminar introduces local teens to American politics
Contact: Matt Kapp, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2027
LANSING, July 2, 2009 - More than 140 high school juniors and seniors from across the state participated in Michigan Farm Bureau's (MFB) Young People's Citizenship Seminar (YPCS), June 22-26 at Northwood University in Midland. The annual event aims to educate young people about the American political system, and inspire them to take an active role in it.
(TO LOCALIZE BY ADDING TEENS IN ATTENDANCE FROM YOUR AREA, SEE THE PDF LIST OF LOCAL PARTICIPANTS at http://www.michfb.com/files/2009/07-02-09_YPCS.pdf.)
The conference challenged participants to rally around causes, develop political platforms, caucus, organize campaigns and ultimately win over the hearts and minds of their peers in a mock bid for office. Those who registered to vote made their choices by casting ballots in actual voting booths.
This year's platform issues dealt with current hot topics such as parental responsibility, alternative energy, Fourth Amendment privacy rights, and the potential resurrection of the fairness doctrine to better ensure balanced media coverage of important events.
Throughout the seminar, presentations from a roster of speakers connected the overarching themes of service, perseverance, self-motivation and leadership. Among the guest speakers featured at this year's conference were motivational speaker Sheri Wohlfert and Detroit-area Holocaust survivor Martin Lowenberg.
"Regardless of what kind of environment or background the students come from, YPCS provides valuable exposure to young people at the earliest stages of their political involvement," said Matt Kapp, seminar organizer and MFB land stewardship specialist. "Our goal is to send the participants home with a greater sense of what it means to be an American, and with a well-informed interest in participating in our democracy. This benefits the students, their local communities, and the state of Michigan."
Social and recreational activities throughout the week also help foster a sense of community among students from both rural and urban backgrounds, as participants are not required to come from Farm Bureau member families.
Notable past YPCS participants include former Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus and U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers.
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Editor's Note: Participant photos are available at http://www.michfb.com/newsroom/photos. For additional media assistance, contact MFB County Communications Manager Jeremy C. Nagel at (800) 292-2680, ext. 6584, or jnagel1@michfb.com.
Contact: Matt Kapp, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2027
LANSING, July 2, 2009 - More than 140 high school juniors and seniors from across the state participated in Michigan Farm Bureau's (MFB) Young People's Citizenship Seminar (YPCS), June 22-26 at Northwood University in Midland. The annual event aims to educate young people about the American political system, and inspire them to take an active role in it.
(TO LOCALIZE BY ADDING TEENS IN ATTENDANCE FROM YOUR AREA, SEE THE PDF LIST OF LOCAL PARTICIPANTS at http://www.michfb.com/files/2009/07-02-09_YPCS.pdf.)
The conference challenged participants to rally around causes, develop political platforms, caucus, organize campaigns and ultimately win over the hearts and minds of their peers in a mock bid for office. Those who registered to vote made their choices by casting ballots in actual voting booths.
This year's platform issues dealt with current hot topics such as parental responsibility, alternative energy, Fourth Amendment privacy rights, and the potential resurrection of the fairness doctrine to better ensure balanced media coverage of important events.
Throughout the seminar, presentations from a roster of speakers connected the overarching themes of service, perseverance, self-motivation and leadership. Among the guest speakers featured at this year's conference were motivational speaker Sheri Wohlfert and Detroit-area Holocaust survivor Martin Lowenberg.
"Regardless of what kind of environment or background the students come from, YPCS provides valuable exposure to young people at the earliest stages of their political involvement," said Matt Kapp, seminar organizer and MFB land stewardship specialist. "Our goal is to send the participants home with a greater sense of what it means to be an American, and with a well-informed interest in participating in our democracy. This benefits the students, their local communities, and the state of Michigan."
Social and recreational activities throughout the week also help foster a sense of community among students from both rural and urban backgrounds, as participants are not required to come from Farm Bureau member families.
Notable past YPCS participants include former Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus and U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers.
-30-
Editor's Note: Participant photos are available at http://www.michfb.com/newsroom/photos. For additional media assistance, contact MFB County Communications Manager Jeremy C. Nagel at (800) 292-2680, ext. 6584, or jnagel1@michfb.com.
Climate change legislation remains 'seriously flawed'
Contact: Ryan Findlay, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2025
LANSING, July 2, 2009 - Farm Bureau is disappointed that H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, passed the U.S. House on June 26, and remains strongly opposed to the bill if it is brought up in the Senate.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) praised House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson's (D-Minn.) effort to improve the bill by including an amendment which establishes an agricultural offset program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture; provides for a list of eligible agricultural offsets; corrects the misuse of indirect land use calculations in evaluating the use of biofuels; and alters the definition of biomass.
"Even after the stellar efforts of House Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson and many rural members of Congress to win vital changes for America's farm families - efforts that we strongly endorse and support - there are simply too many flaws in the underlying bill," said AFBF President Bob Stallman, adding that the bill will "unquestionably impose enormous costs on the American economy, including agriculture."
An AFBF economic analysis shows that, at a minimum, net farm income will decline by $5 billion annually by the year 2020 if H.R. 2454 becomes law.
"The $5 billion impact is under the most optimistic set of assumptions," said Stallman. "Those estimates do not begin to tell the story of what will happen when the program mandated by this legislation fully takes hold."
AFBF is concerned because the bill would result in a net economic cost to farmers with little or no environmental benefit. In addition, it creates an "energy deficit" for the United States by curtailing the use of fossil fuels without supplying any realistic alternative to make up the lost energy.
Another problem with the bill are provisions that would potentially put the United States in violation of the World Trade Organization because it demands other nations to make equivalent commitments to greenhouse gas reductions or face punitive actions. These provisions would be unenforceable, and U.S. products would be subject to retaliatory tariffs and U.S. competitiveness would be harmed.
"H.R. 2454 may be the most important legislation considered in the 111th Congress," Stallman said. "It is critical that legislation not be approved that will harm agriculture, harm our economy and reduce economic opportunity for our children - all in the name of computer-driven scenarios, the science of which is increasingly brought into question."
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Contact: Ryan Findlay, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2025
LANSING, July 2, 2009 - Farm Bureau is disappointed that H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, passed the U.S. House on June 26, and remains strongly opposed to the bill if it is brought up in the Senate.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) praised House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson's (D-Minn.) effort to improve the bill by including an amendment which establishes an agricultural offset program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture; provides for a list of eligible agricultural offsets; corrects the misuse of indirect land use calculations in evaluating the use of biofuels; and alters the definition of biomass.
"Even after the stellar efforts of House Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson and many rural members of Congress to win vital changes for America's farm families - efforts that we strongly endorse and support - there are simply too many flaws in the underlying bill," said AFBF President Bob Stallman, adding that the bill will "unquestionably impose enormous costs on the American economy, including agriculture."
An AFBF economic analysis shows that, at a minimum, net farm income will decline by $5 billion annually by the year 2020 if H.R. 2454 becomes law.
"The $5 billion impact is under the most optimistic set of assumptions," said Stallman. "Those estimates do not begin to tell the story of what will happen when the program mandated by this legislation fully takes hold."
AFBF is concerned because the bill would result in a net economic cost to farmers with little or no environmental benefit. In addition, it creates an "energy deficit" for the United States by curtailing the use of fossil fuels without supplying any realistic alternative to make up the lost energy.
Another problem with the bill are provisions that would potentially put the United States in violation of the World Trade Organization because it demands other nations to make equivalent commitments to greenhouse gas reductions or face punitive actions. These provisions would be unenforceable, and U.S. products would be subject to retaliatory tariffs and U.S. competitiveness would be harmed.
"H.R. 2454 may be the most important legislation considered in the 111th Congress," Stallman said. "It is critical that legislation not be approved that will harm agriculture, harm our economy and reduce economic opportunity for our children - all in the name of computer-driven scenarios, the science of which is increasingly brought into question."
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