Trade Agreement With Chile Will Benefit Farmers/Ranchers WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Secretary Ann Veneman released the following statement Tuesday, Dec. 11, after the conclusion of the trade agreement with Chile “Today’s announcement that the United States and Chile have concluded a free-trade agreement is good news for America’s farm ers, ranchers and exporters who are eager to take advantage of the new and promising export opportunities that the agreement will bring. “Under this FTA, our access to Chile’s market will improve for a variety of U.S. agricultural prod ucts, including durum wheat, USDA Issues New Scrapie Eradication Program Recordkeeping Guidelines For Markets, Dealers BOWLING GREEN, Ky. New compliance guidelines to simplify record-keeping for sheep and goat dealers and markets have been is sued by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Vet erinary Services (APHIS-VS) as part of the national scrapie eradi cation program. The new record-keeping compliance guide lines require only standard business practices of recording buyer, seller, the number of animals, date, species and breed or class of animal. No longer will dealers and/or market operators be expected to record individual identification in formation unless individual “IDs” are inserted or replaced by a dealer or market. The record-keeping change is important to all segments of the sheep and goat industries, according to Dr. Cindy Wolf, Sheep Health committee chairperson for the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) and a small ru minant specialist with the University of Minne sota. “It allows market channels to operate nor mally and still be in compliance with the scrapie eradication program.” The new guidelines will not affect existing ID and record-keeping requirements for most pro ducers. The exceptions are for owners of low risk commercial sheep and owners of goats that have been commingled with low-risk commer cial sheep. These producers may now identify their sheep and goats with an official premises ear tag rather than a registered brand or ear notch. More information on these and other topics relating to the scrapie eradication program is available on the Internet at vmw.animalagricuiture.org/scrapie, or call toll free (866) 873-2824. Winners Named In KILE Junior Steer Show HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) The HJM Cattle Company of Richland was selected as the grand champion winner in this year’s Keystone International Livestock Exposition (KILE) Jun ior Steer Show. Megan Fuls, 16, exhibited her champion crossbred market steer for the compe tition. She has been showing at KILE for eight years. The breeds of the champion steer were Paul and Beth Wingard of Sunrise Club Calves, Ship penville. The reserve grand champion steer was owned and exhibited by Red Rock Farm, Etters. Megan Fuls, Richland, exhibited the chdmpion market steer. pork, beef, feed grains, and dairy, horticultural, and high-value food products. Over three-quar ters of U.S. farm goods will enter Chile duty-free within four years and all duties on U.S. products will be phased out over 12 years. ‘U.S. wheat, wheat flour and vegetable oils will now receive the most preferential rate available and will be duty-free at the con clusion of the transition period. In the past, Chile’s price band system sharply constrained ex port opportunities for these prod ucts. ‘Both of our countries have re newed their commitment to con tinue the work on resolving ira- Visit us at the KEYSTONE FARM SHOW January 7, 8 & 9 in Memorial Hall (West Wing) The Lil Spring Series gives you more for your money • Double the drinking capacity • Great for fence line or stall locations • Fits most existing concrete pads • Poly construction • The under side is completely sealed • No exposed foam or wires for mice to chew • Stainless steel anchors included • Miraco exclusive 5 year warranty 12 Ft. DAIRY WATERER 100 Gallon Capacity 12 Ft. Long, 22 In. Wide, 22 In. Tall Introducing BlGspring Model #6lOO Designed for Quick & Easy Cleaning • Access from 3 sides • No wasted space • Pour foundation with curve for easy cleaning • Center between stalls or one on each end of single stalls SPECIFICATIONS • Length. 80” • Width: 36” • Drinking Height: 24” •Weight: 175 lbs. • Water Capacity 60 gals • Optional electric heat • Capacity Dairy: 100 head • Valve MIRACO all plastic valve • 8 Stainless steel concrete anchors • Durable one-piece poly construction • Urethane foam insulation portant sanitary and phytosanitary issues that inhibit market access. “While U.S. tariffs will also be eliminated over time under the FT A, the agreement has a provi sion that will help protect farm ers and ranchers from sudden surges in imports from Chile. When the safeguard is triggered, additional duties will be applied. “This FTA is another step to ward this Administration’s goal of harmonizing market access abroad for U.S. agricultural pro ducers and exporters. The agree ment will give America’s farmers and ranchers and the businesses they support improved, and in many cases, new access to a mar ket of 15 million consumers. “I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to Ambassador Zoellick as well as the team of negotiators from both countries, who have worked long and hard for two years to make this FTA a reality. Cooperation in trade in this hemisphere will benefit all of us. Today’s agreement moves us closer to that goal.” Multipurpose Livestock Waterers m MGspnng For Information or EMMERT FARM DISTRIBUTORS Nearest Dealer ca 11... RD #-| BoJ( 10ig Ha||stead pA 18822 570-879-4869 1 ' f ' r '' NACD Calls On President To Stop Cuts In Conservation Funding WASHINGTON, D.C. The National Association of Conser vation Districts (NACD) has called upon President Bush to stop the Office of Management and Budget’s redirection of con servation technical assistance funding. An NACD analysis shows that OMB has redirected at least $75 million of technical assistance funding in 2002. These actions undercut the role farmers and ranchers play in protecting the nation’s natural resources. The magnitude of the problem will only grow as funding for the Farm Bill is ramped up over the next five years. “These conservation programs are crucial to achieving a cleaner, healthier environment on the na tion’s private working lands benefits that translate to an im proved quality of life for all Americans,” said NACD’s Presi dent Read Smith. “The public will be the ultimate losers if the administration does not fully fund these programs.” We Salute Our Faming Industry 3100 POLY FEED BUNKS Various sizes for special applications Solid Poly Bunks with Stainless Steel Hardware The first waterers specifically id ff stall 1 tallatin- At the heart of the issue is whether the base conservation technical assistance funds that support private lands conserva tion in every county in the coun try should be redirected. Despite clear direction from Congress in the Farm Bill law, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) wants to redirect funds intended to support non-Farm Bill conser vation programs, and use them to fuel the technical assistance needs of the new Farm Bill con servation programs. NACD is calling upon the Ad ministration to fully fund the technical assistance component of the 2002 Farm Bill conserva tion programs enacted by Con gress earlier this year. “America’s farmers and ranchers are count ing on these programs to help as sure their economic future and improve their ability to protect the environment for all,” Smith said. MIRACO A division of Ahrens Agricultural Industries Dealer Inquiries Welcome 1
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