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| News from Around the Farm World - April 28, 2010 |
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Grassley, Conrad take up ethanol tax incentive fight
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) have introduced the GREEN Jobs Act of 2010 that would extend key tax incentives for the use and production of all forms of ethanol. Specifically, the bill extends through 2015 the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC), the offsetting tariff on foreign ethanol, the Small Producers Tax Credit, and the Cellulosic Ethanol Producer Tax Credit.
The Green Jobs Act of 2010 is the companion legislation to H.R. 4940, the Renewable Fuels Reinvestment Act, introduced by Reps. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.) and John Shimkus (R-Ill.).
“Tax incentives aiding the expansion of America’s ethanol industry are sound public policies by any economic, environmental or energy measure,” said Renewable Fuels Assoc. President Bob Dinneen. “Domestic ethanol use is lowering the price of gasoline, reducing imports of foreign oil, and helping stabilize and reinvigorate rural economies all across the country.”
JCB takes court action to stop product copying
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Last week, JCB took tough action against three Far Eastern manufacturers for product copying and patent infringements.
The company successfully applied for court orders in Germany resulting in preliminary injunctions being served against manufacturers who were exhibiting the infringing machines at the BAUMA international construction equipment show in Munich.
As a result of the tough action, the machines had to be either removed from the show and impounded or concealed from view.
Tim Burnhope, JCB’s Group Managing Director of Product Development and Commercial Operations, said: “JCB will not tolerate blatant copying of its machines or infringement of internationally-recognized patents and in every instance will act quickly and decisively to stamp out such unfair practices.
“JCB invests many years and many millions of pounds developing and innovating new products and it’s clearly unfair for any manufacturer to then simply free-ride on the results of that investment and research. As an industry we all have to unite to prevent such unlawful practices.“
The action in Germany concerned infringement of JCB’s intellectual property rights on its world-leading backhoe loader and Loadall machines by three separate Far Eastern manufacturers.
Cattle-based fuel runs Okla.-Texas passenger train
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (AP) — Amtrak and transportation officials from Oklahoma and Texas have started a yearlong test to see whether beef-based biodiesel can efficiently run The Heartland Flyer passenger train between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth.
Texas cattle are supplying 20 percent of the fuel for the 3,200-horsepower engine; the rest is regular No. 2 diesel. In ceremonies April 20 at the Sante Fe station in downtown Oklahoma City, government and railroad officials announced the test as part of last week’s Earth Day events.
After a year, Amtrak will inspect the engine and collect exhaust data. Other tests will be performed throughout the year. The train stops at Oklahoma City, Norman, Purcell, Pauls Valley and Ardmore in Oklahoma and at Gainesville and Fort Worth in Texas.
TDA accepting proposals for Specialty Crop Block Grants
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is accepting proposals for the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. These funds will help enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, which are fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts and nursery crops including floriculture.
Administered by the TDA, the grants are authorized through the federal Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. Proposals are divided into three main categories: Good Ag Practices/Food Safety/Traceability; Farmers’ Markets/Wholesale Produce; and Innovative Specialty Crop Projects.
Tennessee is eligible for more than $517,000 to support grower education, infrastructure needs, food safety and marketing. Universities, institutions, cooperatives, producers, industry or community-based organizations may submit a proposal for project funding for up to $50,000.
Proposals must be delivered to TDA no later than May 21. Proposal requirements and other information can be found at www.tn.gov/agriculture/marketing/produce.html or call Rob Beets at 615-837-5160 or e-mail him at Robert.Beets@TN.gov
Pigs killed with hammer and buried in NW Iowa
LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say 13 pigs that were stolen from hog confinements in northwestern Iowa were beaten to death with a hammer and buried near a creek in rural Plymouth County.
The sheriff’s office said three hog confinements were broken into two weeks ago.
The pigs were stolen from two of them, while tools were taken from the other one. Four people were arrested after the break-ins, and two of them are accused of killing the pigs.
Jason Peters, of Brunsville, and Ryan Utesch, of Le Mars, are each charged with livestock abuse. The men, along with Robert Trobaugh and Cassandra Hansen, both of Le Mars, face burglary and theft charges. All four remained jailed on $20,000 bond each, as of April 21. The sheriff’s office said each has requested a court-appointed attorney.
Antique farming practices on display at show
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Already grumbling over mowing the lawn? Try watching a horse-drawn plow.
Literal horsepower will be on display at the Antique Farm Show May 1 at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site. Fields will be plowed with teams, weather permitting. Other historic farm equipment and techniques from the 19th century will also be on display.
The show is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. Area residents who still use horses in farming will bring their teams and antique equipment. Other old-time implements will be displayed at the blacksmith shop.
Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, about 20 miles northwest of Springfield, is a reconstruction of the 1830s log village where Abraham Lincoln spent six years of his life.
Old Shaker barn restored for museum
AUBURN, Ky. (AP) — A museum dedicated to the Shaker community in south-central Kentucky has completed two major restoration projects on its grounds that took five years and cost $500,000.
The Shaker Museum At South Union opened its renovated 1875 grain barn and Shaker cemetery Saturday. The barn, with tongue-and-groove poplar floors, white clapboard siding and blue ventilation shutters, had been hidden by additions to the original structure.
The cemetery had its limestone grave markers removed when the land was sold in 1922. |
| 4/28/2010 |
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