China purchases U.S. corn; likely to buy even more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On April 28 the USDA announced the export sale of 4.5 million bushels of U.S. corn to China. Despite strong production gains as a result of market-based reforms instituted 30 years ago, according to the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), the rapid growth of China’s agricultural output has begun to be outpaced by demand.

The convergence of China’s demand and production, in conjunction with dramatic economic growth, has likely encouraged China to open its markets to corn imports, according to the USGC.
“For the past 30 years, the U.S. Grains Council has had a presence in China, working with local producers, feed millers and manufacturers to demonstrate the value and cost effectiveness of U.S. corn and their co-products,” said Rick Fruth, USGC chairman and an Ohio corn farmer.

USGC sources suggest six additional cargos of U.S. corn (9.8-11.8 million bushels) may have been booked for China delivery.
“This tranche of U.S. corn exports to China is certainly exciting and should pave the way for continuing imports,” said Mike Callahan, USGC senior director for international operations. “As China’s demand continues to increase, along with its economic growth and urbanization, China is likely to rely more heavily on imports as a way to maintain critical supply and demand balances.”

Officials: Four injured in fire at Illinois plant fire

CHESTER, Ill. (AP) — Fire officials say an explosion and fire at a grain bin in southern Illinois town has injured four workers.
Chester Fire Department spokesman Marty Bert said three of the injuries are burns and another is a leg injury. But he didn’t have further details. He said all other workers were accounted for and safe.

Bert said the blast occurred at the ConAgra plant in Chester around 4 p.m. on April 27 and a subsequent fire continued to burn late in the day. The official said contractors were apparently doing work on the bin at the time. But he said there’s no immediate word about a cause, which is now under investigation.

Chester is about 60 miles southeast of St. Louis.

House Ag hits the road for 2012 farm bill hearings
WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Agriculture Committee Chair Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) has begun a series of field hearings to hear from people about U.S. farm policy in advance of the 2012 farm bill.

Starting last Friday, the committee began hearings in Iowa, Idaho, California and Wyoming. The committee will hold a second series of field hearings May 14-18 in Georgia, Alabama, Texas and South Dakota.

For those who cannot attend the hearings, the committee plans to provide live video coverage of each hearing on its website at http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/audio.html

The committee will also collect public comments about the farm bill on its website at http://agriculture.house.gov/

inside/feedbackform.html and all comments received online by June 14 will be included in the committee’s farm bill field hearing record.

Indiana opts for federal high-risk insurance pool
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (AP) — Gov. Mitch Daniels said Indiana will not expand its high-risk insurance pool program for people with certain preexisting medical conditions. Instead, it’ll allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish coverage for the state.

The new federal health care law offers subsidized premiums to people with some preexisting conditions. Daniels sent a letter Friday to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius saying the state is opting out of expanding its program because costs and requirements are unknown and federal funding for the project will run out before the program ends in 2014.

Sebelius gave states a Friday deadline to say whether they’d participate. A federal backup program will serve residents of states not participating in the expansion.

Ohio horse owner convicted in animal cruelty case

PORT CLINTON, Ohio (AP) — A jury has convicted an Ohio woman of 42 animal cruelty counts filed after authorities said dozens of emaciated Arabian horses were taken from her farm.

The Ottawa County Municipal Court jury deliberated for about three hours before convicting 55-year-old Robin Vess on Friday. She faces up to 18 months in jail at her June 4 sentencing. The horses were taken by the Humane Society of Ottawa County in January from the farm near Oak Harbor, about 25 miles southeast of Toledo. The Arabian Rescue Mission of New Jersey has placed the surviving horses in foster care in Ohio.

Vess said after the verdict, “Never would I do anything to hurt one of my animals.” She said someone she hired had been feeding the horses because she suffered severe depression following deaths in her family.