Groups applaud Mexico’s axe of anti-dumping duties
WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc. (NCBA), Mexico’s Ministry of the Economy has eliminated anti-dumping duties that have been imposed on imports of U.S. beef for the past 10 years.

The Ministry’s resolution went into effect Aug. 11 and eliminates the duties effective April 29, 2010. U.S. beef arriving at Mexico’s border now enters the market duty-free, stated the NCBA. Companies that have paid duties since April 29 are entitled to a refund.

The U.S. beef industry has been seeking resolution of this issue for many years. The NCBA and the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) led a coalition of U.S. beef industry interests seeking elimination of the duties, which ranged from 3-29 cents per pound. The duties applied to about half of U.S. beef production.

“For nearly 10 years, U.S. beef producers via NCBA and USMEF have spent an enormous amount of time, money and effort to resolve this issue with Mexico,” said Steve Foglesong, NCBA president and Illinois cattle producer.

“Today’s news is a big win for all segments of the beef industry because throughout these 10 years many exporters, small and large, were locked out of our top export market due to these prohibitive duties.”

Bredesen names Oliver to lead department of ag
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Gov. Phil Bredesen announced Terry J. Oliver as the next commissioner of the state’s Department of Agriculture (TDA). Oliver, recently deputy commissioner, assumed his new role Monday.

“I have personally known Terry and have sought his advice and counsel through the years on agricultural issues,” said Bredesen. “Always dependable and a man of his word, Terry made a great team with former Commissioner Ken Givens in leading our efforts to address the needs and opportunities of farmers and rural communities.”

A West Tennessee farmer and businessman, Oliver has nearly 20 years of public service and experience in state government and has served four ag commissioners as deputy commissioner. He returned to state government in February 2003, having served previously in the same capacity from 1987-95.

A native of Gleason, Tenn., Oliver holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee-Martin. He is a member of the advisory council for the Governor’s School of Agriculture Sciences at UT Martin, one of only three enrichment programs in the nation for high school agriculture students.

Wright County Egg in voluntary recall
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling shell eggs produced by their farms because they have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.

Testing at the company’s farm showed some of the eggs may contain the bacteria. Consumers should return the eggs in the original carton to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

Eggs affected by this recall are packaged under the following brands: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps. Eggs are packed in varying sizes of cartons with Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946. Dates and codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton. The plant number begins with the letter P.

Ritz and Vilsack appointing cross-border trade group
OTTAWA, Ontario — Canada Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack agreed to the establishment of a high-level working group to advance a science-based approach to global agricultural trade, improve Canada-U.S. agricultural border flows and regulatory approaches and further strengthen the Canada-U.S. approach to food safety.

“Canada and the United States already exchange over $34 billion (U.S.) in agricultural products every year. Working together, we can break down barriers overseas and expand the opportunities for Canadian and American farmers throughout the world,” said Ritz.

According to the USDA, both agreed to promote science-based agricultural trade – including reducing trade barriers for genetically engineered products and other issues – to the shared benefit of both nations’ agricultural sectors. Both reaffirmed their interest in cooperation on priority markets for beef and other high-value agriculture products where possible.

Equipment accident causes Illinois farmer’s death
CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) — The Coles County coroner’s office is reporting the accidental death of a rural Charleston farmer.

Authorities said 50-year-old David Pearcy died Aug. 11 after being pinned between two pieces of equipment. Pearcy was pronounced dead at his farm near Fairgrange. Deputy Coroner Gene Wright said he was working on a piece of equipment in a machine shed when he became pinned between it and another piece.

Pit bull owner pleads guilty after dogs kill sheep
RUBICON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A Port Hope man has pled guilty to two violations of dog laws after his two pit bulls escaped and killed a herd of sheep in Michigan’s rural Thumb region.

The Bay City Times reported Friday that 25-year-old Matthew Leese pled last week to having a stray dog and unlicensed dog. Huron County Prosecutor Timothy Rutkowski said Leese agreed to pay restitution and put the dogs down.

Leese’s pit bulls killed more than 20 sheep June 3 that were being boarded on a farm in Rubicon Township, about 70 miles northeast of Saginaw. He is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 3.