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News from Around the Farm World - Dec. 9, 2009

Crop insurance deadlines fast approaching
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Farmers who still have not completed harvest need to begin the process of applying for crop insurance deadline extensions. The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has offered guidance on its crop insurance procedures to affected farmers with a checklist and explanations on its website at www.rma.usda.gov/pubs/2009/delayedharvestwet.pdf

“While farmers have made substantial progress in recent weeks, wet conditions and high moisture contents have made finishing harvest prior to crop insurance deadlines impossible for many farmers,” National Corn Growers Assoc. (NCGA) President Darrin Ihnen said.

RMA’S procedures allow crop insurance companies to authorize policyholders on a case-by-case basis more time to attempt to harvest so claims can be settled based on harvest production. According to the NCGA, farmers requiring this sort of extension should: contact their insurance agent to report a loss; tell the agent harvest is delayed due to inclement weather; continue normal harvest practices, if possible; and document conditions for acreage and actions taken, to receive an accurate claim payment.

The end of the insurance period for most spring-planted crops is Dec. 10. RMA notes the contractual date cannot be extended through the agency. Instead, farmers should review conditions listed on RMA’s website that must be met before the crop insurance company is allowed to authorize additional time for harvesting and settlement of any claims.

USDA will conduct nationwide horticultural census

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The USDA will soon conduct the 2009 Census of Horticultural Specialties. Taken once every 10 years, this census provides detailed information on horticultural production and sales across the United States.

“The Census of Horticulture will include producers of floriculture, nursery and other specialty crops,” said Debra Kenerson, director of the Tennessee Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). “This is an opportunity for horticultural producers to share their voices and help ensure the continued growth and long-term sustainability of horticultural farming in the United States.”
The results of the census are used by industry, government, academia and others, aiding in the development of sound programs and policies, research and market analysis and business planning.

“The results will help shape future decisions regarding availability of goods and services, community development, funding and other key issues,” Kenerson noted.

This month, NASS will mail the Census of Horticultural Specialties to all known horticultural operations in the U.S. Recipients are required to respond by Feb. 5, 2010. NASS will publish the results in December 2010.

Census participants are guaranteed by law (Title 7, U.S. Code) that their individual information will be kept confidential. NASS uses the information only for statistical purposes and publishes data only in tabulated totals.

For more information about the Census of Horticulture, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call 800-626-0987.

Tenn. lawmaker mulls bill to make animal abuse a felony
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Rep. Janis Sontany is considering legislation that would make abuse of any confined animal a felony.

The Nashville Democrat recently visited the Tennessee State Fairgrounds and viewed 82 nearly starved horses and two mules that had been moved there last week after being found in squalid conditions on a Cannon County farm. Sontany told The Tennessean that farm animals were not included when a measure that addressed dog and cat abuse passed the legislature because of objections from farming community representatives.

However, she said such treatment of horses – or any confined animal – should be a felony as it is when a dog or cat is abused. “We no longer should give anyone a pass if they hold back food and water,” Sontany said.

Cannon County Sheriff Billy Nichols said the two men from whose farm the animals were removed face misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. Cannon County Detective Charlie Wilder said about 40 horses were found inside a barn on the farm with urine and manure that sank past his boot. He said “one dead horse was lying among the live ones.”

Other horses had been confined outside in an area with not enough grass for grazing. About 35 of the healthiest horses are to be moved to an equine rescue group this week, said Scotlund Haisley, senior director of emergency services for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

“This started as a rescue operation, and now it’s a lifesaving operation,” he said. “It’s miraculous that we’ve had as many survivors as we’ve had this far.”

Officials said the district attorney is expected to file more charges against the men, with evidence that the nonprofit groups taking care of the animals say they have gathered to document the neglect. HSUS, working with United Animal Nations, estimates the cost of the rescue and work will run about $250,000.

Farmers coalition offers reward in Iowa pig deaths

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Coalition to Support Iowa Farmers is offering a reward of up to $3,500 for information leading to the arrest in the suffocation of 3,800 pigs at a hog operation near Hull in northwestern Iowa. The combined rewards from the coalition and the Humane Society of the United States now equal $6,000.

The Sioux County sheriff’s office said deputies were called to the hog operation on Nov. 13 by the owner, Todd Hasche. Authorities said someone overnight tampered with the control to the building’s airflow system, causing the pigs to suffocate. The main breakers were turned off, a standby generator was turned off and the alarm system was disabled.

The loss of the pigs is estimated at more than $200,000.

Cattle sellers reject Iowa meatpacker payment request

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Hundreds of companies paid by a bankrupt kosher slaughterhouse last year have been told to give back much of the money they received 90 days before the bankruptcy announcement.

The companies received the letter this week from the trustee for Agriprocessors, Inc., whose lawyer said the companies can negotiate their return payments. The slaughterhouse declared bankruptcy in November 2008, months after an immigration raid. Manager Sholom Rubashkin was convicted last month of 86 counts of financial fraud.

Cattle sellers such as Jeff Reed of the Central Livestock Assoc. in Minnesota said they won’t return the money. The trustee’s attorney, Dan Childers, says the demand ensures Agriprocessors didn’t hide money with relatives or otherwise disguise its assets.

12/9/2009