Cattle Industry Leaders Discuss the Largest Trading Relationship in the World

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2009
Contacts: Christi Lightcap, Colorado Department of Agriculture, (303) 239-4190
Jennifer Cook, Consulate General of Canada, (303) 589-8782

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Consulate General of Canada in Denver hosted a roundtable to discuss local and international issues facing today’s cattle industry.

Nearly 50 industry leaders and students gathered on Sunday, January 18, 2009, at the National Western Stock Show complex. The program was led by Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture John Stulp and Consul General of Canada Dale Eisler. The dialog covered a variety of cattle-related issues including country-of-origin labeling and air and water quality.

“The movement of live cattle and beef products between the United States and Canada totals nearly $3 billion annually and Colorado’s beef industry plays a major role in that relationship,” said Stulp. “The goal of this roundtable was to discuss challenges facing the cattle industry in both countries in order to continue building on that relationship.”

The consul General echoed the Commissioner’s comments: "The closely integrated Canada-U.S. cattle industry is a key part of our trading relationship. So these kinds of discussions are important to ensuring our economies remain open and strong," said Eisler.

The United States and Canada are each other’s largest trading partners, with total trade between the two countries projected to top $600 billion for 2008.

• In 2007, over one-fifth of total U.S. exported goods went to Canada ($249 billion) and for 36 states, Canada was the #1 destination for exports.
• Total U.S. exports to Canada have risen by more than 150 percent since the enactment of NAFTA in 1994. During this same time, exports of agricultural products from Colorado have grown by more than 300 percent from $81 million to $343.5 million in 2007.
• In 2007, total combined trade of agricultural products between the U.S. and Canada totaled $32.5 billion. Of this amount, exports totaling $343.5 million originated from Colorado, including $125 million in beef.
• For January through November of 2008, Colorado exports of fresh, chilled and frozen beef to Canada are reported at $160 million – a level 48 percent higher than the same period in 2007.

For more on Colorado’s agricultural exports, visit http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Agriculture-Main/CDAG/1221475092115.

To learn more about the Canada–U.S.A. agriculture trading relationship, visit
www.agr.gc.ca/usadvocacy.
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Contagious equine metritis update.

The latest update from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Division of Animal Health is here.

The Agricultural Development Fund is an economic development success story.

by Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer

Everyone knows the economy is down. But one investment portfolio right here in Kentucky has yielded a 9 percent annual return since 2001, and a few of the investments in that portfolio have returned in excess of 24 percent.

That “portfolio” isn’t the product of some high-end investment firm. It’s the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, which invests tobacco settlement money into projects that help Kentucky farmers and businesses add to their income.

In a report released in November, the University of Kentucky said that grants for individual agricultural development projects yielded $1.87 in new income to farmers for every $1 invested. That $1.87 is turning over multiple times in Kentucky’s economy.

Kentucky farmers set a record with $4.7 billion in cash receipts in 2008. The Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund helped make that possible.
The fund uses half of Kentucky’s master tobacco settlement money to share the costs of projects to improve agricultural operations and find new markets for Kentucky Proud farm products. No tax dollars are used in these investments.

More than $279 million has been invested in Kentucky agriculture since the fund was created in 2001. These investments are helping farmers while at the same time creating jobs and generating economic activity.

Broadbent B&B Foods opened a new pork processing plant and retail store in Lyon County last spring. Ronny and Beth Drennan’s business employs 12 full-time and another dozen seasonal workers. The retail store offers Kentucky Proud products from about 40 other producers. The Agricultural Development Fund helped pay for the new facility and made it possible for the Drennans to secure the rest of the financing they needed.

A greenhouse and a multipurpose facility in Cumberland County were built in part with cost share funds from the Agricultural Development Fund. The greenhouse at Cumberland County High School teaches students how to raise plants but also how to run a business and work with customers. The multipurpose facility gives local producers and crafts people an indoor, climate-controlled venue from which to sell their products.

Trunnell’s Farm Market in Daviess County was financed with help from the Agricultural Development Fund. A forgivable loan provides incentive for Trunnell’s to stock products from Kentucky Proud producers.

Agricultural development funds made it possible for Madison County farmer Eddie Warren to improve and expand his beef cattle operation to make up for lost income due to a sharp decline in tobacco production. Agricultural development funds made it possible for dairy farmer Don Kinslow of Barren County to renovate his milking parlor and build a free-stall barn that enables him to run his 500-cow operation more efficiently.

I could tell you dozens of other stories just like these.

The economic impact of these investments goes far beyond that return on investment in the UK report. These farmers and business people will spend their new income in their local communities for groceries, clothes for their children and other necessities of life. Their employees will do the same. Kentucky Proud vendors who ring up new sales through retailers such as Broadbent and Trunnell’s will spend those dollars in their respective communities. So will their employees. They all will pay taxes to their local governments for law enforcement, fire protection, schools, libraries and other vital services.

No other state is doing what Kentucky is doing with its tobacco settlement money. Some other states used part or all of their funds to plug holes in their budgets. That money is gone, never to be seen again. The investments Kentucky has made in its agriculture industry will continue to pay dividends for years to come.

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund has succeeded in generating new farm income. It has succeeded with no tax dollars. And it has enabled some 50,000 Kentuckians throughout the Commonwealth to improve their standard of living. I urge you to contact your legislators and tell them to continue these wise, successful investments in Kentucky’s future.

Contagious equine metritis update.

KDA revises CEM testing and treatment protocols.


Click here for the revision.

KDA announces new entry requirements for CEM-exposed and at-risk mares. Click here for announcement.
The latest update from the Division of Animal Health is here.

A fact sheet about contagious equine metritis is here.

KDA's equine health page is here.

Kentucky Proud takes the lead at first black-tie inaugural ball.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 16, 2009
For more information contact:Bill Clary
(502) 564-1137

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Guests at the Bluegrass Ball will be greeted with Kentucky Proud products when they arrive at the first of the black-tie inaugural galas Monday night in Washington, D.C. Each of the nearly 1,500 guests will receive a bag containing Kentucky Proud foods and other pieces of Kentucky culture.

“I am thrilled that these Kentucky Proud products will get the national attention they deserve,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “The guests at the Bluegrass Ball will find out what we in Kentucky have known all along – when it comes to Kentucky Proud, nothing else is close.”

A Kentucky Proud producer took the reins to pull together the Kentucky Proud products for the bags. Officials from the state Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet contacted Kevin McKee of KD’s Homemade BBQ Sauce in Lee County about donating a product for the ball. McKee traveled the state to talk to Kentucky Proud producers about donating products. McKee said nobody turned him away, and he ended up with products from 17 Kentucky Proud businesses.

“These bags will be flowing with good things from Kentucky,” McKee said.

Honi Marleen Goldman of the Kentucky Society of Washington said she believes Kentucky is the only state that provides such a large amount of local food for an inaugural ball. She said Kentucky Proud foods also were featured prominently at the 2005 Bluegrass Ball.

Kentucky Proud businesses that donated products for the ball include:
Age International Inc., Frankfort
Applecreek Farms, Lexington
Assmann’s, Franklin
Bluegrass Bourbon Balls, Taylorsville
Edna Mae’s Special Recipes, Versailles
Herb’n Renewal, Lancaster
KD’s Homemade BBQ Sauce, Leeco
Kentucky Specialty Sauces, Lexington
Mama’s Seasoned Products, Auburn
McDowell Farms Salsa, Germantown
Mrs. Rogers Popcorn, Lexington
Simply Kentucky Confectionery, Lexington
Southern Belle Dairy, Somerset
Southern Delight Gourmet Foods, Bowling Green
Sunflower Sundries, Mt. Olivet
Weisenberger Mill, Midway
WindStone Farms, Paris

Dignitaries expected to attend the ball at the Marriott Wardman Park include former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and members of Kentucky’s congressional delegation.

Guest Chef Michael Paley of Proof on Main in Louisville will prepare the meal. Steve Buttleman, the official bugler at Churchill Downs, will call guests to dinner, and the Lexington band Joey and the Cruisers will provide the entertainment. The Bluegrass Ball is presented by the Kentucky Society of Washington.

Visit Kentucky Proud here.

Contagious Equine Metritis Update

KDA announces new entry requirements for CEM-exposed and at-risk mares.


Click here for announcement.

Students can use words and pictures to show why "I am Kentucky Proud."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 5, 2009
For more information contact:
Bill Clary
(502) 564-4696


FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer invites Kentucky school children to show why “I Am Kentucky Proud” in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s annual Poster and Essay Contest.

“The Kentucky Proud movement is sweeping the Commonwealth,” Commissioner Farmer said. “This contest will help our children learn what Kentucky Proud is and how it helps consumers find healthy, great-tasting food while also helping Kentucky farmers make a living.”

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade may enter a poster, an essay or both about Kentucky Proud. Statewide winners in each grade will be awarded a $100 savings bond and will be honored at the annual Kentucky Agriculture Day luncheon March 10 in Frankfort.

Poster contest entries must be in color on white paper, must demonstrate the theme and must include the theme in the artwork. Entries should be submitted rolled in a tube or wrapped flat. Essay contest entries must be no more than 150 words for participants in kindergarten through third grade and no more than 250 words for those in fourth through eighth grade.

Entries must be mailed to Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Poster and Essay Contest, 100 Fair Oaks Lane, 5th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. Entries must be postmarked no later than Feb. 13. The KDA will notify winners in each grade by Feb. 20.

For complete contest rules and an entry form, go to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Web Site, www.kyagr.com, click on Education Resources under the Programs menu, click on Agriculture Education and click on 2009 Poster & Essay Contest Rules and Entry Forms. For more information, contact Elizabeth McNulty at (502) 564-4983 or elizabeth.mcnulty@ky.gov.


Visit KDA's Ag Education page here.