One of the earliest wheat harvests in Kansas history is nearly over. Good riddance, many farmers say, as yields were disappointing for the most part. That's not to say, however, that all Kansas wheat performed poorly: farmers in central Kansas had a good harvest, according to a news article in the Salina Journal…
- Much of the wheat in Saline County and surrounding counties was better than average and with higher than normal prices, which bode well for farmers in those locations.
- Harvest in western Kansas, however, is a different story. Congressman Jerry Moran visited the Russell and Mark Fischer farm in Ford County just over a week ago. Moran, who says the Kansas harvest is the worst in a decade, says "the conditions in Ford County were every bit as bad, if not worse. My observations…have further strengthened my resolve to fight for disaster assistance for Kansas farmers who continue to experience losses from drought…"
- Disaster assistance, Moran said in his weekly update letter, was provided for farmers in hurricane devastated areas in a bill two weeks ago. Moran believes farmers in drought-affected areas also should receive assistance…
- To pick and choose which farmers receive assistance is unacceptable. An act of God is an act of God. The inadequate moisture in the Midwest accounts for no less damage than that experienced by farmers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama"...
- Let's get to some good news about beef. After months of negotiations, the Japanese government has agreed to resume beef trade with the U.S. The embargo is due in part to a Dec. 23, 2003 case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy discovered in the U.S.; trade finally resumed between the two countries in Dec., 2005, only to be cancelled after shipments of boxed beef from the U.S. to Japan contained bone fragments, a no-no under the previously negotiated agreement…
- This latest agreement could allow beef trade to resume as early as late July. Details of the agreement have not yet been made public…
- Some Americans remain skeptical that trade, in fact, will resume. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) has introduced legislation that will slap trade tariffs on Japanese products unless beef trade resumes by Aug. 31…
- Terry Stokes, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association chief executive officer, said in a statement last week, "…After years of empty promises and continued delays, U.S. beef producers remain skeptical of Japan’s dependability as a trading partner. As we proceed with implementing steps toward trade resumption, NCBA will continue to insist on science-based standards. Under this current agreement, there remains no language to provide for the export of bone-in product or for beef from animals between 20 and 30 months of age."...