Avian Influenza News
8/14/2008
Researchers fear other bird flu virus may cause pandemic
WASHINGTON (AFP) — US scientists Wednesday raised fears that a different strain of the bird flu virus could mutate to become more easily transmissible among humans and trigger a pandemic.
Government News
8/26/2008
USDA Rural Development to Hold Public Meeting on Farm Bill Renewable Energy Provisions
WASHINGTON, August 20, 2008 - Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr today announced that a public meeting will be held on Sept. 4, 2008-in conjunction with USDA's Farm Service Agency and Forest Service-on how to implement renewable energy programs authorized under the recently enacted farm bill.
8/13/2008
USDA Crop Production data
Corn production down 6 percent from 2007. Soybean production up 15 percent from last year. All wheat production virtually unchanged from July forecast.
Industry News
8/12/2008
Moody's gives negative outlook for food industry
NEW YORK — Moody’s Investors Service has rated the outlook for the U.S. food industry as "negative." The projection was made with the expectation commodity prices in 2009 will further surpass historical averages resulting in pressure on profit margins and putting cash flow at risk for most companies
Other Organizations' News
8/8/2008
Chicken Industry “Deeply Disappointed” by EPA Inaction On Ethanol Waiver, Urges Congress To Reform Program
The chicken industry is "deeply disappointed" by the Environmental Protection Agency's refusal to grant a waiver of the ethanol mandate that is diverting billions of bushels of corn from livestock and poultry feed into motor fuel, according to the National Chicken Council.
Poultry News
8/27/2008
First Biogas Plant Using 70 Percent Chicken Manure as Feedstock Inaugurated
The supposedly world's first biogas/biomethane plant that runs on 70 percent chicken
manure as a feedstock was officially inaugurated in Baasdorf (Eastern Germany) in August
2008. Compared to a standard biogas plant that runs predominantly on corn silage, the
Baasdorf plant needs a lot less acreage for the production of feedstock while simultaneously
providing an environmentally friendly way of disposing chicken manure. If economically
viable, biogas plants of these kinds could stir biogas production out of the line of fire in the
food versus fuel debate.
Avian Influenza Information
"Avian influenza: It's not in your food" is the key message of http://www.avianinfluenzainfo.com, a joint project of the National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and Egg Safety Center. Information is given in brief articles, a question-and-answer format and in news releases. Some information is also provided in Spanish, and links to sources of official information, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are also available.
Information Resources on Avian Influenza (USDA)
Fact Sheet: Safeguarding America Against Pandemic Influenza (White House)
National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza (White House)
A resource on avian flu for those traveling abroad
Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook: Tables
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