e-Directions is an information-sharing newsletter issued at least bi-monthly to help keep you updated on Extension-related issues covering restructuring, programming opportunities, strategic plan initiatives and enhancements and other information.
If you have any comments or suggestions to improve e-Directions or the Director’s Web site, please contact me at pcoreil@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Louisiana Legislative Update
The 2007 regular session of the Louisiana legislature came to a close on Thursday, June 28, and it was an overall excellent budget year for the LSU AgCenter and Higher Education. The legislature and the governor were able to come to an agreement on most issues after the deadlock was broken on the Capital Outlay Bill. Funding for Higher Education was increased significantly with most institutions brought up to 100% formula funding levels.
Additionally, funds were also provided for most mandates and for faculty cost-of-living and merit-based raises. The AgCenter also received an operating funding increase of approximately 4.5% - something that has not occurred for many years. Lastly, $2 million in one-time (non-recurring) funding was also provided for capital outlay needs.
With the session over, please take the time to thank all members of your respective legislative delegation for the excellent support provided to the LSU AgCenter in 2007.
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House Subcommittee Recommends Extension of Commodity Programs from 2002 Farm Bill
The following article is taken from the June 22, 2007 National Council of Farmer Cooperatives newsletter, Volume 4, Number 19:
The House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a markup for the commodity and risk management titles of the 2007 farm bill in June. By a vote of 18-0, the subcommittee approved an amendment offered by Subcommittee Chairman Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.) to substitute an extension of the 2002 Farm Bill language for commodity programs in place of the discussion draft initially considered by the Subcommittee.
Several amendments to the extension language were also approved by the Subcommittee. These included adjustments to the cotton and rice portions of the bill, establishment of a single corn and grain sorghum loan rate for each county and the creation of a pilot program in Indiana allowing for planting of tomatoes for contract processing on up to 10,000 base acres.
Other amendments also considered but not approved included one that would substitute the discussion draft language with the administration’s proposal for commodity programs; another that would substitute the plan floated by Citibank to allow commercial lenders to buy out farm program payments from producers; and a final one that would have replaced the discussion draft with the commodity title language contained in legislation introduced by Congressman Ron Kind (D-Wis.). The first two amendments were defeated by voice vote; a recorded vote on the Kind language was requested, and the amendment was unanimously opposed.
The Senate Agriculture Committee has not set a date for markup of its version of the 2007 Farm Bill.
For a list of bills that passed and failed, click here. This information is provided by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.
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Sign-up Resumes August 6 for Emergency Program to Restore Hurricane-damaged Forests
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced earlier this month that sign-up for the Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve Program (EFCRP) resumes August 6, 2007. The program helps landowners and operators restore and enhance the approximate 5.6 million acres of forestland damaged by the hurricanes of 2005.
This is the second time USDA has conducted sign-up for this partnership repairing forest damage. USDA first held sign-up last year following the enactment of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror and Hurricane Recovery 2006, Public Law (P.L.) 109-234. Congress originally authorized the EFCRP, under P.L. 109-148, as a pilot program to be operated during calendar year 2006. The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007, P.L. 110-28, signed by President Bush on May 25, 2007, removed the calendar year restriction paving the way for this latest sign-up.
Trees planted under this partnership help reduce flood effects, protect water sources, decrease soil erosion and improve wildlife habitat. To be eligible, in general, a producer must have experienced at least a 35 percent loss to merchantable timber on private nonindustrial forestland. The loss must relate directly to one of the calendar year 2005 hurricanes.
A list of eligible counties, located in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas, is available in the "Counties Eligible for 2005 Crop and Livestock Hurricane Assistance Programs" fact sheet found online at:
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/hurrcounties06.pdf.
Local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will accept offers for enrollment in Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve Program from producers starting August 6, 2007 and ending December 31, 2007. FSA will rank offers based on the potential to prevent soil erosion, improve water quality, restore wildlife habitat and mitigate economic loss caused by hurricanes and other factors. Those rankings will be based on evaluations performed by foresters. The ranking of offers are scheduled to occur quarterly. Eligible offers not selected during a ranking period will rollover to subsequent ranking period(s).
A fact sheet with additional program information is available by visiting a local FSA Service Center or online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov; click on Disaster Assistance.
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2007 Planted Acreage
The USDA released its first estimate on planted acreage for the 2007 crop year earlier this month. The following charts summarize the information for the 2007 planted acreage for the United States and for Louisiana on selected crops.
| 2007 U.S. Planted Acreage – Selected Crops |
|
|
2007 |
Change from |
Change from |
Change from |
Change from |
|
|
Planted |
Planting |
Planting |
2006 Planted |
2006 Planted |
|
|
Acres |
Intentions |
Intentions |
Acres |
Acres |
|
Crop |
(1,000 Acres) |
(1,000 Acres) |
(Percent) |
(1,000 Acres) |
(Percent) |
|
Corn |
92,888 |
2,434 |
2.69% |
14,561 |
18.59% |
|
Grain Sorghum |
7,765 |
656 |
9.23% |
1,243 |
19.06% |
|
Soybeans |
64,081 |
-3,059 |
-4.56% |
-11,441 |
-15.15% |
|
Cotton |
11,058 |
-1,089 |
-8.97% |
-4,216 |
-27.60% |
|
Rice |
2,744 |
100 |
3.78% |
-94 |
-3.31% |
|
Sweet Potatoes |
96.5 |
3.6 |
3.88% |
1.3 |
1.37% |
|
All Wheat |
60,505 |
202 |
0.33% |
3,161 |
5.51% |
|
Winter Wheat |
45,136 |
631 |
1.42% |
4,561 |
11.24% |
|
Sugarcane |
892 |
N/A |
N/A |
-6 |
-0.71% |
Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Acreage Report, June 29, 2007
| 2007 Louisiana Planted Acreage – Selected Crops |
|
|
2007 |
Change from |
Change from |
Change from |
Change from |
|
|
Planted |
Planting |
Planting |
2006 Planted |
2006 Planted |
|
|
Acres |
Intentions |
Intentions |
Acres |
Acres |
|
Crop |
(1,000 Acres) |
(1,000 Acres) |
(Percent) |
(1,000 Acres) |
(Percent) |
|
Corn |
750 |
50 |
7.14% |
450 |
150.00% |
|
Grain Sorghum |
210 |
30 |
16.67% |
120 |
133.33% |
|
Soybeans |
600 |
-30 |
-4.76% |
-270 |
-31.03% |
|
Cotton |
340 |
-40 |
-10.53% |
-295 |
-46.46% |
|
Rice |
390 |
30 |
8.33% |
40 |
11.43% |
|
Sweet Potatoes |
16 |
0 |
0.00% |
-2 |
-11.11% |
|
All Wheat |
220 |
0 |
0.00% |
105 |
91.30% |
|
Winter Wheat |
220 |
0 |
0.00% |
105 |
91.30% |
|
Sugarcane |
430 |
N/A |
N/A |
-5 |
-1.15% |
Source: USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Acreage Report, June 29, 2007.
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NCFC Urges Opposition to Legislation to Gut Farm Programs
The following article is taken from the June 22, 2007 National Council of Farmer Cooperatives newsletter, Volume 4, Number 19:
NCFC has joined with other agricultural interests in expressing opposition to farm legislation proposed by Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and others. The legislation is a revised version of earlier bill introduced by Rep. Kind. It would essentially eliminate current farm programs under the 2002 Farm Bill. In doing so, it would:
- Eliminate Counter Cyclical Payments in 2010 and beyond.
- Reduce Direct Payments to 65% in 2008 and further annually down to 10% in 2012. (Would be capped at $30,000 vs. $40,000 max)
- Eliminate Marketing Loans and LDPs by making them recourse loans only.
- Lower payment limits to AGI of less than $200,000 with other changes.
- Eliminate Planting Restrictions on fruits and vegetables.
- Eliminate Sugar tariff rate quota.
- Eliminate Peanut program.
- Eliminate Dairy price support. (Dairy farmers would receive 90% of 2003-2007 MILC payment with 50% directed to Risk Management Accounts.)
Even though direct payments would nearly be phased out, the bill would require farmers to be subject to a new index of environmental performance to be eligible to receive payments. Producers would be required to develop a plan of compliance certified by a third party. Failure to achieve highest level of compliance would result in penalties.
The legislation would replace these programs with Risk Management Accounts. Producers would be required to deposit 50% of direct payments received into an RMA in 2008-2009, rising to 100% in 2012. The bill would generally limit ability to withdraw or tap such funds to the extent that adjusted gross revenue fell below 95% of producer's 5-year average and then only up to 100%. (Among other issues, this would especially penalize a producer who had suffered recent disasters and reduced income during previous 5 years.)
Savings from elimination and changes in current farm programs would be shifted to other program areas, including conservation, energy, rural development and nutrition, as well as deficit reduction.
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Travel Policy Changes Effective 7/1/07
University Travel Regulations (PM-13) are being revised to reflect changes to the travel policy effective July 1, 2007. The revised PM-13 should be available on the Web site within the next two weeks. The most significant changes are:
- Mileage will be increased to 44 cents per mile. Mileage for parish owned/provided vehicles will be increased to 18 cents per mile.
- Seasonal routine and conference lodging rates have been implemented for the State of Louisiana. If you need to know what the new rates are before the revised PM-13 is available, please contact our office and we can advise you accordingly.
Please distribute this e-mail to the appropriate staff within your units. If you have any questions, please contact one of the following people:
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Name Change Approved for the Dean Lee Livestock Show Facility
The Board of Supervisors has approved the name change of the Dean Lee Livestock Show Facility. The facility’s new name will be C. Woodrow DeWitt, Sr. Livestock Show Facility. Mr. Woodrow DeWitt was a farm leader in Central Louisiana and is the deceased father of Representative Charlie DeWitt from the same region. A dedication has been set for September 5 at the facility. Members of the DeWitt family will be there to honor Mr. Woodrow on this special occasion.
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Dr. D. Allen Rutherford Named Director of the School of RNR
Dr. D. Allen Rutherford has accepted the position of Director of the School of Renewable Natural Resources effective July 1, 2007. He may be contacted by calling 225-578-4187 or via e-mail at DRutherford@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Please give Dr. Rutherford your full support as he assumes this new responsibility.
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eXtension ID
eXtension has a new initiative to increase the number of staff with eXtension IDs. By doing so, you’ll be allowed to work in the eXtension collaborative space, and you’ll be registered to receive routine e-mail updates on the initiative. Currently, 4,000 extension service staff have an ID. Due to your efforts, the LSU AgCenter is in the country’s top 10 in the number of staff with IDs.
If you do not have an eXtension ID, please consider it. Registering for an eXtension ID is a simple process! Just click here and you’ll be taken to the registration page. Encourage your friends and colleagues in Extension to do so today!
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Specialization Completions and Assignments; Graduate Degrees
The list below represents those who have completed specialization coursework this year, as well as those who have received graduate degrees. The individuals who have completed specialization coursework have been certified as complete by the Specialization Oversight Committee. Please think about specialization assignments for the faculty located within your respective region.
Individuals who completed specialization coursework this year include:
|
Name |
Region |
Parish |
Specialization |
|
Robin Walker-Hart |
SC / C |
St. James |
4-H |
|
Kim Jones |
SE |
Iberville |
4-H |
|
Amanda Simmons |
NC |
Lincoln |
4-H |
Individuals who have received degrees are:
Masters
Mandy Armentor (Nutrition & Dietetics) La. Tech
PhD
|
Peter Cannizzaro |
(HRE) |
LSU |
|
Melissa Cater |
(HRE) |
LSU |
|
Todd Tarifa |