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July 2011
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Click this seal to go to the top of the newsletter
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NTF Staff
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President
Joel Brandenberger; Ext. 7226
Legislative
Damon Wells; Ext. 7232
Leslee Oden; Ext. 7228
Scientific & Regulatory
Beth Johnson; Ext. 7233
Andrew Bailey; Ext. 7224
Communications
Sherrie Rosenblatt; Ext. 7227
Adrienne Richards; Ext. 7223
Kelley Hower; Ext. 7234
Membership
Jen Zukowski; Ext. 7229
Clara Sackey; Ext. 7221
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President's Message
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Greetings!
The journey to last month's historic ethanol votes began in earnest for NTF during our 2004 Leadership Conference.
Though the federation had been quietly discussing problems with a proposed ethanol mandate in a select number of Capitol Hill offices, NTF did not openly raise concerns about the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) until that summer.
As with all monumentally difficult enterprises, the results of the 2004 grassroots efforts by NTF members seemed inauspicious at first glance. Members reported being met with everything from quizzical stares (what could be bad about ethanol?) from lawmakers in many turkey producing districts to outright hostility from corn-state legislators. A year later, the first RFS was included in the 2005 Energy Bill with little serious debate.
But the seeds of concern that were planted that summer began, ever so slowly, to grow. They came into full flower last month when the Senate voted 73-27 to repeal the ethanol tax credit and import tariff. That same day, the House voted overwhelmingly to deny USDA funding to help pay for ethanol industry infrastructure.
As you will read in this newsletter, these victories do not signal the end of federal support for the ethanol industry, but they were a major symbolic blow to an industry that had never suffered a major legislative defeat in Congress. Big ethanol still holds considerable political clout in Washington and will fight hard to maintain and expand its network of government supports.
That's why we'll still be talking about ethanol later this month at the Leadership Conference and on into the future. Nonetheless, there has been a fundamental shift in the way Congress views ethanol subsidies, and any new proposal by the ethanol industry will be met with serious skepticism.
Last month's votes prove that grassroots lobbying can make a difference. Everyone in the turkey industry who has helped raise the alarm these past seven years about ethanol's impact on feed availability and food prices can take satisfaction in knowing that we are making measurable progress in our long journey.
Sincerely,
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Economic Update written by Tom Elam, FarmEcon, LLC
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2011/2012 - A High Risk Business Environment: As we pass the halfway point in 2011, most of you are probably starting to work on 2012 business plans. You might plan for an expanding market, lower costs and growing sales. If markets tighten and costs increase, the bottom line will quickly move into negative values. However, if you plan on a declining market and higher costs, but both go the other way, you will lose sales and market share to competitors. Lost share is often expensive to recover.
Some of the major upside and downside risks for the next 18 months include:
Feed Costs: Feed costs are a major risk factor that will affect the bottom line. USDA's latest look at this year and next year points to continued high corn and soybean meal prices, minimal pipeline ending stocks, and the potential for large moves in feedstuffs pricing. There is even the risk that in August and September some users will not be able to find corn on the spot market at any price.
Click here to read the full article.
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Legislative
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Key Ethanol Votes in the House and Senate: After nearly eight years of intense work, NTF and its coalition partners achieved a significant victory when the Senate on June 16 voted to repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and the ethanol import tariff. By an overwhelming vote of 73-27, the Senate passed a bipartisan amendment offered by Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., that eliminates funding for these ethanol subsidies.
The same day, the House voted 283-128 on an amendment, offered by Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., to prohibit USDA from spending funds in the coming fiscal year for the construction of ethanol blender pumps and storage facilities. While the appropriations process has stalled in the Senate, any funding mechanism that is ultimately considered later this year will have to reconcile this provision in the bill before moving forward.
Working with its coalition partners, NTF issued a press release applauding these two important votes.
CFO of Sietsema Farms Testifies Before the Senate Agriculture Committee: Rick Sietsema, CFO of Sietsema Farms in Allendale, Mich., on June 28 testified before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry on the state of the livestock and poultry industry.
Rick Sietsema (left), CFO of Sietsema Farms, testifies
before the Senate Agriculture Committee.
In his testimony, Sietsema highlighted his company's proactive work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the importance of these programs nationwide, along with their involvement with Michigan's environmental assurance program. Sietsema also took the opportunity to talk about other important issues affecting the turkey industry, including ethanol subsidies and the proposed GIPSA marketing rule.
House Looks to Repeal Ethanol Subsidies: Reps. Wally Herger, R-Calif., and Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., introduced a bipartisan bill, the Ethanol Subsidy Repeal Act (H.R. 2307), to immediately repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC), as well as the import tariff. The bill is similar to an amendment passed by Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. See if your representative has co-sponsored the legislation here. If not, please contact your representative and encourage them to become a sponsor of the bill.
House Eliminates Funding for GIPSA Rule: On June 16, the House approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill by a vote of 217-203, which included a provision that prohibits GIPSA from spending any money in FY2012 to promulgate its controversial livestock and poultry marketing rule. The bill totals $17.2 billion in discretionary spending and includes a cut of more than $2.6 billion from the FY2011 bill. Additionally, NTF and its coalition partners issued a press release commending House lawmakers for eliminating funding for the proposed GIPSA rule. So far, the release received 22 impressions, reaching a circulation of more than 194,000.
E-Verify Legislation Introduced in the House: House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, introduced the Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 2164), which mandates E-Verify for all U.S. employers. The legislation has a gradual phase-in enrollment program of every six months for new hires, according to the number of employees within a business. Under the bill, agricultural employers are only subject to an E-Verify check within a three-year time period from the date of enactment. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration. See if your representative has co-sponsored the legislation here. If not, please contact your representative and encourage them to co-sponsor.
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Scientific and Regulatory
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Technical and Regulatory
NTF Asks FSIS for Clarity Surrounding Investigations and Recalls of Raw Poultry Products: NTF led a discussion between FSIS and other meat and poultry associations to better understand current investigation and actions pertaining to the recall of raw poultry products. NTF noted that although FSIS has provided guidance on investigations to inspectors, it could communicate more with the industry about their procedures. FSIS agreed to work with NTF and others to identify a process that will clarify agency actions to help companies better target resources and manage recall risk.
FSIS Slows Implementation of Public Health Information System: NTF met with FSIS on June 21 to clarify the timing of the new Public Health Information System (PHIS). FSIS officials noted that they are working through technical challenges with the data collection as well as further refinements to the system. The agency now anticipates full implementation by the end of 2011. FSIS staff will be speaking about PHIS progress at the Technical and Regulatory Committee meeting on July 26 during NTF's Leadership Conference.
Live Production and Environment
Pfizer Animal Health Suspends the Sale of 3-Nitro Roxarsone: On June 8, Pfizer Animal Health announced that it would voluntarily suspend sales, effective July 8, of its Roxarsone product, 3-Nitro, for all species. Roxarsone is an arsenic-based feed-efficiency product used in poultry and swine production (it also aids in the prevention of coccidiosis in poultry when used in combination with other medicines). This action was taken at the request of FDA, based on an FDA study that showed a slight increase in the amount of inorganic arsenic in the livers of chicken treated with 3-Nitro compared to the livers of chickens that were not treated. Pfizer has not withdrawn the FDA approval for the product, leaving open the possibility of resuming sales at a future date. FDA stated that consumers who eat chicken regularly should not be concerned, nor should they alter consumption patterns. Pfizer said it would work with companies to develop alternative treatment strategies. NTF developed talking points to help answer media inquiries and questions companies may have received. The federation received no media inquiries.
NTF Meets with EPA: NTF, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association and other leading animal agriculture organizations on June 24 met with senior EPA officials to discuss a variety of enforcement issues. A major focus of the meeting was EPA enforcement activities that are particularly burdensome to poultry and livestock producers without substantially improving water quality. While the trade associations and EPA clearly had differing views on the effectiveness of some enforcement actions, the two sides agreed follow-up meetings could be beneficial.
APHIS Announces New Long-Term Vision for Veterinary Services: In an effort to enhance their role as the nation's animal health leader, APHIS Veterinary Services has set a new course, which establishes five set goals for the organization and workforce, including optimizing their readiness and response.
Worker Safety and Human Resources
Joint Poultry Industry Safety Awards: Fifty-six turkey and chicken companies were recognized for their outstanding safety performance during the 2011 National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry held in Savannah, Ga. The annual safety awards are based on injury statistics over three years and an evaluation of written applications by three judges: Craig Wyvill, retired director of the Agricultural Technology Research Program at Georgia Tech Research Institute, Gary Pohlmann of Marsh Risk Consulting, and Doug Britton, program manager for Agricultural Technology Research at GTRI.
Safety and Health Council Meeting Successful: The Joint Poultry Industry Safety and Health Council met in Savannah, Ga., during the National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry. Committee discussion focused on OSHA's national survey on employer's safety and health practices, the potential for post offer employment testing to ensure final applicants are able to do physically demanding jobs, and the recent pre-trip/post-trip inspection video produced by U.S. Poultry and Egg Association that shows truck drivers how to check their vehicle for safety before and after transport. Minutes from the meeting are available here.
Comments Submitted on Reporting of Ergonomic-Related Injuries: The Joint Worker Safety and Health Council resubmitted comments on OSHA's proposed rule to restore a column to the OSHA 300 Log that employers would use to record work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The comments focused on the adequacy of existing reporting requirements, the definition of work-related injury and the unintended consequences of adding a column. OSHA reopened the comment period on this proposed rule earlier this year, and the Joint Council decided to resubmit the comments from March 2010.
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Marketing Communications
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Marketing Upgrade It! Campaign Results Update: NTF's satellite media tour (SMT) received additional airtime last month in Colorado Springs and Lexington, Ky., bringing the SMT total to 23 interviews with television and radio stations that reached an audience of more than 5.4 million. Additionally, a camera-ready newspaper article was sent last month to more than 10,000 daily and weekly newspapers nationwide. The article is also posted on Napsnet.com, which receives 8,000 unique visitors per week. A 30-second radio spot was also sent to more than 6,000 radio stations throughout the United States for use on news and talk shows. NTF's Meal Upgrade Calculator on June 24 was featured in the Children's Health and Happiness insert in the Miami Herald. Thank to Butterball LLC, the publication used NTF's food photography, and included an interview with NTF's Sherrie Rosenblatt and Shape Up America's Dr. Barbara Moore, along with an announcement to visit the calculator at MealUpgrade.com. Member companies are encouraged to use this template, insert their company logo, and use it in their own marketing communication materials. Media Planet, the sponsor of the insert, also recognized NTF (@turkeygal) on Twitter. NTF Launches Grilled Turkey Meatball Recipe Video: NTF kicked off "June is Turkey Lovers'® Month" with a cooking video of Chef Philip Anderson, director of fresh foods at Harris Teeter supermarket, grilling up turkey meatballs. Anderson's recipe includes both ground turkey and Italian turkey sausage. According to monkeysee.com, the video has received nearly 4,000 views.
Issues NTF Participates in Media Call on Ethanol Subsidies: NTF's Joel Brandenberger on June 9 participated in a media call, along with Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS) and Friends of the Earth, where TCS released Big Oil, Big Corn: An in-depth look at the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC). The TCS report discusses the government policies that ensure a market for ethanol, the excessive cost of the VEETC to taxpayers, the impact ethanol subsidies have on increasing the price of goods in other markets, and the environmental costs of ethanol production. Brandenberger specifically discussed how current U.S. biofuels policies have caused serious harm to the turkey industry and without reform will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. He acknowledged that the turkey industry supports alternative sources of energy, but it is time the mature corn-based ethanol industry operates fairly in the marketplace with other industries that rely on corn as their major input. Government Food Safety Ad Campaign Launches: Three government agencies -- USDA, FDA and CDC -- on June 28 launched a national multimedia public service Ad Council campaign to raise awareness of safe food handling. The campaign includes television, radio, print and web advertising, as well as a social media program. The program includes a new Facebook page and outreach via Twitter that emphasizes "clean, cook, chill and separate" messages. |
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Member Services
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CONGRESSIONAL RECEPTION
2011 Leadership Conference: More than 140 NTF members have already signed up for the opportunity to speak one-on-one with their elected officials during NTF's Leadership Conference, July 24-26, in Washington. Top issues during this year's conference will include renewable fuels policy, GIPSA's poultry and livestock proposed marketing rule and potential free trade agreements. A list of committee agendas is available on NTF's 2011 Leadership Conference page.
You still have time to register! Go to NTF's "Members' Only" website to sign-up today!
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Remember to Renew Your 2011 NTF Membership!
Renew your membership online,
by calling 202/730-9642, or by mail.
If you have questions about your
membership, contact
Jennifer Zukowski Dansereau.
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Did You Know? You can access information from past NTF meetings on the "Members' Only" website? 1. Log into the "Members' Only" website using your username and password (see President's Message). 2. Hold your cursor over "Member Services" on the left side of the screen. 3. Click on "Past Meetings." 4. Here you will find programs and attendee lists from past Annual Conventions and Leadership Conferences. |
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Giblets
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NTF Executive Committee member Gary Cooper, Cooper Farms, will address attendees at U.S. Poultry and Egg Association's 2011 Women's Leadership Conference, Aug. 18-19, in Atlantic Beach, Fla. The program will highlight techniques that enhance professional development and refine leadership and management skills. 
Bob Peterson, Willmar Poultry Company, received the 2011 Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Allied Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-term service to Minnesota's turkey industry.
Kraft Foods launched its Oscar Mayer Sandwich Combinations, including Oven Roasted Turkey and Sharp Cheddar.
T.O.M. Award recipient BJs Restaurants opened STACKED, a fast casual eatery located in Torrance, Calif., where guests can design their own order (via tableside iPads) or choose from signature items like turkey burgers.
T.O.M. Award winner Mimi's Café's added a new salad, Mediterranean Mini Wedge, which includes diced turkey.
Fifteen semi-finalists' recipes were selected in First Lady Michelle Obama's Recipes for Healthy Kids competition, a national contest to promote healthy eating among children, including Tuscan Smoked Turkey and Bean Soup and Porcupine Sliders with Ground Turkey.
According to MenuTrends, smoked turkey usage has increased 11.3 percent in the restaurant industry, with four different chains adding smoked turkey sandwiches and salads to their menu this year.
The U.S. Poultry and Egg Association's Foundation is now accepting applications for its Poultry Science Education Fund, which supports student recruitment at U.S. colleges and universities with poultry science programs. Any institution that offers an identifiable poultry science program is eligible for a recruitment grant of up to $7,000. Applications are due by Aug. 1.
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