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News from the Minnesota Association of Wheat |
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GLICKMAN LEADS PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION TO CHINA
FARMLAND CEO URGES CONGRESS TO VOTE TO CHINA PNTR "The best way to deal with the trade deficit is to lower trade barriers
to foreign markets for American agricultural products, goods and services," Cleberg told the U.S. Trade Deficit Commission. Cleberg stressed that an important step America can take to reduce its trade
deficit is for Congress to approve PNTR for China, which would allow the United States to reap the benefits of China's accession into the World Trade Organization (WTO). Read more at
CHINA BUYS SOUTH AMERICAN SOYBEANS A trader said there was talk China also bought two shipments of U.S. soybeans at $230 a tonne C&F, but
these purchases were not confirmed. Another trader said he had doubts about the purchase of the higher priced U.S. soybeans. The soybean buying by China came as the supply of soymeal dwindled and the domestic soymeal
price rose in China's producing areas in the north to more than 2,000 yuan ($241) a tonne, traders said.
CHILE FEBRUARY WHEAT IMPORTS SOAR In January-February 2000, Chile did not import any durum wheat, which is commonly used for pasta, it said, adding that the country imported 1,298 tonnes of durum
wheat in January-February 1999 for $156,000. Imports of bread wheat in the first two months of this year totaled $4.82 million compared with $5.18 million in the same period in 1999, it said. Also in the
first two months of this year, Chile imported 575 tonnes of wheat flour for $115,000 versus 935 tonnes for $218,000 in January-February 1999. The United States, Canada and Argentina are the main suppliers of wheat to
Chile. Chile resumed importing U.S. wheat in calendar year 1998. It had halted imports in March 1996 because of a fungus known as Karnal bunt, found in the southwestern United States. The fungus, which caused the
wheat to smell bad, also reduced yields. Chile reversed its decision in October 1997. The agricultural year for Chilean wheat runs from April to March. Planting takes place between April and October, and
the harvest runs from December to March.
CORN SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS 1999
MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES "Responses varied greatly as to what the
top-three weed problems were for 1999, but about 25 percent of the farmers did harbor a grudge against foxtail (pigeongrass)," says Denise McWilliams, extension crop production specialist for North Dakota State
University and the University of Minnesota. When deciding on the top three weed problems, the corn farmers responding to the survey varied greatly in their choices. For more information about the survey, contact
the North Dakota Corn Growers Association at (701) 293-7467 or Denise McWilliams at (701) 231-8160. Read the complete article at "In order to be considered
prime hay, alfalfa in the bale must have an RFV of 151 or greater," explains Dwain Meyer, NDSU plant sciences professor. "The reason we shoot for an RFV of 175 to 180 in the field is because wilting,
harvesting and storage can lower RFV by 25 to 30 points." Read the complete article at
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
WHEAT GROWERS REPORT FROM WASHINGTON NAWG ON THE GO AG GROUPS PROTEST EPA RULE ON DIESEL FUEL As an alternative to the proposal, the letter
states that EPA set an on-road diesel fuel sulfur cap at around 50 parts per million – a 90 percent reduction from the current level. Additionally, EPA should delay or phase in any implementation of a diesel rule until
the final gasoline rule has been implemented as well as maintain a higher off-highway diesel fuel standard to minimize costs to farmers and ranchers INTERNATIONAL WHEAT SCAB SYMPOSIUM The agenda will include the exploration of resistant germplasms, the mapping and genetic examination of scab resistant genes, fusarium pathology, scab resistance breeding and
methodologies. Participant will also tour a processing center and other facilities in the area. Further details can be found on the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Iniative web site at WHEAT FOODS COUNCIL RESPONDS TO WHEAT BRAN POLYP PREVENTION TRIAL STUDY According to Council President Judi Adams, MS RD, "This study required participants to remain on a high- or low-fiber diet for three years. However, the number of subjects in the
high-fiber group adequately adhering to the diet was much lower during years two and three. It's difficult to determine if wheat bran fiber can be protective if it's not consumed." Adams continued, "If anything,
this study illustrates that people should consume more fiber and whole grains to prevent the first occurrence of colorectal polyps. It's just like brushing your teeth to prevent the onset of cavities – once you have a
cavity, all the brushing in the world isn't going to make it go away." Many health experts, including the study's lead investigators, emphasize Americans should continue to eat a diet rich in complex carbohydrates and whole grains. Fiber-rich foods protect against developing colon polyps in the first place, as well as coronary heart disease, hypertension, certain types of diabetes, and other types of cancer. In addition, Dr. Arthur Schatzkin, Chief of the National Cancer Institute's Nutrition Epidemiology Branch, and lead investigator of a similar study in the April 20 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, said "Adopting a diet low in animal fat, high in whole grains, and rich in vegetables and fruit can improve one's overall health and reduce the risk of chronic disease." Other medical doctors in the field of nutrition also spoke out stating the many health benefits of whole grain foods and wheat bran.
Additionally, the revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans, anticipated to be released by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services at the end of May, will continue to emphasize at least
six daily servings of grain foods as the base of a healthy diet – with several of these servings from whole grain foods. COURTS BEGIN ACTION ON RAIL MERGER The schedule set by the court is as follows: Intervenors and/or Amici
Supporting Petitioners brief is due May 19, 2000 . BN and CN's joint reply brief is due May 24, 2000 Oral arguments before the court on Tuesday June 13, 2000 It is expected that a decision on this matter
may be made fairly quickly after oral arguments are heard THIS WEEK ON CAPITOL HILL UPDATE ON CROP INSURANCE CONFERENCE NAWG continues its work to advance the reforms supported by wheat
growers while trying to head-off changes, which might prove detrimental. It is anticipated that the conference committee will not finish its work until mid-May. TRADE NEWS FROM WETEC PNTR FOR CHINA WILL FAIL
UNLESS YOU GET INVOLVED The wheat producer position is simple and unwavering: U.S. wheat growers strongly support China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO)
and the immediate approval of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status for China. On April 7, 2000, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives
would vote on PNTR for China during the week of May 22, 2000. Wheat producers greeted this announcement as a positive step toward a successful outcome. But victory on this critical vote is far from
certain. At least 218 votes are needed pass PNTR in the House, and many members have not yet committed to how they will vote. American wheat growers must intensify their efforts in the weeks leading up to the
China PNTR vote to assure its success. U.S. wheat producers have traditionally supported renewal of China's trade status because of China's vast potential as a wheat market for U.S. exports. In 1989, following the
Tiananmen Square Pro-Democracy demonstrations in Beijing, U.S. wheat producers and their Washington representatives were among the key voices in support of continued trade with China. Senators from key wheat producing
states, acting on behalf of their constituents, sustained two presidential vetoes of bills to rescind China's trade status. At that time, our efforts focused on encouraging the President to extend a Jackson-Vanik
waiver by the annual June 3 deadline and to discourage Congress from overturning the President's decision or attaching unrealistic or unattainable conditions to the trade legislation. This year's legislative battle
over China's trade relations with the United States is dramatically different. After lengthy negotiations for China's entry into the WTO, and the announcement of a comprehensive bilateral trade deal, President
Clinton has proposed breaking the contentious cycle of an annual review and granting PNTR for China. This initiative, if successful, will allow the U.S. to immediately reap the benefits of bilateral agreements reached
between the U.S. and China last November and to be positioned for the benefits that will occur upon China's imminent accession to the WTO. The price of failure is just as dramatic. China will become a member of
the WTO and the U.S. will be sitting on the sidelines while our competitors take advantage of the trade concessions the U.S. negotiated. Based on USDA's estimates, the U.S. will walk away with an increase of
approximately $2 billion in annual farm export sales. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman estimates that the U.S.-China WTO Accession Agreement could add an expected $1.6 billion annually to U.S. grain, oilseed
and cotton exports by the year 2005. China is potentially the world's largest wheat market. Unfortunately, it has maintained a non-tariff trade barrier on U.S. wheat exported from Pacific Northwest ports since
1972, and from Gulf ports since June of 1996, due to the perceived threat of TCK smut. This has had a negative impact on all U.S. wheat producers. In April of 1999, Prime Minister Zhu Rongji announced China's
intention to lift its long-standing restrictions on the export of U.S. wheat from areas where TCK is known to occur. The agreement allows U.S. wheat to be exported from any state or any U.S. port to any Chinese port as
long as these imports do not exceed a tolerance level of 30,000 TCK spores per 50-gram sample. This level can easily be met by U.S. wheat exporters and provides the necessary level of protection against infection that
the Chinese sought. The agreement was effective immediately and spans one year and will become permanent upon China's entry into the WTO. On February 22, 2000, China purchased 50,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat under
the April agreement. This "trial shipment" consisted of 30,000 metric tons of soft wheat, 10,000 metric tons of hard red spring wheat, and 10,000 metric tons on hard red winter wheat. Nearly one month to
the day following the announcement that it had bought U.S. wheat, China issued new rules governing the import of U.S. wheat, marking the final stage in the implementation of the April 1999 agreement. PNTR is an
irresistible deal for U.S. farmers and ranchers. This virtually limitless trade opportunity coincides with the third consecutive year of economic downturn for American farmers and ranchers. American agriculture
simply cannot afford to let this opportunity pass by allowing PNTR to fail. Please make sure you contact your Senators and Representatives to advise them of your strong support for passage of PNTR. If you need any
additional materials to support your position, or if your member of Congress seeks any statistical or other information, call WETEC at 202-547-2004 for assistance. NEWS FROM USDA/EPA/USTR
USDA SECRETARY LEADS DELEGATION TO CHINA The purpose of the visit is to learn more about U.S. export opportunities, U.S. China relations, and discuss China's commitment to market-opening agreements and international trade rules. In
doing so, the delegation will meet with senior government officials, academics, American business leaders in Beijing, processing centers, and other businesses throughout the region.
USDA HELPS TO BOLSTER EXPORTS VIA THE WEB This week the USDA announced a new on-line directory of U.S. exporters of food, fiber, fish and forest products. According to the USDA over 2,800 exporters registered on
paper in 1999 and they are expecting over 4,000 to register on-line. USDA plans to promote this directory to overseas buyers and importers through agricultural attaches, trade officers, DC staff. To access
the on-line directories go to, "Report from Washington" Published weekly by the National Association of Wheat Growers, 415 Second Street, NE Suite
300Washington, DC 20002. |
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