December 2002

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Tis The Season Of Mistletoe By Carol Savonen, Oregon State University Most of the time we don't notice mistletoe growing in oaks. But once the oak leaves have fallen, mistletoe stands out in dark clumps against the winter sky. Is mistletoe harmful to your oak trees? It depends on how much you have in a given oak tree, explained Greg Filip, forester with the Oregon State University Extension Service. The mistletoe found in Oregon white oaks and the black oaks of southern Oregon is known by botanists as "Phoradendedron villosum," or oak mistletoe. A parasite plant, mistletoe gets water and nutrients from it host plant, the oak tree. Oak mistletoe is spread from tree to tree by birds, who dine on sticky mistletoe berries. They disperse mistletoe seeds in their excrement. "The type of mistletoe growing on oaks in Oregon gets moisture and nutrients from the oak tree," explained Filip. "The roots of the mistletoe grow into the branches of the oak tree, so if you snap off the mistletoe, it grows back." Filip recommends removing mistletoe only from heavily infested oak trees. "If you have two or three clumps on a tree, there's probably no problem," said Filip. "But 10 or 20 clumps per tree is different. I'd recommend breaking off the plants. They will eventually grow back, but at least you'll slow the plants down." There is no chemical control available for oak mistletoe control, he said. Most people will want to call an arborist, a professional tree care specialist, to remove large quantities of mistletoe, especially in large, difficult to climb trees. Also found in Oregon are the juniper mistletoe, incense cedar mistletoe and the dwarf mistletoes. All these are more inconspicuous than the larger leafed oak mistletoes. Dwarf mistletoes parasitize conifer trees. "Dwarf mistletoes cause growth loss in conifers," said Filip. "Unlike the oak mistletoe, which takes only food and nutrients, the dwarf types also take carbohydrates or the sap. The dwarf mistletoes change the growth pattern of some trees, stimulating thick broomy sections to grow. "But these dwarf mistletoes brooms are starting to be looked at by some forest managers as a benefit, rather than a problem," he said. "Foresters have found out these dwarf mistletoe brooms serve as spotted owl and other owl nest sites, because they provide good cover for the owl." Mistletoe has one added benefit. It becomes a good excuse to smooch your favorite person at holiday parties. UI Potato Conference By Brad Geary, University of Idaho Whether they're concerned about potato viruses or irrigation supplies and whether they're interested in remote sensing or soil microbiology, potato growers will find provocative ideas and expert speakers at the University of Idaho's 35th Annual Potato Conference and Ag Expo. Slated for Jan. 22-23 in Pocatello, the conference will also offer expanded sessions in Spanish-covering the management of insects, weeds, diseases, powdery scab and bruise as well as chemigation and pesticide safety. "We have topics that are of great interest to growers throughout the year," says Brad Geary, University of Idaho Extension potato specialist in Parma. Developed in consultation with the potato industry, the UI Potato Conference agenda covers aspects of potato production that are "very important to growing a quality crop in very stressful times of low-water and economic constraints," Geary says. Pesticide recertification credits are available for many of the English- and Spanish-language classes. Among the topics that will be addressed by speakers from potato-growing areas throughout the U.S. are: • PVYn, PVYntn, purple top, mop top and pink rot diseases • virus transmission and control • hydrologic status of Snake River Plain water resources • ventilation systems, including variable-frequency drive fan control • soil microbiology • chemical and biological insect control • remote sensing • on-farm applications of site-specific technologies • chemical maturity monitoring • seed piece spacing and economic returns • phosphorus management • variety fertility • irrigation, leaching and moisture management • farm and food safety • equitable crop lease arrangements • growers' rights and obligations under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930. The UI Potato Conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 22 and conclude at noon Jan. 23 at Idaho State University's Pond Student Union Building. Registration fees for those who pre-register by Jan. 10 are $15 in-state and $75 out-of-state. Fees at the door are $20 and $90, respectively. To pre-register, call Jim Hughes at 208/529-8376 in Idaho Falls or click on http://extension.ag.uidaho.edu/district4/potato.html for a complete agenda and registration form. For additional information, call Geary at 208/722-6701, Ext. 221, in Parma or write him at bgeary@uidaho.edu. OSU Economist Estimates Cost Of GM Food Labels By Theresa Novak, Oregon State University An economics professor at Oregon State University reports that requiring labels for genetically modified foods could cost an average Oregonian less than a dollar a year, or as much as $10, depending on how requirements are defined and applied. Oregonians will decide Nov. 5 whether to approve Measure 27, which would require labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods and ingredients. If voters pass the measure, Oregon would become the first state in the nation to require such labeling. Jaeger, an economist and Extension agriculture and resource policy specialist for OSU's Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, has produced a research paper titled "Economic Issues and Oregon's Ballot Measure 27: Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods." It estimates costs associated with labeling GM foods. "(The paper) is based on economic studies of GM labeling programs in Great Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand," Jaeger said. "It examines these cost estimates and considers differences between these programs and the proposed Oregon program." Measure 27 is similar to GM labeling options being considered in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, where the estimated cost of GM labeling is $3 - $10 a year for each person. Based on these costs, the OSU study estimates the annual government cost of the Oregon ballot measure would amount to between $100,000 and $1.25 million. Jaeger's paper is an analysis of five alternative options for GM labeling that range in cost and complexity. These cost estimates range from 23 cents a year for each consumer for labeling only those products made directly from genetically modified foods, to $3.89 for labeling of products in which genetically modified substances were used during production or processing. Measure 27's costs would be at the high end of the range because of how extensively genetically modified products are defined in the measure, Jaeger said. For example, the more expensive estimate includes the labeling of meat, eggs, and dairy products produced from animals fed genetically modified feed, as does Measure 27. Some U.S. food producers and exporters already separate genetically modified foods from the rest to comply with GM labeling requirements in effect in other nations. Twenty-two nations, including Great Britain, France, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Mexico - and the European Union - have passed regulations that require GM food labeling. Because of this, Jaeger said, extra costs due directly to GM labeling requirements in Oregon may be reduced. Corn, soybeans, canola and cotton account for most of the genetically manufactured crops grown in the United States. Few genetically modified crops are grown in Oregon, which would reduce the cost to farmers of complying with Measure 27 if it passes, Jaeger said. Less than 1 percent of farm sales in Oregon come from growing genetically modified corn or soybeans. Oregon farmers grow virtually no canola or cotton. Jaeger's analysis also addressed key questions about Measure 27, such as what effect it might have on food producers, and how it might affect the competitiveness of locally made products, product availability, transportation costs, and trade status. Another consequence of GM labeling could be that Oregon products might be at a competitive disadvantage when sold in other states, Jaeger said. Consumers who see the words "genetically modified" or "genetically engineered" on a label might opt for an identical product that does not have the label, and this could raise the costs of Measure 27. The entire text of Jaeger's study can be found at: Economic Issues and Oregon Ballot Measure 27: Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods. Many foods now on grocer's shelves contain GM ingredients, including corn chips, corn taco shells; soft drinks containing high fructose corn syrup, soymilk, and canola oil. Genetic modification, also known as genetic engineering or genetic alteration, all are terms that refer to the practice of transferring a genetic trait from one species into another. The resulting modified species has characteristics that would not have occurred naturally, or would have required years of traditional breeding methods, Jaeger said. Genetic modification in agriculture has been controversial since it came to light in the late 1990s. At the heart of the complex and contentious debate, proponents of genetic modification in agriculture contend that it is a safe, valuable tool for efficiently producing more food, even in poor soils and dry conditions, Jaeger said. They point out that some genetically modified crops require fewer pesticides, an environmental bonus. Those critical of applying genetic modification to agriculture contend that its safety to health and the environment is unproven, and its developers too quickly and too quietly applied the new technology to crop production in the mid-1990s, without much regard to public concerns about the potential risks of GM technology. Supporters of labeling contend that consumers have a right to know what is in their food to make informed choices, Jaeger said. Pork Producers/Importers Must Continue Check-Off On November 15, 2002, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit granted a request for stay which allows the pork checkoff program to continue without interruption while the appeal is pending. An Oct. 25 decision by a District Court in Michigan ruled that the Pork Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act is unconstitutional and directed that the collection of assessments and operation of the National Pork Board cease by Nov. 24, 2002. However, the stay postpones implementation of the Michigan decision and the pork checkoff program will continue to operate and conduct operations as normal during the pendency of the appeal. This stay was requested by the Department of Justice on behalf of USDA. In accordance with this court order, the pork promotion and research program will remain in effect and pork producers and importers must continue to pay pork checkoff assessments. Producers and importers who fail to pay the assessment may be subject to late payment charges and civil penalties. A Billion Tonnes More Grain Needed By 2030 Global cereal production will need to increase by 1 billion tonnes by 2030 because world population is expected to reach 8.3-billion by that time, up from 6-billion today, according to a study by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Key findings of the study have been released, even though the complete study has not yet been published. The study summary addressed trade liberalization, multinational food companies, world hunger, ag biotechnology and ag productivity. According to the summary, "Cereals are still by far the world's most important sources of food, both for direct human consumption and meat production. An extra billion tonnes of cereals will be needed by 2030." Current worldwide production of cereals is about 1.9-billion tonnes annually. Intermountain Cow Symposium Emphasizes Profits & Markets By J. Benton Glaze, University of Idaho Cattle producers who want to beef up their knowledge of the critical issues facing today's beef industry should make plans to attend the University of Idaho's and Idaho Cattle Association's 2003 Intermountain Cow Symposium. Scheduled for Jan. 7-8 in Twin Falls, the symposium will focus on such key challenges as maintaining profitability and producing beef for specific markets. Topics and speakers include: • Working together to secure supplies, John Hays of McDonald's Corp. • Meeting the needs of today's consumer, Betty Hogan of National Cattlemen's Beef Assn. • Using estrus synchronization to improve reproductive efficiency, Amin Ahmadzadeh of the University of Idaho • Finding higher quality and value in new cuts of chuck and round, Leah Clark and Betty Hogan of the Idaho Beef Council and NCBA • Using carcass traits in selection programs, Jerry Lipsey and Marty Ropp of the American Simmental Assn. • Understanding the value of breeding soundness evaluations, Peter Chenoweth of Kansas State University • Examining the role of animal identification in a changing beef industry, Glenn Fischer of Allflex USA • Seeing both the challenges and the opportunities in animal care and welfare issues, Janice Swanson of Kansas State University, and • Strategically positioning cattle operations for the future, Randy Blach of Cattle-Fax The Intermountain Cow Symposium, which will be held at the College of Southern Idaho, will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 7 and conclude at noon Jan. 8. Participants who pre-register by Dec. 20 will pay $50 per person, $100 per family or $25 per student. After Dec. 20, registration fees will increase by $10. Costs include all meals and snacks, including a Jan. 7 dinner at the Turf Club. Extra meal tickets are available for $20. For more information, contact UI Extension beef specialist J. Benton Glaze at 208/736-3600 or: bglaze@uidaho.edu in Twin Falls.

Environmental 'Magna Charta' Law Scrutinized From Tami Beville, Administrative Assistant, Far West Agribusiness Association Signed into law 32 years ago, National Environmental Policy Act has been championed by activists who use it as a legal lever to disrupt the nation's agriculture and wood products industries and criticized by natural resource groups and many government officials for creating "analysis paralysis," preventing them from effectively managing hundreds of millions of acres of federal land. Under NEPA, federal agencies have to study all the environmental impacts that every proposed federal project might have, but critics say the law has been widely abused by extremists and their lawyers to disrupt responsible management of forests and other natural resources. This summer's record-setting catastrophic fire season has been blamed on abuses of litigation provisions under NEPA, according to the Bush Administration, as well as many state and federal forest officials. To resolve the problem, the Bush administration is calling for streamlining NEPA. He said it's time to set reasonable limits on litigation so agencies can manage the nation's national forests and other public lands responsibly. A story by the Christian Science Monitor more slanted toward the environmental community's perspective is available at: http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/1107/p02s02-usgn.html Add Vegetables & Fruits To Your Winter Meals University of Idaho HomeWise As the weather cools, warm up to the idea of incorporating more fruits and vegetables in your late fall and winter meals, suggests Martha Raidl, University of Idaho Extension nutrition specialist. While Americans should be eating five servings of produce daily, in reality children are consuming just 3.4 servings and adults are doing a little better at 4.4 servings. "From the University of Idaho Extension publication "Getting More Vegetables and Fruits in Your Diet," here's how to close the gap: • add grated carrots or zucchini to meatloaf, casseroles and sauces • use pureed vegetables to thicken soups • add leafy greens to soups, fresh spinach to salads and chopped broccoli to meatloaf • stuff baked potatoes, fresh tomatoes or cucumbers with low-fat ground beef, tuna, low-fat cheese, beans or other vegetables • put grated carrots, zucchini or cucumber into coleslaw, chicken or tuna salad • toss raw or steamed broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, peas, carrots, corn or peppers into potato salad, pasta or rice • add fruit to your breakfast cereal • for a quick lunch, layer apple slices in a low-fat cheese sandwich and toast in the oven • use fresh or canned fruit as a topping for puddings, yogurt, cottage cheese, hot or cold cereal and frozen desserts • put raisins, grapes, apple chunks and pineapple into coleslaw, chicken or tuna salad • for a quick dessert, microwave until tender a cored apple in a little apple juice For your own copy of this publication, click on http://info.ag.uidaho or request Order #476 from UI Agricultural Publications at 208/885-7982 or agpubs@uidaho.edu. Cost, including shipping, handling and Idaho sales tax, is $2.03. Contact: Martha Raidl at 208/364-4056 or mraidl@uidaho.edu in Boise. Wine Testing From Tami Beville, Administrative Assistant, FWAA For the past two years, lab scientist Jon Wong with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has been refining methods for detecting residues of pesticides (insecticides, herbicides and fungicides) in wine. Currently, there are no standards or maximum acceptable limits for pesticides in wine, although such limits exist for table grapes. The ATF will pass its data on pesticide residues in wine to the Environmental Protection Agency, which already determines what pesticide levels are "safe" for consumers in fresh fruits and vegetables and will be responsible for the same in wine. The most common insecticide Wong finds in wine samples is Carbaryl, known under the brand name of Sevin to home gardeners. Commonly found fungicides include Procymidone, Iprodione, Myclubutanil and Metalaxyl. More information is available at: http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily/News/0,1145,1882,00.html Farm Bill Spending Described By Jim Johnson, Montana State University Even though the farm bill of 2002 adds over $80 billion to baseline spending over the next decade, overall it provides support levels similar to that paid out in the last four years, a USDA economist told those gathered for the M.L. Wilson Lecture at Montana State University on November 19, 2002. Joseph Glauber, the USDA's deputy chief economist, said the perceived increases might lay the United States open to a challenge under World Trade Organization agreements. He termed that potential "small but significant." Commodity programs will receive $56.7 billion in new spending and conservation programs $14 billion under the 2002 farm legislation, formally known as the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, Glauber told the audience gathered at MSU's Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman as part of MSU Agricultural Appreciation Days. The new act may face U.S. as well as world challenges, said Glauber. "With budget deficits in the near future, larger than expected outlays may cause the farm bill to be revisited before 2006," he said. Glauber said the changes in the Farm Bill probably will only have a minimal effect on production decisions, but it increases reliance on the government compared to the 1996 farm bill. An important issue for commodity and farm organizations is that the budget for the dairy program has already been exceeded. This has raised concerns among the public and in Congress about the accuracy of budget estimates. Glauber said his assessment of the farm bill's budgeted costs are based on the best estimates available, but are "only as good as the week in which they are done." Glauber has served as Deputy Chief Economist at the USDA since 1992. He served as economic advisor for the Blair House agreements leading to the completion of the Uruguay Round negotiations. He is the author of numerous studies on crop insurance, disaster policy and U.S. farm policy. Prior to his current position, he was senior staff economist for agriculture, natural resources and trade for the President's Council of Economic Advisors from 1991 to 1992 and from 1984 to 1991 he also served as economist at the Economic Research Service, USDA. 9th Circuit Ruling Defines Aerial Spraying As Point Source From Tami Beville, Far West Agribusiness Association In ruling that an NPDES permit is required prior to spraying to control moths that defoliate forests, the Ninth Circuit sided with environmental extremists and against the US Forest Service. The court's Nov. 4 ruling could have far reaching effects on aerial applications of pesticides used to control pest and disease infestations not only on forests, but on private woodlands, farms, ranches and other sites where pollution or spray drift affecting a protected water body or species could occur. Plaintiffs include the League of Wilderness Defenders/Blue Mountain Biodiversity Project, Oregon; Kettle Range Conservation Group, Washington; Oregon Natural Resource Council; and about a half dozen other extremist groups. In the opinion, Judge D.W. Nelson, concluded that "the aerial spraying of pesticide being conducted by the Forest Service is point source pollution and requires an NPDES permit." The opinion went on to say the Forest Service failed to fully analyze the potential effects of pesticide drift in its environmental impact statement accompanying a long-term plan for spraying to control moths that have defoliated more than 628,000 acres of forests in Oregon, Washington and other states. Dam Breaching Bill Gains 87 Cosponsors In Congress From Tami Beville, Far West Agribusiness Association The Salmon Planning Act, which would give the Corps of Engineers, EPA and National Marine Fisheries Service administrators power to authorize breach Snake River dams appeared to be gaining momentum with 87 cosponsors signed up prior to the Nov. 5 national election. A recent editorial in the St. Petersburg Times of Florida supported dam breaching and called on Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Florida; and Rep. Jim Davis, D-Florida, to throw their political clout behind the dam removal scheme. The article also complained that more federal funds were being expended on salmon recovery than on preserving Florida's everglades. In a response to that editorial, Brig. Gen. David Fastabend, commander and Division Engineer, NW Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Portland, reminded the folks in Florida that if proponents of dam breaching win out in the Northwest, levees that control waters in the everglades could be the next target. Fastabend also pointed out that the Corps extensive study found that breaching four lower Snake River dams would cost $267 million annually in forfeited economic benefits. That compares to a preferred option chosen by the Corps of structural migration enhancements expected to accomplish the task of aiding migrating salmon at a far lower cost of $13 million annually. U.S.-EC Reach Agreement To Keep U.S. Grain Exports Flowing The United States and the European Commission (EC) have reached an agreement maintaining the current import system for almost all wheat and feed grains from the United States (known as the margin of preference), averting a situation that could have restricted more than $400 million worth of U.S. grain exports to the European Union (EU). "This is a very important agreement for our feed grain and wheat farmers," said Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman. "While we would have preferred no changes to the MOP, we are pleased that we were able to settle this difficult issue with only minimal changes and thus to maintain export opportunities for our producers." "Access to European markets is important to American farmers, and I'm pleased we've been able to resolve this issue and keep our grain exports flowing," said U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick. "This agreement is a good example of how the EU and the United States can find common ground by working cooperatively." The agreement will leave in place the MOP commitments for imports of durum wheat, high-quality common wheat, corn, rye, and sorghum. The EC agreed to limit its changes only to certain qualities of wheat that are exported in relatively small volumes by the United States. The EC believes these changes are necessary to correct problems in its current import system. The U.S. and the EC agreed to the following points: • The margin of preference will remain unchanged for durum and high quality common wheat, the two categories under which most U.S. wheat exports to the EU take place. This will continue to allow U.S. durum and high quality common wheat exports, which recently have risen to more than 1.2 million metric tons, to enter the EU market at zero or very low duties. • For medium and low quality common wheat, the EC provided a formal WTO commitment to allow global imports of up to 2,981,600 metric tons per year at the duty of 12 Euros per metric ton. Of this amount, the United States will receive a country allocation of 572,000 metric tons, which provides access that exceeds any amount the United States has exported to the EU over the past 10 years. (Medium and low quality wheat is characterized by a lower protein content than high-quality wheat. • The margin of preference system will also remain unchanged for all feed grains except barley. The EC provided a formal WTO commitment to allow imports of malting barley of up to 50,000 metric tons per year at the import duty of 8 Euros per metric ton. For varieties of barley other than malting barley, the EC will allow imports of up to 300,000 metric tons per year at a duty of 16 Euros per metric ton. This agreement will allow the United States to maintain barley exports to the EU at low, bound duties. • The new import arrangements for low and medium quality common wheat and barley will start on January 1, 2003. Under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, the EU had a legal right to withdraw the MOP, which likely would have restricted grain exports from the United States. At the same time the Doha global trade negotiations are moving ahead, we were concerned that the EC was attempting to withdraw hard won concessions that would have decreased market access from the Uruguay Round. In response to the EC proposal, the United States consulted with the governments of Australia, Argentina and Canada to ensure that our access to EU markets would not be impeded. The EC-U.S. agreement not only benefits U.S. grain producers but producers from Australia, Argentina, Canada and other countries who export wheat and feed grains to the EU. Christmas Cheapskate After being away on business for a week before Christmas, Tom thought it would be nice to bring his wife a little gift. "How about some perfume?" he asked the cosmetics clerk. She showed him a bottle costing $50. "That's a bit much," said Tom, so she returned with a smaller bottle for $30. "Thats still quite a bit," Tom groused. Growing disgusted, the clerk brought out a tiny $15 bottle. Tom grew agitated, "What I mean," he said, "is I'd like to see something real cheap." So the clerk handed him a mirror.

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