News Update

News Update
Jan. 25, 2007

USDA Plans $1.6 Billion Investment in Renewable Fuels

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns yesterday announced plans to propose $1.6 billion in new funding for renewable energy, with a focus on cellulosic energy research and production, as part of the Administration’s 2007 farm bill proposals. The funding will support President Bush’s goal — announced during the State of the Union address Tuesday night — of reducing gasoline usage by 20% in the next 10 years and will complement an array of renewable energy-related efforts under way at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

President Bush’s plans for energy independence include $2 billion in cellulosic production loan guarantees as well as a new Alternative Fuels Standard, which contains a requirement for sources produced by American farmers and ranchers as well as an automatic “safety valve” to protect against unforeseen increases in the prices of alternative fuels or their feedstocks.

According to USDA, Johanns plans to provide additional information about the proposal to provide $1.6 billion in new funding for renewable energy within the next few weeks when he unveils the Administration’s full package of 2007 farm bill proposals.

Visit www.usda.gov for a list of USDA’s renewable fuel projects under way and accomplishments to date.

Property Rights Case Heads for Supreme Court

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the Public Lands Council (PLC), the Wyoming Public Lands Coalition, the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association have filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Wilkie v. Robbins.

According to NCBA, the central issue surrounding the case is the right of private property owners to deny federal access to their property and the legal options available to them.

A dispute between Harvey Robbins and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) began more than 10 years ago when Robbins purchased the High Island Ranch near Thermopolis, Wyo. At issue is whether Robbins had a right to deny the BLM access to his property. According to NCBA, in court cases during the past decade, Robbins won two preliminary victories in the U.S. district and circuit courts.

NCBA and PLC plan to submit briefs Feb. 21, and oral arguments are scheduled for March.

“Protecting private property rights is one of the founding principles of NCBA dating back to 1898,” an NCBA spokesman said. “Our involvement in this case is based on our respect for property rights principles and the need for checks on conduct by government officials. We’re proud to be part of this effort.”

Court Bans Horse Processing in Texas

A federal court has ruled horse processing illegal in Texas, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) reports.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans issued a ruling Jan. 19 that overturned a lower court’s decision discounting a Texas law that banned the harvest of horses for human consumption. According to TSCRA, two of the three U.S. horse-processing plants are in Texas.

The ruling, one TSCRA representative argues, leaves livestock owners without an inexpensive, humane alternative to disposal of old and unwanted horses.

Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm said the two Texas plants are considering whether to challenge the Appeals Court decision.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.