11/18/08 Appointment Buzz & Reduced Exports

Appointment Buzz & Reduced Exports plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. It seems that the list of Obama appointees is getting almost as much buzz as what Paris Hilton wore to a weekend party or what Angelina and Brad will name their next 5 kids. No one really know for sure who is on the short list and it is always subject to change but potential names for Ag Secretary include former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack; National Farmers Union President Tom Buis, and three former members of Congress: Representatives Charles Stenholm of Texas, Jim Leach of Iowa, and Calvin Dooley of California. No, Hillary's name wasn't on that list either. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Gerry Bange says a stronger U.S. dollar and softer international demand could reduce our nation's beef and pork exports in both 2008 and 2009. BANGE: In the case of both beef and pork, our beef export forecast we took down 140 million pounds down to 1.92 billion pounds and that primarily because of the strong dollar. In the case of beef we would expect to see less exports to Mexico, somewhat less to Korea. Export to Korea has not been moving as quickly as we'd like to see and again we've taken our pork export down 600 million pounds primarily because of reduced exports to Mexico and China; and the impact of the strong dollar. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray. I was fortunate this past week to attend the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Convention in Kansas City. The week included an abundance of keynote speakers, educational seminars and an opportunity to network and socialize with some of the country's finest in the agricultural industry. Tim Dougherty, who represented the Agricultural Hall of Fame, was one of the guest speakers and spoke to the audience regarding the fact that we not only need to remember our agricultural heritage but embrace agriculture's future by helping to educate the large percentage of our nation's population who are not familiar with agriculture's influence on all aspects of American life. Agriculture's future offers an exciting array of potential, from biofuels and biotechnologies to wind farms. American Farmers and agriculture's industry leaders will continue to work together to supply American consumers with the highest degree of product available. The United States' history in agriculture is an accomplished and shining example; its future promises to shine even brighter. Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.