03/01/05 D.C. visits; Ag exports up?

Two different groups have been spending time in Washington D.C. this week for different reasons. Deans of the Agricultural based Colleges of the University of Idaho, Oregon State University, and Washington State University are among those who have met since Saturday to discuss the Bush Administration's proposed fiscal year 2006 budget, and proposed reductions in formula funds that help support the costs of faculty and programs for ag research at land grant schools. Today and tomorrow, the Deans spend time on Capitol Hill lobbying Congress to prevent the cuts from happening. Meanwhile, leaders of various fresh potato grower cooperatives have gathered amid the National Potato Council's Board of Directors meeting to discuss forming a national growers' cooperative. If the prediction holds true, then the U.S. will have its third highest year ever in agriculture exports. U.S.D.A. recently adjusted its fiscal year 2005 ag export forecasts, increasing the projection from $56 to $59 billion dollars. And credit much of the increase in some of the Northwest's most valuable commodities & fruits and vegetables, flowers and nursery plants. In fact, U.S.D.A. predicts horticultural sales should reach a record $14.5 billion dollars this year. However, the flip side of that coin is that sales are also being generated by a weaker dollar overseas. Now with today's "Food Forethought", here's Susan Allen. ALLEN: Americans would like to say we're independent sort, we come up with our own ideas, opinions and tastes, but it's fascinating to study the subliminal impact that corporations like McDonalds have on our culinary selections. McDonalds is the largest buyer of potatoes and beef in the US and now its foray in to fresh fruit and salad are forecasted to change the face of America produce, from what is grown, how it's grown to how it's processed. So what does that really mean&. for the beef industry it meant that McDonalds changed the way cattle were fed and processed into what today is a highly mechanized, efficient and standardized industry. In a micro-evolution of sorts the buying power of McDonalds can change even the physical characteristics of plants and animals. We have seen it in potatoes, and beef and now fruit. McDonalds is projected to be a major player in the 80 million dollar produce industry and has told apple growers they will buy only Cameo and Pink lady, Cameo production in Washington State is up 58 percent in this crop year from last. Who knows with McDonalds clout behind it, apple dippers might eventually beat French fries as an American culinary icon. I'm Susan Allen