Beef Deal & Baucus Nominated

Beef Deal & Baucus Nominated plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

President Obama announced Friday he's nominating long-time ag ally Max Baucus as Ambassador to China. Baucus brings a wealth of ag trade and farm knowledge to the job. President Obama mentioned Baucus briefly during a press conference dominated by health care and domestic surveillance.

OBAMA: Max Baucus is going to be an outstanding Ambassador to China and I'd like a swift confirmation.

As a meeting of the annual U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade came to an end - China promised to ease restrictions on imports of U.S. beef. According to Chinese Deputy Commerce Minister Wang Chao - the two sides agreed to promote U.S. beef exports to China. No additional details were offered. Deputy Agriculture Minister Niu Dun said the two sides will work on technical issues - but didn't provide a timetable for when full-scale imports might be allowed. According to a fact sheet issued by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative - both sides will strive for full resumption of U.S. beef access by July 2014 on the basis of mutually agreed conditions.

Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray.

As the Grinch would say, "Christmas is coming, it's practically here!" At the stroke of midnight tonight it will officially be Christmas. Many of us had to cut way back on our Christmas shopping lists this year with a more practical approach to gift giving taking hold. Socks and gloves will be a familiar stocking stuffer this year at our house as well as lip balm and hand lotion. There's also been a noticed increase across the nation of people who are reaching out to those less fortunate than themselves by donating not only their financial support but their personal time as well at food banks and shelters. The compassionate attitude of "there but for the grace of God go I" hasn't been as prevalent in our country since the 1930's. Though the economy has been slowly recovering many people still find themselves facing tough economic times, but the holidays don't have to be about the biggest and most expensive gifts. Some of the most beautiful gifts are completely free. Even the Grinch figured out that, "perhaps Christmas doesn't come from a store, perhaps Christmas means a little bit more".

Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.