03/21/07 Snow and South Korea Talks

Snow for Spring & South Korea Talks plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. It appears old man winter is not giving up without a fight. The first day of spring brought snow to the Cascades. Mount Baker had already received 10 inches of new snow by yesterday morning and a new cold front is expected to push through later this afternoon bringing more moisture into the northwest. The additional precipitation will bolster an already sufficient water supply for irrigation systems throughout the region. The U.S. has started talks with South Korea on banned bone fragments in shipments of American beef - as well as other ag issues. Officials say it's all part of an effort to reach a trade agreement by the end of the month. American Farm Bureau Director of Congressional Relations Chris explains why negotiations need to be finalized quickly. GARZA: It's a very critical time in that if these negotiations are not finished within these next two weeks, we will be walking away with nothing. While the beef issue isn't technically part of the trade negotiations between the U.S. and South Korea - it has been a sticking point - especially for U.S. lawmakers who say they won't approve a deal if beef trade isn't restored. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. If you ever met me or it becomes immediately evident I am all about animals. How many people do you know take a bunny to work? Yep that's me. And while I support humane treatment and have written about efforts to improve feedlot design, remove gestation crates on hog farms and increase cage sizes for poultry I realize there is a limit. Some people don't and can take the rights of animals to an extreme platform. There are those who anguish over the lot of lobster in a tank , while others relish freeing fishing worms from the refrigerated container. A recent advertising parody from the editors of Salvo made me chuckle simply because I know someone out there listening will take it seriously, Serious! Here is their commercial on animal right extremists. "Stop the insecticide, one million ants are slaughtered each month by careless missteps, cruel young children with magnifying glasses, and newspapers wielded in ignorance and fear. Feeling Bugged? Learn what you can do to help stop insecticide, or sponsor an orphaned pupae, call 1-800-PETI, that's people for the ethical treatment of insects. Want to bet the phone lines light up! Thanks Susan. One final note today is National Ag Day a part of National Ag Week. If you know a farmer, say thanks. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.