Vilsack says he was interviewed for the Bloomberg article, but he tells Brownfield at no time did he call for five billion dollar cuts to farm programs.

“If you look at the transcript that we provided, there’s no mention of that at all—none at all,” says Vilsack. ‘It’s an unfortunate circumstance where I think a reporter had basically an idea and a story that he wanted to write, and what I told him wasn’t necessarily consistent with that—but he just decided to write it anyway—which is unfortunate because it gets a lot of misinformation out there.”

The accuracy of the article aside, Vilsack’s USDA has been criticized by some for putting too much emphasis on rural development programs, and organic and so-called “local food” initiatives, and not enough on traditional farming.  Vilsack defends his efforts to spur economic development in rural America, but says he continues to be a fierce advocate for strong farm safety net programs as well.

“We understand that there are certain risks inherent in agriculture that are probably different than virtually any other business, industry or occupation in the country,” he says, “and that we need a strong safety net in order to protect not just our farmers and ranchers, but also the consumers who, in this country, benefit from a relatively affordable food supply which is safe and abundant.”

At the same time, Vilsack says deficit reduction is a big challenge. He proudly points out that USDA has already saved four billion dollars that was put towards deficit reduction by renegotiating the agency’s agreement with crop insurance companies.

 AUDIO: Tom Vilsack (4 min MP3)

Link to Bloomberg Businessweek article

Link to Vilsack’s statement on the Bloomberg article

The group in question is Food & Water Watch, which regularly attacks agriculture on the issues of animal rights and the environment.  R-CALF has partnered with Food & Water Watch in support of the proposed GIPSA livestock marketing rules.  NCBA issued a news release criticizing R-CALF for that affiliation.

R-CALF president Bill Bullard calls NCBA’s criticism “absurd”.  He says the partnership with Food & Water Watch and other consumer groups not only helps R-CALF attain its goals. He says it also gives cattlemen the opportunity to educate those groups on the safety and wholesomeness of beef and to explain the industry’s production practices.

In its parting shot, R-CALF calls NCBA’s criticism “a desperate attempt to deflect attention away from the fact that the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association stands accused of cheating and misusing government-mandated Beef Checkoff Program dollars.”

According to Iowa’s state climatologist Harry Hillaker, this year’s statewide average rainfall in June, July and August was 23-point-23 inches. That’s the second-highest on record, behind the 26-point-83 inches recorded in 1993.  But June of 2010 will go down as the wettest June on record, with a statewide average of nearly 10 and one-half inches. 

Hillaker points out that, while the statewide average fell short of 1993, some individual locations may have had record rainfall.  For example, Urbandale had more than 16 inches of rain in August alone.

The seminar itself, focusing on how conservation easements can be used for farmland protection and estate planning, will be held, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Indiana Farm Bureau building in Indianapolis, Friday, September 10.

Ethanol production reached an all-time high in June of this year at just over 854-thousand barrels per day, according to data released by the Energy Information Administration.  That’s up eight-thousand barrels per day from May and more than 160-thousand higher than June 2009.  Based on data from the first six months of 2010, U.S. ethanol production is running at 12-point-87 billion gallons on an annualized basis.

Meanwhile, the Renewable Fuels Association says ethanol demand has also reached an all-time high of 857-thousand barrels per day, up from 721-thousand one year ago.

North and South Dakota lead the way with unemployment rates of 3.6 and 4.4 percent, respectively. Nebraska is third at 4.7, followed by New Hampshire and Vermont.  At number seven is Kansas with an unemployment rate of 6.5.  Wyoming is eighth, and Iowa is number ten at 6.8. 

For each state, Business Insider mentions the importance of agriculture to the lower than average unemployment rate.

Meanwhile, USDA’s Economic Research Service reports that the average family farm household income is expected to be up nearly six percent in 2010, to more than 81-thousand dollars.  Both farm and off-farm income are forecast to be higher.

Monsanto also announced that its fiscal year earnings will be at the low end of previous forecast.

The fair was cancelled after Michigan governor Jennifer Grandholm decided her debt-ridden state could no longer afford to subsidize it.  Fewer than 220-thousand people attended the Michigan State Fair in 2009.  At its peak in 1966, the fair drew one million.

The Michigan State Fair has been held at the same location in Detroit since 1905.

Also elected were Bill Christ of Metamora, Vice Chairman, Kent Kleinschmidt of Emden was elected Treasurer, Secretary is Larry Hasheider of Okawville.

Two new directors were elected to the board: Tom Mueller of Taylor Ridge (District 3) and James R. Raben of Ridgway (District 15). 

Three incumbents elected to a new term on the board were: Scott Stirling, representing corn producers in District 6; Gary Schmalshof, District 9; and John Shore, District 12.