October 11, 2010
Headquartered in Charlotte, Piedmont Natural Gas is an energy-services company engaged primarily in the distribution of natural gas to more than 1
million residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural utility customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, including more than 60,000
customers of municipal gas systems that are supplied with natural gas from Piedmont. Piedmont’s gas delivery system consists of more than 22,000
miles of distribution pipelines and 2,600 miles of transmission pipelines in its three-state service territory, and three on-system gas storage facilities that
are used to help meet peak demand. Piedmont expanded operations into eastern North Carolina in 2003 with its acquisition of North Carolina Natural
Gas and Eastern North Carolina Natural Gas from Progress Energy. Piedmont now provides clean-burning, efficient natural gas to more than 700,000
North Carolina customers from the mountains to the coast. Piedmont is proud to be a major energy supplier to agribusiness in North Carolina.
Washington NEWS
Campaign NEWS
Immigration Bill Introduced: Even though it has little to no chance
of gaining momentum before the end of the year, Sens. Robert
Menendez (D.-N.J.) and Patrick Leahy (D.-Vt.) introduced the
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010 last week. “The
legislation Sen. Menendez and I have introduced is an important
starting point for this debate. It protects the rights and opportunities
of American workers, while ensuring that American farmers and
employers have the help they need. It promotes jobs to help spur our
economy, it supports families, it helps to bring undocumented
workers out of the shadows, and it enhances our border security,”
Leahy said in a statement.
EPA Administrator Meets With Farmer Committee: The newlyappointed members of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities
Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC) heard from EPA Administrator
Lisa P. Jackson at their first meeting since being appointed. The
FRRCC is an independent committee established by EPA in 2008.
The group is charged with advising the agency on environmental
issues important to agriculture. The members were appointed in May
and include Archilus L. Hart of the N.C. Department of Agriculture.
Jackson expressed her commitment to keep American farmers
engaged in the environmental review process.
GIPSA Rule Needs Further Analysis: The economic impact of the
marketing rules proposed by the Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration has prompted more than 100 U.S. House
members to write Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The letter asks
that USDA conducts further analysis of the economic impact of the
new rule since it would result in significant changes to livestock and
poultry marketing. Many meat industry groups, including National
Cattlemen’s Beef Association and National Pork Producers Council
were pleased with the lawmakers’ action.
Tea Party Activist Backs McIntyre: Rep. Mike McIntyre, who is
campaigning to keep his 7th District U.S. House seat, has received
the endorsement of a leading tea party activist. Deborah Johns is
the former vice chair of the Tea Party Express. Citing concerns over
Republican challenger Ilario Pantano’s military record, Johns said
McIntyre is the first Democrat she’s endorsed and praised his voting
record.
Shuler and Miller to Debate: Congressional candidates for N.C.’s
11th district will debate on Oct. 14 on WLOS ABC 13. Democrat
Heath Shuler is facing Republican Jeff Miller for the seat, and the
debate will run throughout the newscast that runs from 5 p.m. to 6:30
p.m. Citizens are encouraged to submit question through the
station’s Facebook page.
NRA Endorses Democrats & Republicans: U.S. Representatives
Larry Kissell, Heath Shuler, and Mike McIntyre, all Democrats, have
received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association. In
addition, the NRA has also endorsed all Republican incumbents
fighting for their U.S. congressional seats. The organization has not
thrown its support behind Democrat Rep. Bob Etheridge or his
Republican challenger Renee Ellmers in the race for the U.S. House
2nd District seat.
Legislative NEWS
Governor Announces $4.5 million for Broadband, Construction
Begins: Gov. Bev Perdue announced Wednesday that N.C. will
receive $4.5 million in federal recovery funds to support the
development of broadband access and economic development
across N.C. The funding goes to the e-NC Authority, a state initiative
to expand broadband access, especially in rural areas. The $4.5
million grant is matched by an additional $1 million, including
$400,000 from the Golden Leaf Foundation, for a total $5.5 million
investment. Gov. Bev Perdue joined other state and federal officials
at CommScope in Hickory last week for a groundbreaking ceremony
that highlighted the kick-off of MCNC’s initial phase of expanding
NCREN. This project will create jobs in these regions and bring
critical broadband infrastructure to 37 counties in the state.
Weather & Drought NEWS
Rains Damage N.C. Crops: Sweet potatoes, cotton, peanuts and
soybeans are at risk for lower yields and quality following last week’s
torrential rains in eastern North Carolina. Agriculture Commissioner
Steve Troxler toured a wide portion of the region by air and ground
last week. He saw ponds where fields should be, which meant a lot
of crops under water. “That much water will probably affect yields
and quality because, for the most part, these crops are just beginning
to be harvested,” Troxler said. Going into last week, only 11 percent
of the state’s cotton crop had been harvested, and 31 percent of the
sweet potato crop had been dug. Harvest of peanuts and soybeans
were just beginning. Troxler said it’s too early to put a dollar amount
on crop damage. He encouraged farmers to document their damage
and stay in contact with their county Cooperative Extension agent
and U.S. Farm Service Agency office. One positive sign Troxler saw
was hog lagoons staying within their boundaries. “I think that’s a
testament to the meticulous lagoon management practiced by
farmers,” he said.
Record Rains Provide Drought Relief: Due to recent rains, many
counties have received much needed relief from drought conditions.
According to the state Drought Management Advisory Council’s
latest advisory, the eastern part of the state received record rainfall,
leading to floods in at least 19 counties. Counties in central and
western portions of the state did not see as much rain, and there are
12 counties still in moderate drought and 30 counties considered
abnormally dry.
People NEWS
N.C.-Based Company President Named to NCC Board: The
National Chicken Council named new officers at its annual meeting
last week. Bill Lovette, president and COO of Troutman, N.C.-based
Case Foods, will serve as secretary-treasurer. Bernard Leonard,
vice president of Tyson Foods Inc.’s foodservice division, was named
chairman and Lampkin Butts of Sanderson Farms will serve as vice
chairman. They will serve a one-year term.
Business NEWS
Feed Mill and Railway to Expand in Moore County: Mountaire
Farms Inc. has plans to expand its feed mill operation and upgrade
the Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway with an additional 2,700
feet of track. These improvements will allow the company to unload
90 car trains in 15 hours. The plant, located in Candor, processes
more than 250 million chickens each year, and this will be the fourth
time the company has expanded its plant and rail yard.
New Funds for Community & Agricultural Projects: Grant funds
are now available for innovative projects designed to assist rural
communities, stimulate economic development and increase farm
income. The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
(NCTTFC) in Raleigh has announced its next grant cycle and is
accepting applications until December 3, 2010. Project winners will
be announced in April, 2011. Go to www.tobaccotrustfund.org for
more information.
Livestock Market Receives More Funding: The WNC Regional
Livestock Center will receive an additional $150,000 from the
Appalachian Regional Commission. The commission had already
committed $200,000 to the center, so the most recent funding brings
the total to $350,000.
Commodity NEWS
Drug Maker Wants FDA to Halt Test Marketing on Smokeless
Tobacco Products: R.J. Reynolds’ new smokeless tobacco
products are drawing fire from the consumer health-care division of
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Citing concern over the products’ safety,
GSK has asked FDA to remove RJR’s dissolvable products out of
test markets. Camel Orbs, Camel Sticks, and Camel Strips are
currently being reviewed by FDA’s Tobacco Products Scientific
Advisory Committee. Though Reynolds’ products are marketed to
adults, the FDA is concerned the marketing may attract children and
adolescents. GSK has said that adults wanting to quit smoking
shouldn’t use smokeless tobacco products as an alternative because
of possible adverse health consequences. GSK sells nicotinereplacement therapy products.
Broiler Egg and Chick Placements Increase: Eggs set by
commercial hatcheries in the 19-state weekly program were up 8
percent from last year for the week ending Oct. 2, totaling 197 million
eggs in incubators. According to USDA’s Broiler Hatchery report,
average hatchability was 84 percent and 169 million chicks were
placed for meat production, up 6 percent from the same time last
year. Cumulative placements were up 1 percent, totaling 6.64 billion,
from Jan. 3 through Oct. 2.
N.C. Plant OK’d by Russia: Mountaire Farms’ Lumber Bridge, N.C.
plant was recently re-listed as an eligible exporter by Russia. Russia
is set to begin inspections of U.S. facilities and has approved 83 of
87 U.S. poultry plants after reaching an agreement with Washington.
USDA NEWS
New Loan Limit: The loan limit for guaranteed loans has been
increased to $1,119,000, effective Oct. 1, 2010. The limit is adjusted
annually based on the "Prices Paid to Farmers Index" compiled by
the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The increased limit will
boost FSA’s ability to meet the credit needs of American farmers and
ranchers.
Possible Enforcement of Guaranteed OL Term Limits: The 15
year guaranteed operating loan (OL) term limit is suspended until
December 31, 2010. Legislation (S. 3221) has been introduced in
Congress to continue the term limit suspension. However, no action
has been taken to date and Congress is now adjourned until midNovember. If the suspension is allowed to expire, several thousand
guaranteed borrowers will no longer be eligible for a guaranteed OL.
In anticipation of this, the National Office is developing a notice to
address the issue and compiling a list of borrowers who may be
affected. In the meantime, if you have any customers in need of
additional credit that you believe will be affected by the term limits,
please work with them now to submit a guarantee request in order to
complete the process and close the guaranteed loan prior to
December 31, 2010.
Mark Your Calendar
N.C. MarketReady Fresh Produce Safety – Field to Family is an
N.C. Cooperative Extension program that educates fruit and
vegetable growers about measures to minimize food safety risks.
The program's training consists of nine modules broken into Tier 1
and Tier 2. The N.C. Fresh Produce Safety Task Force will conduct
the Tier 2 training workshops. October 12 – 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Mountain Research Station, 265 Test Farm Road, Waynesville. For
more information, contact Sue Colucci, 828-697-4891 or
susan_colucci@ncsu.edu. October 26 – 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Stanly
County AgriCivic Center, 26032-B Newt Road, Albemarle. For more
information, contact Aimee Marshall, 704-694-2415 or
aimee_marshall@ncsu.edu.