Ag in the News

12/19/2007

National and International

Canada reports another case of BSE
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Tuesday confirmed the diagnosis of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a 13-year-old beef cow from Alberta, noting that the agency has the animal's carcass under its control and no part of it entered the human food or animal feed systems. MORE!

National Turkey Federation appoints new director of member services
The National Turkey Federation hired Jennifer Zukowski as its new director of member services, NTF President Joel Brandenberger announced Tuesday. MORE!

Wendy's debuts 99-cent double cheeseburger
Dublin, Ohio-based Wendy's announced the national launch of its 99-cent double cheeseburger dubbed the Stack Attack. MORE!

Lean Pockets brand introduces whole grain sandwiches
Nestle USA announced that its line of Lean Pockets sandwiches is now available in a whole grain variety. MORE!

Wrap Up

Wheat again shoots higher. Chicago wheat futures led overnight gains, rising 15-plus cents in old-crop contracts, while new- crop futures were mostly 3 to 6 cents higher. Soybean futures were 6 to 9 cents higher, while corn was around 2 cents higher in overnight trade.

Bush to sign energy bill. President Bush today will sign the energy bill approved this week by Congress. He'll sign the package at the Energy Department. It includes a substantial increase in the renewable fuels standard for ethanol and biodiesel, requiring 36 billion gallons of use by 2022.

Japan may hike wheat prices. Japan will make a decision in February on raising the price of grain sold to domestic grain millers from April forward. Reports say the increase could be up to 30% and would be on top of a 10% rise that took place in October.

Tracking cloned animals. The tracking system is being announced by ViaGen and Trans Ova Genetics -- two of the major players in the cloning area -- and was developed in consultation with the food industry. In a reflection of reality, the companies say it is not a safety or a health issue, but a marketing issue relative to the planned tracking system.