2001 In Review

Year's highs, lows reflected in Country World's headlines

Dec. 27, 2001 -- Another day, another year, makes another dollar? The following summarizes highs and lows of the farm industry and other important and interesting agricultural headlines documented in Country World throughout the year 2001.

JANUARY

Sen. Bill Ratliff, Mount Pleasant, is chosen to take over the post of lieutenant governor, after reigning Gov. Bush moves to become the new U.S. president.

President-elect Bush elects a new agriculture secretary, Ann Veneman, who emphasizes foreign trade for the nation. He also selects Robert Zoellick as new U.S. trade representative. Bush stated farm production is a matter of national security. He said, "There are a lot of issues farmers now face. I'm worried about the family farmer and people who make a living off the land."

Virginia-based WLR Foods stockholders approved a merger between WLR and Texas-based Pilgrims Pride.

Farmers facing hard times are left without the option of filing Chap. 12 bankruptcy. Chapter 12 expired in Nov. 2000, a letter was then written to Congress from farm and ranch groups urging reauthorization. The Senate was unable to agree to the extension before adjourning.

A carcass quality research project - Texas Beef Initiative program - is undertaken by Texas A&M and Texas Tech scientists and will be combined with previous research to identify beef production systems cattlemen can use to generate desirable, uniform beef products.

Dairy Farmers see a $13.99 Class I price, but is expected to be short-lived due to a decline in butter prices. U.S. milk production also shows signs of slowing down.

Of the 254 counties in Texas, 243 were designated as eligible for loans to cover part of actual production losses resulting from the 2000 drought and excessive heat. Emergency farm loan applications are accepted at Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices.

Tyson purchases huge beef and pork packer IBP Inc. for $3.2 billion. The purchase is expected to make Tyson the nation's leading poultry, beef, and pork producer.

Processors are required to disclose the water content of raw meat and poultry products and justify why it's there, under rules the USDA issued on the 5th. The government wants supermarket shoppers to know how much water they're getting in meat and poultry products.

Area livestock auctions saw prices ranging from $70 to $126/head for 400-500 lb. steers. Holstein springers were up as much as $1,725.

Edwin Arnold Spacek of Quitman, former Wood Co. Extension agent and the father of actress Sissy Spacek, dies at the age of 90.

Farmers plant smallest wheat crop in three decades. Dry conditions hampered plantings on the southern Plains, but wheat began to fall out of favor with farmers after Congress overhauled federal farm programs in '96 and gave growers more flexibility to switch between crops.

Fields with stunned and dead wheat due to Hessian Fly damage were reported in Hunt County and south of Waco.

Farmers vote to kill pork promotion. "The other white meat," campaign becomes a dispute between large- and smaller- scale livestock producers.

State forest service officials say the N.E. Texas ice storm of Dec. '00 could cost the timber industry up to $276 million.

Palestine resident, Larry Mack, is arrested after authorities discover the carcasses and bones of more than 300 cattle on his property.

Jan. 1 Texas cattle on feed up one percent from 2000.

FEBRUARY

The first national chairman of the American Agriculture Movement, Marvin D. Meek, dies at the age of 52.

One thousand head of Texas cattle are quarantined while U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigate a possible violation of a Purina Mills plant that may have fed meat and bone meal made from other U.S. cattle, which could lead to mad cow disease.

Aventis CropScience agrees to pay millions in compensation to farmers and grain elevators because the company's genetically modified corn ended up in the food supply and prompted the recall of taco shells and other products.

Producers in most Northeast Texas counties sign up at local FSA offices for Crop Disaster and Livestock Assistance programs.

Prices for cow/calf pairs range from $400 to $1,000 at area livestock auction barns, while dairy heifer calves bring as much as $400.

USDA's latest Outlook report lowered its projected 2001 Class III milk price avg., to $10.35 per hundredweight.

An investigation took place after a Jan. 8 complaint informed Oklahoma ag officials that Ritchey Dairy had been depositing dead cattle in a large open pit that was dug within 100 ft. of a channel of water, which flows to the Red River. Feb. 20 hearing to determine violations.

FSA offers funding to several E. Texas counties for expenses incurred during 2000 ice storm.

A state report says Texas water demands are expected to rise about 18 percent over the next 50 years, with a need for seven new major reservoirs.

High fuel costs and cold weather make heating fuel cost a challenge for chicken growers.

The Texas Agricultural Extension Service (TAES) says a week of warm weather and sunshine is needed to turn things around for Texas wheat, which is well behind in growth due to cold weather and too much moisture.

Extended cold and wet conditions result in just 20-50 percent of the normal wheat crop being planted as well as delaying other late winter, early spring plantings because of wet fields.

Groundbreaking celebrations take place for the new National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth.

At a capital news conference in Austin, it is announced that nearly 1.2 million Texas children ages 5-19 took part in one or more 4-H programs in 2000, literally making each child in Texas 4-H, "one in a million."

A Farm Aid budget released by Pres. Bush omits any special funding for farmers beyond that provided through existing support programs. Veneman, ag secretary, says Bush adm. doesn't yet know how much help farmers will need.

MARCH

Class III milk price for the month was at $11.42 per hundredweight.

High fuel prices force ammonia manufactures to slow production.

Prices for 400-500 beef heifers ranged from $61 to $130. Breeding age dairy heifers ranged form $750-$1,250.

The Texas Association of Dairymen (TAD) filed suit against the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), which had made a previous decision to stop the growth of dairy farms in the North Bosque River watershed in order to protect the accuracy of a computer model used to simulate future phosphorous loadings in the watershed.

Texas farmers warned of Foot-and-Mouth disease.

Legislation that establishes a water policy council, seeks to help residents reach the best water resources and proposes millions of dollars in fees and taxes a year to fund water projects.

Senate adopts Texas ag policy. The bill addresses 16 specific areas of the ag industry, including water availability.

USDA lowers its market year milk production estimate by 1.3 billion pounds in its monthly report, due to lower output per cow.

Experts caution: Nitrogen is high but don't abandon fertilizing.

The government begins mailing drought relief checks to the 160,000 farmers who lost crops due to the 2000 drought.

Texas Ag Commissioner Susan Combs kicks off National Ag Week (March 18-24).

Five-year U.S. - Canadian softwood lumber agreement ends at end of month - becoming a $22 billion issue. East Texas timber industry hopes for renewal of the agreement.

Farm-state Democrats say the 10 yr. budget blueprint headed for the House floor shortchanges agriculture by failing to specify funds for expanding farm programs and providing emergency assistance. A spending plan sets aside a $517 billion contingency fund and specifies agriculture as one of the uses of the money.

Legendary radio host Bill Mack (Midnight Cowboy) signs off the air for the last time after 32 years.

Texas milk producer count falls below 1,000 producers.

The March 2001 trade surplus of $1.4 billion exceeds the surpluses in each of the past three years.

APRIL

Effective on the 1st, and in response to consumer's concerns over "mad cow" disease, many beef packers, processors, and retail operations will no longer buy beef that came from "uncertified" cattle.

The April Class I price is $13.44 per hundredweight.

April 27 is final date to sign up for the Livestock Assistance Program.

Tyson calls off purchase of IBP. $3.2 billion deal halted when IBP uncovered financial mismanagement.

Tomato workers in Florida boycott Taco Bell, largest purchaser of Florida tomatoes. The farm workers say Taco Bell has the power to pressure the state's growers to improve the pay and conditions for their workers.

Holstein springers bring as much as $1,640 throughout the area. Steers weighing 400-500 lbs. average around $85-$125.

House votes to repeal "death" tax.

Insecticide Furadan ok'd on cotton.

USDA names John T. Fuston as Texas State Exec. Director for the FSA state office.

Due to foot-and-mouth outbreaks across the globe, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) cancels the 2001 World Pork Expo.

Stripe rust threatens North Texas wheat.

Founder of the National Corn Growers Association, Walter W. Goeppinger, dies at the age of 89.

Brain tissue from 16 German-imported cattle reviewed at Texas A&M University, showed no evidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

Ag Secretary Veneman speaks to a group of ag journalist where she states that consumers, retailers and food processors also deserve a voice in modifying ag policy.

Agribusiness giant, Cargill acquires a significant stake in St.Louis-based Purina Mills inc.

MAY

USDA's latest Outlook Report projected 2001 milk production at 166.7 billion pounds. May class III prices were $13.83 per cwt.

While area farmers check their fields for armyworms, much attributed to wet weather, Extension agents advise also checking early for signs of grasshoppers.

Jackson Tant "Jack" Bridges, the designer who took a giant Santa Claus and transformed it into Big Tex, the 52 ft. icon of the State Fair of Texas, dies at the age of 91.

The $79 billion provided to farmers in the congressional budget agreement is less than farm groups wanted but is said to be enough to take care of their needs for the next decade.

TAES reports that low humidity and good drying conditions have made it possible for Texas producers to begin baling hay.

U.S. wheat farmers, who want to shield themselves from last year's drought, buy record wheat insurance.

Fresh dairy cattle bring $2,000 and beef calves total up to $265.

Man pleads guilty to shooting five federally protected horses as they roamed a national park. Suspect claims he only wanted to scare them away.

The banks of the Sulphur River, below the Cooper Lake Dam, are covered with dead and dying fish. A result from the from the reduction in the amount of water the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had been releasing through the dam.

In Hong Kong, 1.2 million birds (chicken, quail, and pigeons) are slaughtered in order to eradicate the area's Avian flu outbreak.

This year's Willie Nelson's July Fourth Picnic in Luckenbach is canceled.

Nearly 300 compete at Josey Junior World Championship Barrel Race.

As of May 31, 131 Texas counties are quarantined for Africanized Honey Bees.

High farm fuel prices affect area producers.

Wheat and corn growers dispute over wheat gluten. National Corn Growers Assoc. says it is not fair for the wheat industry to expect the cost to be borne by the corn industry.

Belton Kleberg, King Ranch heir, dies at the age of 71.

USDA corrects six weeks worth of livestock pricing reports and begins evaluating the financial impact of the errors on cattle producers and meat packers.

John Deere & Co. agrees to buy irrigation products distributor, Richton International Corp. for about $125 million.

JUNE

Before the 77th Texas Legislature convened for the summer, it was passed that a new pickup bed/trailer rule would be enforced for those under the age of 18. It was also passed that an Office of Rural Community Affairs would be created which would focus on rural issues.

Texas blueberry crop tops recent years' harvests.

Holstein Springers bring $1,925 at area livestock auctions; and 300-400 lb. Steers range from $88-$140.

Billie goats range from $60-$80.

June is Dairy Month. USDA raises its milk price projections. The June class III milk price is $15.02, the highest June price ever.

Hail in parts of Panhandle pelts wheat and cotton crops.

Current crop reports state that the soil moisture in E. Texas is short. Pastures decline from lack of rain and hay is limited.

Pecans progress well but are in need of moisture.

Country World newspaper announces its new website - www.countryworldnews.com.

FDA announces meat or milk from cloned livestock will be kept from the food chain and from being sold to consumers, until they are sure it is safe and the technology won't hurt the environment or the animals.

President Bush announces that his 10-year tax cut will eventually eliminate the estate tax.

The wheat fungus Karnal bunt is detected in about 40 percent of San Saba county's wheat crop.

The White House won the first round of a battle over farm spending as a House committee voted narrowly to trim a package of supplemental aid to $5.5 billion.

Two cases of Anthrax are reported in deer from Uvalde and Val Verde counties in S.W. Texas. Some of the areas ranches are quarantined.

JULY

Texas sees good watermelon crop.

Sign up for debris removal federal assistance is offered to Bowie, Cass, Franklin, Lamar, Morris, Titus, and Red River county residents who were affected by the Dec. 2000 ice storm.

Steers weighing 400-500 pounds bring $87 to $132 at area auctions. Dairy calves bring as much as $540. Lambs in the 90- to 150-lb. range bring $83/head.

Wheat harvests across the state are nearing completion and reported yields are better than originally expected.

More than 100 countries agree to measures to protect the world's agricultural crop diversity, but differences on patenting food and seeds by multinational companies remain unresolved.

After investigating, the USDA says cattle producers lost $15 million to $25 million because of errors in a new system for reporting livestock prices, which was started this past spring.

July 15 is the deadline to sign up for the non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.

Ag Secretary Veneman says an overhaul of federal farm programs proposed in the House is an important beginning toward improving farm policies.

Northeast Texas faces timberland wildfire worries. State officials said this could be a problem as hot weather dries up piles of limbs and logs left on the ground from the previous winter ice storm.

Ag experts say wheat fungus won't affect consumers.

Ideal seasonal weather conditions benefit Texas peach crop.

Thirty-year-old Mark Ganske of Jacksonville kidnaps a cattle truck driver at gunpoint at a sale in Bossier City, La. He is arrested for theft of $21,867 worth of cattle, plus kidnapping and robbery.

Genetically engineered crops soar in popularity and beyond despite international resistance to food biotechnology.

The Texas A&M Extension Service changes its name to the Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE).      

AUGUST

Lubbock County is added to ongoing list of 134 other Texas counties under a quarantine restricting movement of commercial bees as "killer bees" were found in the county.

Harris County added to quarantined "Killer bee" list.

According to Ag Secretary Veneman, U.S. ag trade surplus continues to climb.

Analyst say, "It's hot, it's dry - and it's normal for a Texas summer.

Dry conditions hurt Texas sorghum yields.

At area livestock auctions steers under 300 lbs. bring up to $155. Holstein Springers bring up to $1,925.

Senate approves $5.5 billion House-passed farm aid measure.

On Aug. 3, Texas High Plains cash grain markets closed 5 cents lower for grain sorghum, slightly lower for soybeans and 3 to 4 cents lower for corn and wheat.

A Mexican federal judge suspends water repayment to the U.S. of almost 300,000 acre-feet of a water debt owed to the U.S. under the terms of a 1944 water treaty.

As summer progresses, drying conditions bring more wildfires.

The CME's Daily Dairy Report said the All-Milk price rose slightly in August to $16.30, but the cost of feed continues to rise. The general trend for milk production this month was down 12.13 percent from August 2000.

USDA's livestock, poultry, and dairy outlook shows milk production growth has been hampered by a slow recovery in milk per cow and the lack of heifers.

USDA reports hay prices are stronger in 2000/01 following declines in 1999/00.

Claims, by growers that were victims of racketeering by the DuPont Co. when they settled crop damage claims, were discarded by a federal judge.

An appeals court affirms dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to order Pres. Bush to maintain favorable market conditions for small farmers.

Extension forage specialist says hay yields vary across the state, but are mostly below average, due to limited rainfall and grasshopper infestation.

SEPTEMBER

Terrorists attack the U.S. Pentagon in Washington, the World Trade towers in New York City, and crashes a plane in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11. Thousands dead. President Bush calls it an act of war; U.S. to fight back. Economists speculate a negative affect for U.S. agriculture and support programs.

A new state law goes into affect requiring poultry house owners to implement and maintain a certified water quality management plan.

IBP inc. recalls 500,000 pounds of ground beef that might have been contaminated with E. Coli bacteria, from 35 states, including Texas.

Stocker cows in the region sale from $350 to $800. Good Holstein cows bring up to $2,025.

Five, brownish-red piglets are the stars of the show at Texas A&M University as researchers detailed their successful cloning projects.

GOP leaders decide the House will start overhauling federal farm and food programs despite concerns that shrinking budget surplus means little money for the legislation.

Dairy markets head south the last week of September.

The crop report for E. Texas shows good conditions for cattle and markets are steady. Forages have improved due to adequate rainfall.

Louisiana's Cookin' Cajun, Justin Wilson, dies at the age of 87.

Fire Ant Awareness Week takes place.

Dr. Jim Butler of College Station is named deputy undersecretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs by Ag Secretary Veneman.

Debates build over a proposal to sell water in Southeast Oklahoma to Texas.

In a break from traditional Republican farm policy, the Bush adm. Criticizes subsidies for big grain and cotton farms and proposed putting money into conservation programs that benefit more growers.

September egg production is up 5 percent from one year ago.

OCTOBER

Kicking off the State Fair of Texas, a red, white and blue ribbon and U.S. flag adorn Big Tex - a step made in recognition of the Sept. 11 tragedy.

Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, there is a request for heightened awareness about unusual activities. Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) advises cattlemen and veterinarians to keep a watch out for reports and signs of livestock diseases. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns crop dusters to be on alert for suspicious activity.

Northeast Dairy Compact Milk ends; supporters promise to bring it back.

Milk prices are poised for big declines, cash dairy markets see continued losses the week of Oct. 15. The class III milk price is lowered 60 cents, to $11.65.

Holstein springers bring $2,075 at area livestock barns and 400- to 500-pound steers range from $75 to $117.

USDA announces the Commodity Credit Cooperation will begin issuing payments more than $1.5 billion to eligible producers under the Conservation Reserve Program.

The nation's beef industry is affected by September's terrorists acts, causing cash and futures prices to plummet with the uncertainty in the stock market.

The House approves a major expansion of federal farm supports, a $170 billion farm bill.

Rains slow grasshopper infestation in East Texas.

A farm program overhaul proposal that would phase out crop subsidies, double spending on conservation and pay farmers to act to reduce their financial risk, receives the president's endorsement.

Year-to-date exports of $44.6 billion are up $2 billion from last year as foreign demand for U.S. hides, feeds, and horticulture products continues to be strong.

Year-to-date imports, on the other hand, contracted by $8 million from last year.

Richard L. Spader, American Angus Assn.'s executive vice president for 20 years, dies of a massive heart attack.

Unanimous opposition to a proposed reservoir in Northeast Texas was voiced at a Texas Water Development Board public comment meeting in Mount Pleasant. The event was one of a series of hearings intended to inform the public about the State Water Plan in its draft form, slated for final adoption Dec. 12.

NOVEMBER

Country World celebrates 20 years. First edition was introduced Nov. 5, 1981.

Policy analyst and scientist state U.S. agriculture is vulnerable to terrorist attacks. They said the U.S. is unprepared for terrorism aimed at food and livestock.

One of the newest preconditioned calf sales to the area, held at the Cattleman's Livestock Commission in Paris, occurs.

The Agriculture Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) announces the launch of an aggressive radio blitz in support of bipartisan TPA legislation.

Harvesters head out in droves to Texas coastlines, as Nov. marks the official beginning of oyster season, an industry that greatly impacts the state's economy.

Holstein dairy calves bring $570. Cow/calf pairs bring as much as $980.

Bat and skunk rabies are reported in East Texas. One case in Anderson County, another in Henderson County.

A&M economist says wheat disease, Karnal bunt, has severely affected the Rolling Plains economy. Losses exceed $27 million.

Turkey crop expected to be satisfactory.

Texas crop production, in November, is mostly unchanged from the previous month.

Veterinarians are urged to watch for Anthrax in animals.

Despite a loss in production acreage, E. Texas' sweet potato crop exceeds expectations.

Day-old chicks are allowed back on planes, after a number of airlines decided they would no longer accept them as mail and in some cases, would not ship chicks at all.

Dairy producers devastated at a $3.29 drop of the class III milk price, total price being $11.31.

December

Texas Christmas tree producers ring up big sales with healthy, big trees.

The Texas Farm Bureau, which has tried to help farmers and ranchers reduce dairy waste in the N. Bosque watershed, receives a $50,000 grant for new technology to use on the problem.

Holstein springers bring $1,925 while steers under 300 pounds range from $87 to $137.

Democrat Tom Ramsey of Mount Vernon retires from the House, but announces he will run for state ag commissioner.

In a one-vote victory, the House approves legislation, giving President Bush stronger authority to negotiate global trade deals. Some farm groups oppose the "fast-track" trade option; other farm groups applaud it.

Senate democrats drop a proposed tax on milk in a bid to win passage of an overhaul of farm and nutrition programs. Dairy farmers would instead get new subsidies directly from the government.

U.S. appeals court says USDA can require meat processors to comply with limits on salmonella contamination. Salmonella alone doesn't make meat unsafe, the court says. The case centered around Dallas,Texas-based Supreme Beef Processors.

On Dec. 12, a statewide plan to guide development of Texas' water resources was adopted.

The year will end without a new farm bill. On Dec. 19, the Senate, who had the bill in their court, killed a farm bill opposed by President Bush that would have boosted spending on agriculture and nutrition programs by nearly 80 percent. They will try again in January. The Bush administration says the House and Senate bills risk breaking U.S. trade commitments and provide too much money to big farms that least need the assistance.

(The year-end review was completed by Kristy Hemmingsen, reporter in Country World's East Texas office.)