Disaster bill coming

Joel Nelsen of California Citrus Mutual reports that a specialty crop disaster assistance bill will be introduced this afternoon by Sen Barbara Box and others.

The bill reportedly will include:
$100 million for specialty crop losses in 2005
$400 million for specialty crops hurt by heat related losses in 2006
$420 million for the citrus industry for damage from the January freeze
$438 million for other specialty crops hurt by the January freeze
$230 million for dairy producers from for losses from the 2006 heat
Assistance for the unemployed and tree assistance program

That is certainly a substantial package and to even net half of that would be a coup for California specialty crop interests.

Oranges on the water

There are oranges from Spain on the water, headed for the U.S. That's the word I received from one USDA official today, who explained the oranges have undergone a preclearance program and cold treatment to prevent the spread of Medfly.

I got no volume estimate on the level of shipments expected, however.

The oranges are under the same preclearance plan as the clementines, though some of the fruit fly trapping requirements at the grove level were suspended for oranges in view of the time of the season and the clementine trapping results.

Here is a APHIS page that links to what countries can ship to the U.S.

Don't look for Argentina citrus anytime soon. Risk assessments are continuing but officials have to work through issues whether the fruit will be allowed or not because of the citrus black spot disease. Rule making would likely take 12 months to 18 months if a proposal were put forward, in any case.

Serious defense

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and USDA economist Keith Collins are making a serious defense of the Administration's farm subsidy payment limits in today's Senate Agriculture Committee hearing. That will be a thankless job, no doubt.

I haven't heard much mention of specialty crop issues yet, but stay tuned.



Meanwhile, Brazil has expressed dissatisfaction with the farm bill, despite the Administration's effort to trim subsidies. It appears Brazil would like a WTO subsidy cutting deal to be incorporated into this year's farm bill.

Another commendation

Previously I noted a 100-year old's secret to long life including a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables. Here is another testimonial from a 77 year old runner who conquered the Empire State Building.
From the Daily News:

The 77-year old Brooklyn triathlete finished the 86-story climb in a little over 27 minutes, finishing ahead of six other competitors, including a 24-year-old who finished last. Germany's Thomas Dold defended his title - finishing in 10 minutes, 25 seconds - to best 289 other runners.
"At my age, it's getting tougher and tougher to do this," said Puma, of Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, as he gulped a plastic cup of water on the building's observatory deck after the race.
This is Puma's 15th year finishing the New York Road Runners' annual competition, a level of fitness he attributes to a disciplined diet and a steady regimen of biking, swimming and strength training.
For breakfast, he eats wheat and barley grains. For lunch, a salad of raw veggies with tuna and a dressing of lemon juice and olive oil. Dinner is his wife's concoction of steamed veggies with a side of turkey or fish, with sweet potatoes or a crusty whole grain bread.