Early this morning I read this blogpost (http://www.ethanolrfa.org/exchange/entry/ethanol-fact-vacuum)from the Renewable Fuels Association: In it, the author claims that "America is still feeding the same amount of corn to livestock it historically has." According to USDA data, feed corn and corn byproduct usage declined from 2008 through 2009. To RFA's credit, total livestock populations on feed during that time were nose-diving and depressed, as was the economy. The latest estimates from last month indicate feed corn use will increase slightly during the current marketing year, spanning Sept. 2010 to Aug. 2011.

By now you’ve probably heard of or read the New York Times article revealing the FDA’s plan to allegedly test milk on farms that have previously had antibiotic residues in slaughter cows. In this issue, we delve into how the USDA tests slaughter animals for antibiotic residues and what it takes to get on their list of violators. Click here to jump to the article in our Poll department.

Progressive Dairyman Editor Walt Cooley discusses with New York Farm Bureau Director of Public Policy Julie Suarez the future of the dairy industry in the Empire State and national issues that are impacting its producers. This article will appear in Issue 3 of Progressive Dairyman, due in mailboxes February 8. Q. Early this year, news outlets reported legislation would be introduced in your state that would make non-therapeutic antimicrobial use a misdemeanor offense.Is New York the first state to see such a bill? SUAREZ: It would not surprise me to hear that other states are also considering similar legislation, particularly in the West Coast, but I am unaware of any other state only bills at this point. New York’s tremendous representation in the Legislature of people from New York City is a particular challenge to us.