Ag notebook for April 27

«New Web site ... The Ag Carbon Markets Working Group has launched www.agcarbonmarkets.com as a resource tool for the agriculture community. The Web site is geared toward helping farmers understand the potential financial benefits of climate legislation pending before Congress.

The Web site also introduces a radio ad that features farmers calling on Congress to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The ads will air in the coming weeks.

The Ag Carbon Markets Working Group was developed through a process of collaboration between Environmental Defense Fund, concerned farmers and industry experts. ACMWG has spent two years studying and addressing potential carbon offset markets for agriculture that could result from national policy and works with other entities interested in seeing carbon markets for agriculture.

«Worldwide ag ... For the first time, the World Agricultural Forum's 2009 World Congress will take place outside of the United States and will be hosted by the Republic of Uganda.

The 2009 World Congress, scheduled for Feb. 24-26, 2009, in Kampala, Uganda, will conclude with the introduction of the WAF Task Force on Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education in Africa -- Entrepreneurship and Community Development on Feb. 27.

More information on the 2009 African Congress is available at www. worldagforum.org.

«Grant applications ... The Colorado Department of Agriculture is accepting grant applications for funding through its new Ag Products Utilization and Marketing Program. Grant funds will help Colorado companies research and develop new uses and markets for food and agricultural products that are grown, raised or processed in Colorado.

Projects eligible for funding include, but are not limited to, feasibility studies and technical projects, such as assessing the potential of establishing an agricultural value-added business project, and marketing and promotion projects such as first-time participation in trade shows, new product launches and promotions supporting the development of new sales channels. About $100,000 is available, and the maximum award per project is $20,000.

For an application and program guidelines, contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture Markets Division at (303) 239-4116 or go to www.coloradoagriculture.com.

«Johne's research ... Within a few years, livestock farmers might have at their disposal a valuable tool in helping to control the spread of Johne's Disease, thanks to research being conducted at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Biological Sciences.

Johne's Disease, also known as paratuberculosis, is a highly contagious disease most commonly found in the small intestine of ruminant livestock. A distant cousin to the bacteria that causes tuberculosis in humans, Johne's is most prevalent among beef and dairy cattle, although goats and sheep also are susceptible.

Johne's is environmentally transmitted from one animal to another, most commonly when large numbers of animals are kept in close proximity, said Brian Geisbrecht at UMKC in a press release from the university.

Geisbrecht and his fellow researchers are working in close collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, where most of the testing will be conducted once the initial phases of basic research are complete.

Although the current funding is restricted to animal study, Geisbrecht's findings could easily pave the way for future studies to look at the potential for human infection, according to Lawrence A. Dreyfus, dean of the School of Biological Sciences at UMKC.

«Fair lineup ... Entertainment at the 2008 Colorado State Fair has been finalized and will offer a diverse, star-studded lineup including the Little River Band, the Smothers Brothers, The Guess Who, Sugarland and others.

Ticket prices will be announced later, but the complete lineup is available at www.coloradostatefair.com. The fair will celebrate its 136th year and is scheduled Aug. 22-Sept. 1 in Pueblo.

Submissions for the Ag Notebook should be sent to Bill Jackson, bjackson@greeleytribune.com, (970) 392-4442, or to Sharon Dunn, sdunn@greeleytribune.com, (970) 392-4439. Deadline is 4 p.m. Wednesdays. Any submission after that time will run the following week.