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AR-NEWS Digest 451
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) (US) Emus clubbed to death
by Vadivu Govind
2) Vegetarian and low-fat foods and IQ
by Vadivu Govind
3) McD demo at conference
by Jean Colison
4) Weekend of Protests in D.C.
by Paul Shapiro
5) (US) Animal Rights Activists Arrested At Va. McDonald's
by allen schubert
6) mcd lifts beef ban
by Hillary
7) Letters Needed to Fish and Wildlife Service
by Mike Markarian
8) Migratory Birds Need Your Help
by Mike Markarian
9) Bird Dilemma
by "Elaine Kaufmann"
10) Taco Bell
by alisong@nicom.com
11) USDA won't scan for stolen pets
by bstagno@ix.netcom.com (Barbara Stagno)
12) Soybean Prices Off Sharply on Planting Report/Hog Herds
by Vegetarian Resource Center
13) Soybean Prices Off Sharply on Planting Report
by Vegetarian Resource Center
14) Info about Kyle Salisbury
by Paul Shapiro
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 12:51:57 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Emus clubbed to death
Message-ID: <199706300451.MAA02511@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>The Straits Times
30 June 97
EMUS KILLED: Penned in and unable to escape, 22 emus were clubbed to death
by a Texan frustrated by his financial losses in breeding the once-valuable
flightless birds.
The man and his brother were trying to relocate the emus to a rural
property from a ranch in Colleyville near Fort Worth on Friday, but could
not move the birds. They allegedly began beating them with an aluminum
baseball bat. -- Reuter.
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 14:02:36 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Vegetarian and low-fat foods and IQ
Message-ID: <199706300602.OAA11514@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
If anyone gets a hold of details of the study when it is published
(including funders) could you please post it to the list so that we'd be
able to study and critique it in depth.
Vadivu
>The Straits Times
30 June 97
Lower IQ among girls linked to obsessive dieting
London - Teenagers who are obsessed with eating vegetarian and
low-fat foods are damaging their intelligence and undermining their health,
new research has revealed.
The Sunday Times, in a report on its Internet edition yesterday,
reported that British scientists had found that "muesli malnutrition" - a
deficiency in iron and calcium caused by avoiding red meat and full-fat
dairy products - affects mental ability directly.
The study, to be published soon, shows that girls with iron
deficiency scored almost 10 per cent lower than classmates in standard IQ tests.
When given iron supplements their performances improved immediately.
The research is the first to show a direct link between low levels of iron -
the principal cause of anaemia - and reduced intelligence.
Ms Ruth Ash, a research scientist at King's College, London, who
carried out the study, said the results were a clear warning to girls to
maintain a balanced diet.
"Iron enzymes act as biological catalysts which increase the
efficiency of neurotransmitters in people's brains, so improving their
ability to learn and think," she said.
The researchers found girls are more likely than boys to have low
iron levels because they generally eat less red meat, are more likely to be
vegetarian and are often dieting.
Ms Ash also found that since iron deficiency causes lethargy, it
made girls more likely to become obese through lack of exercise. "It is a
vicious cycle," she said.
Nutrition experts have called on mothers to stop feeding their
children so-called healthy diets that are designed for adults. High-fibre,
low-fat diets are not suitable for children who need energy-dense foods to
ensure they get vital micronutrients such as iron and zinc.
Scientists have warned that poorly nourished children could end up
with anaemia, stunted growth, learning difficulties or heart disease.
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 07:23:28 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jean Colison
To: Ar-news
Subject: McD demo at conference
Message-ID:
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Picture of 2 demonstrators with riot squad and McD's in background:
"Miyun Park leads chanting in front of a McDonald's restaurant during an
animal rights convention in Arlington. In the background, Brian Bowers,
of San Diego, holds a list of grievances agains the company."
AROUND THE REGION
Monday, June 30, 1997; Page B03
The Washington Post
Animal Rights Activists Arrested At Va. McDonald's
As many as 18 activists who gathered in Arlington for a convention of
animal rights proponents were arrested yesterday afternoon after they
crossed Jefferson Davis Highway to demonstrate at the McDonald's
restaurant nearest their hotel, police said.
Using pepper spray, police in full riot gear dispersed the crowd of
about 200 protesters.
Business was disrupted for more than two hours at the McDonald's in
Crystal City, where police said protesters carried an effigy of
corporate mascot Ronald McDonald, hurled condiments and blocked access
to the restaurant parking lot.
The arrested protesters faced charges including destruction of property
or trespassing at the restaurant in the 2600 block of Jefferson Davis
Highway, said Arlington Detective Ken Rosenberg. The protesters equated
eating meat with cruelty to animals.
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 07:43:54 -0400 (EDT)
From: Paul Shapiro
To: AR-News
Subject: Weekend of Protests in D.C.
Message-ID:
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
This past weekend, hundreds of activists from around the world attended
the Animal Rights '97 Convention. Many large demonstrations took place.
Here's a brief summary:
PeTA's Health and Human Services Protest (6/27/97)
More than 100 activists converged upon HHS in protest of the FDA
regulations which require animal tests for pharmaceuticals. The rally
included three speakers and a torching of the FDA regulations. While an
ABC affiliate was present, there was nothing on the evening news.
COK/CAFT's Miller's Furs Protest (6/28/97)
Approximately 110 activists protested outside of Miller's Furs in D.C. (a
COK target for the last two years). Picketing and chanting went on for
about one hour before a human-sized effigy of the "Bloody Fur Trade" was
torched and left to burn directly in front of Miller's front doors. Before
the end of the protest, three windows were smashed. No arrests were made,
despite heavy police presence. The event was briefly mentioned on the next
day's evening news.
FoA's UniverSoul Circus Protest (6/28/97)
Once again, more than 100 activists joined together to protest animal
exploitation. FoA organized a demonstration against UniverSoul Circus in
front of RFK Stadium in D.C. Circus patrons threw rocks at demonstrators
while activists chanted. The event was covered on a local cable news
station and an ABC affiliate.
McLibel Support Group's McDonald's Protest (6/29/97)
Approximately 175 activists protested at a Crystal City, VA McDonald's.
Many activists entered the restaurant and were assaulted by management and
patrons alike. After this, a struggle ensued resulting in some property
damage. The activists left the restaurant to join the protesters outside.
More than 40 police officers in full riot gear tried to disperse the
crowd. Pepper spray was used without warning on dozens of activists. A
life-sized effigy of Ronald McDonald was set ablaze. By the end of the
three and a half hour demo, 16 arrests had been made. The protest was
either the main feature or second story of every major TV station's news
broadcast in the D.C. area. Many newspapers and wires, including the
Washington Post and Reuters, were present.
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 08:42:34 -0400
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Animal Rights Activists Arrested At Va. McDonald's
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970630084230.006ef8a4@clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
from WashingtonPost.com:
--------------------------------------------
Monday, June 30, 1997; Page B03
The Washington Post
Animal Rights Activists Arrested At Va.
McDonald's
As many as 18 activists who gathered in
Arlington for a convention of animal rights
proponents were arrested yesterday afternoon
after they crossed Jefferson Davis Highway to
demonstrate at the McDonald's restaurant
nearest their hotel, police said.
Using pepper spray, police in full riot gear
dispersed the crowd of about 200 protesters.
Business was disrupted for more than two hours
at the McDonald's in Crystal City, where police
said protesters carried an effigy of corporate
mascot Ronald McDonald, hurled condiments and
blocked access to the restaurant parking lot.
The arrested protesters faced charges including
destruction of property or trespassing at the
restaurant in the 2600 block of Jefferson Davis
Highway, said Arlington Detective Ken
Rosenberg. The protesters equated eating meat
with cruelty to animals.
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 13:40:20 -0700
From: Hillary
To: "ar-news@envirolink.org"
Subject: mcd lifts beef ban
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970630134018.00683b80@pop01.ny.us.ibm.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Subj:McDonald's Lifts British Beef Ban
Date:97-06-26 11:01:00 EDT
From:AOL News
BCC:FreeAnmls
.c The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) - McDonald's on Thursday lifted its 15-month ban on
British beef and said customers appear to be overcoming their fears
of Mad Cow disease.
``We will begin buying British beef immediately and the new
supplies will start to be served in restaurants over the next few
weeks,'' McDonald's managing director Andrew Taylor said after
meeting with Agriculture Minister Jack Cunningham.
McDonald's, which had been spending more than 22.5 million
pounds (dlrs 37.5 million) a year on British beef, stopped using it
in March 1996 after the government announced a likely connection
between a fatal brain disease in humans and meat from cows infected
with bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
``The results of our last research, conducted this month, show
that 74 percent of consumers now want us to sell British beef,''
Taylor said.
``McDonald's decision underlines their confidence in British
beef and will go some way to further boosting consumer confidence,
which has already recovered remarkably well,'' Cunnningham said.
Before the meeting with Cunningham, McDonald's spokesman Mike
Love told BBC radio, ``We have always said we would return to the
use of British beef when our customers told us the time was
right.''
``We have been carrying out consumer research over the last year
and the latest results are very encouraging,'' Love said. ``There
has been a definite improvement.''
McDonald's, which has 760 restaurants in the United Kingdom, had
been buying 7,000 cattle a week, or the equivalent of one in 12 of
all the British cows that went to market for slaughter. Its ban was
a severe blow to farmers and the British market.
When the crisis over the fatal cattle disease began 15 months
ago, McDonald's tried at first to reassure its customers with
leaflets describing its quality checks.
But on March 24, 1996 it stopped serving hamburgers in its
British restaurants until it could get foreign beef, and has not
used British beef since.
The crisis led the European Union to ban Britain's worldwide
beef exports the same month - a measure that still stands - and the
payment of hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies to the beef
sector to prop up prices and farmer incomes.
``The sooner the European Union takes action towards lifting the
export ban on British beef, the better it will be for beef farmers
throughout the EU,'' Cunningham said Thursday.
Responding to speculation earlier Thursday that McDonald's would
start buying British beef again, National Farmers Union president
Sir David Naish said: ``I am delighted now that they listened to
their consumers and I very much hope they will feel able to come
back into the market. They are hugely important customers,'' he
said.
AP-NY-06-26-97 1017EDT
Copyright 1997 The Associated Press. The information
contained in the AP news report may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without
prior written authority of The Associated Press.
To edit your profile, go to keyword NewsProfiles.
For all of today's news, go to keyword News.
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 10:00:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mike Markarian
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, seac+announce@ecosys.drdr.virginia.edu,
en.alerts@conf.igc.apc.org
Subject: Letters Needed to Fish and Wildlife Service
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19970630131309.548f06e2@pop.igc.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
URGENT ACTION ALERT!
LETTERS NEEDED TO FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
The Fund for Animals has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a
grant of $142,000 under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration
Administrative Program to fund "Project Respect: An Educational Program for
Young People." Project Respect will create educational materials to teach
children and young people (grades K through 12) respect for animals who live
in the wild. We plan to distribute these materials to schools all across the
country. The Fish and Wildlife Service has told the press that this is the
first time in the 60 year history of their grant program that a group
opposed to hunting has applied for funds. Hunting organizations and outdoor
writers are telling hunters to urge the Fish and Wildlife Service to deny
the grant.
The Fish and Wildlife Service needs to hear the animals' side of the issue.
Please write to the Service at the address below and ask them to approve The
Fund for Animals' grant proposal.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
In your letter, you may wish to make the following points.
* They have previously approved $330,000 in grants to the National Shooting
Sports Foundation for the production and distribution of pro-hunting videos
for schools. America's young people have a right to hear both sides of the
hunting debate.
* Since the Fish and Wildlife Service has provided major support to the
hunting industry, they have an obligation to "level the playing field" by
providing support to wildlife protection groups. They are a public service
agency that must represent all its citizens.
* The Fish and Wildlife Service's charter is to protect wildlife, and they
should fund projects that teach young people to protect animals rather than
kill them for sport.
* The money to fund this grant program (Pittman-Robertson) does not come
primarily from hunters. It comes from all buyers of firearms and ammunition,
only 20% of whom hunt.
Please be polite and businesslike. But most importantly, please be prompt.
The Fish and Wildlife Service will make a decision later this summer, and
the animals need your voice now.
For information on anti-hunting materials for young people, please contact
The Fund for Animals at or (301) 585-2591. Thank you!
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 14:30:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mike Markarian
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, seac+announce@ecosys.drdr.virginia.edu,
en.alerts@conf.igc.apc.org
Subject: Migratory Birds Need Your Help
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19970630174327.5e2f0538@pop.igc.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
ACTION ALERT
MIGRATORY BIRDS NEED YOUR HELP IN TWO WAYS!
==============================
Issue #1
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act currently prohibits the baiting of any hunted
species (such as ducks and doves) but hunters are trying to relax the law so
they can hunt over bait. Congressman Don Young (R-AK) has introduced H.R.
741, which would prohibit baiting of migratory birds only "where that person
knows or should have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence that
bait was present." The bill would shift the burden of proof to federal law
enforcement agents, forcing them to become mindreaders and to prove that
hunters knew the land was baited. Virtually all hunters arrested for baiting
violations could argue that they did not know bait was present.
Please write to your one Representative and your two Senators, urging them
to oppose H.R. 741:
The Honorable __________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Switchboard: (202) 225-3121
The Honorable __________
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
You may wish to tell them that:
* It is unsporting and unfair to lure animals with bait and to shoot them at
point-blank range.
* Studies indicate that waterfowl hunters can kill about six times as many
birds with bait as they can without, a drastic increase that could
jeopardize many migratory bird populations.
==============================
Issue #2
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed an increase in seasons and
bag limits for the 1997 duck hunting season. They have proposed a 60-day
hunting season with a daily bag limit of six birds in the Atlantic and
Mississippi Flyways, a 74-day season with a daily bag limit of six birds in
the Central Flyway, and a 107-day season with a daily bag limit of seven
birds in the Pacific Flyway.
Please write to the Service and tell them not to increase the seasons and
bag limits for duck hunting:
Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Room 634-ARLSQ
1849 C Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
You may wish to tell them that:
* At least six duck populations declined in 1996 (mallard, American widgeon,
northern pintail, redhead, scaup, and black ducks) and they should not
increase the number that can be killed.
==============================
Thank you for your help! For more information contact The Fund for Animals
at or 301-585-2591.
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 19:45:34 EST5EDT
From: "Elaine Kaufmann"
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Bird Dilemma
Message-ID:
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
Hello everyone--
Somewhere in the trees around my apartment house is a bird that just
is not an ordinary New York bird. I am thinking he is an escaped or
released exotic... his song is like nothing I have ever heard before,
louder and more varied than anything I have heard before, and he sings mostly late at
night (after midnight). I still have not been able to spot him after
3 weeks of looking.
I don't want him to be confined again, but I don't want anyone with
dishonorable intentions to get ahold of him...and what about when the
cold weather comes? I can't even find him in the trees. Are there any bird people
out there who can offer me any suggestions?
Many thanks.
Elaine
EKaufman@lawlib.law.pace.edu
P.S. Thank you to all who gave me information about humane vet/pre
vet resources.
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 19:43:41 +0000
From: alisong@nicom.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org, veg-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Taco Bell
Message-ID: <33B80C6D.233F@nicom.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
A message was recently posted here about Taco Bell's veggie fajitas.
I had called Taco Bell's customer service number months ago to find
out if they were vegan and was told that as long as they were ordered
without the cheese, they were indeed vegan. Today, however, spurred by
the recent message, I called again and insisted that they double
check. After quite a while spent trying to find the ingredients for
the fajita sauce, the representative told me that indeed the sauce
does contain chicken extract and crab extract. Needless to say, I am
quite angry!
If anyone wants to complain to Taco Bell about the fact that it is
misleading customers (and blatantly lying in at least one case),
here's the contact info:
Taco Bell
Consumer Affairs
17901 Von Karman
Irvine, CA 92714
(800)822-6235
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 20:39:08 -0500 (CDT)
From: bstagno@ix.netcom.com (Barbara Stagno)
To: idamw@fyiowa.infi.net
Subject: USDA won't scan for stolen pets
Message-ID: <199707010139.UAA13596@dfw-ix10.ix.netcom.com>
Stolen pets at Research Facilities need help
In an effort to reduce the trade in stolen dogs and cats, the
Humane Society of New York submitted a petition to the United States
Department of Agriculture requesting the USDA to promulgate a
regulation requiring research facilities to scan dogs and cats for
microchips. The petition also asks the USDA to require its inspectors
to scan dogs and cats at research facilities for microchips during
their inspections. Upon finding an identified dog or cat, the research
facility would be prohibited from using the animal for any purpose and
would be required to immediately contact the person identified on the
microchip.
A universal microchip scanner is now available to detect the
microchips of the three manufacturers in the United States whose
microchips are implanted in dogs and cats. According to Dr. Kenneth
Wall at Schering-Plough, these scanners will be sold to research
facilities and the USDA at a cost of $250.
Microchip scanners are increasingly used in animal shelters to
identify lost animals. According to Schering-Plough, a manufacturer of
the Home Again microchip, over 4,000 dogs and cats with microchips have
been reunited with their human companions during the last two years.
Despite the availability of the universal microchip scanners
and the increasing use of the microchips, the USDA rejected the
petition and refused to require or even suggest to research facilities
that they scan dogs and cats to determine if they have been stolen.
They similarly ignored the request to have USDA inspectors use
scanners.
ACTION: Please contact Mr. Michael Dunn, Assistant Secretary,
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 228-W, Washington, D.C. and
urge reconsideration by the USDA of the petition. Please emphasize
that the USDA hould take all reasonable measures to ensure that stolen
animals are not used by research facilities and that its failure to do
so is unacceptable.
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 22:23:37 -0400
From: Vegetarian Resource Center
To: AR-News@envirolink.org
Subject: Soybean Prices Off Sharply on Planting Report/Hog Herds
Message-ID: <3.0.2.32.19970630222337.0123e184@pop.tiac.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Subject: Soybean Prices Off Sharply on Planting Report
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 15:21:50 PDT
From: C-reuters@clari.net (Reuters)
ClariNet story BUSINESS-COMMODITIES from Reuters
Soybean Prices Off Sharply on Planting Report
Copyright 1997 by Reuters / Mon, 30 Jun 1997 15:21:50 PDT
CHICAGO (Reuter) - Soybean prices fell sharply Monday after the
Agriculture Department said U.S. farmers had planted the
largest amount of acreage to the crop in 15 years.
In other markets, corn rose on smaller than expected plantings,
cocoa rose on fears of crop damage from hot weather,
and oil prices were firm on delays in Iraqi oil sales.
At the Chicago Board of Trade, soybeans for delivery from
the start of harvest in September onward closed down the
30 cent a bushel daily trading limit.
November soybeans closed at $6.17 1/2, down 30 cents.
``The market was caught off guard by the acreage report,''
said Bob Lekberg, an analyst with trading firm
Goldenberg-Hehmeyer in Chicago. ``We ended up with a
planting figure that was quite a bit higher than the average guess.''
The Agriculture Department, reporting conditions as of June 1,
said farmers had planted 70.85 million acres to soybeans,
the largest amount of seedings since 1982 and up 10 percent
from the 64.21 million acres planted last year.
Analysts on average had expected a figure of 68.4 million.
Soybeans for July delivery closed 16 cents lower at $7.71,
but selling was limited by another government report that
estimated remaining soybean stockpiles at only 499 million bushels,
down from an average analyst guess of 516 million.
Soybean prices had soared to eight-year highs earlier
this spring on worries about dwindling supplies.
Corn for December delivery closed 2 3/4 cents a bushel higher
at $2.38 1/4 a bushel after the government report pegged corn plantings
at only 80.2 million acres, below an average of analysts' estimates for
81.8 million.
Analysts said farmers, who this year are making planting choices
largely unhindered by government program rules for the first time in decades,
had clearly switched acreage away from corn to cash in on soybeans.
``Bean acres were up and corn was down because it is more expensive to
produce corn,'' said Dick Loewy, president of Chicago-based analytical firm
AgResource Inc.
``We were mesmerized this spring by early (corn) plantings, but we
should have seen this coming,'' Loewy said.
Wheat prices were pressured after the government said farmers
had seeded 19.2 million acres to spring wheat this year,
well above an average analyst guess of 18.1 million.
July delivery soft red winter wheat futures fell 2 cents a bushel
to $3.23 3/4 in Chicago, but spring wheat futures traded at the
Minneapolis Grain Exchange were harder hit, with July
down 7 1/4 cents to close at $3.71 3/4 cents.
``Another big surprise was spring wheat acres,'' Loewy said.
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, pork prices soared after
the Agriculture Department said in a quarterly report issued
late last Friday that hog producers did not expand herds
aggressively this spring as had been expected.
Prices of pork bellies, the raw material used to produce bacon,
rose the daily allowable trading limit of 3 cents a pound across the board
with July bellies ending at 85.225
cents. August lean hogs closed up the 2-cent daily limit at 81.95 cents a
pound.
The government on Friday said the hog herd as of June 1 was 58.2 million
animals, up
only 2 percent from a year earlier. Animals reserved for breeding were up
only one
percent, far lower than analysts had forecast based on expected strong
demand from
Japan and other Asian countries after Taiwan halted its pork exports
earlier this year.
``I think both those numbers were shocking,'' said Dave Butterfield,
commodity broker
with Rand Finanical Services.
Doug Harper, senior livestock analyst with Brock Associates, said a growing
number of
lawsuits in the Midwest challenging large hog farms on environmental or
social grounds
may have discouraged producers from expanding.
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 22:23:15 -0400
From: Vegetarian Resource Center
To: AR-News@envirolink.org
Subject: Soybean Prices Off Sharply on Planting Report
Message-ID: <3.0.2.32.19970630222315.0123e184@pop.tiac.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Subject: Soybean Prices Off Sharply on Planting Report
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 15:21:50 PDT
From: C-reuters@clari.net (Reuters)
ClariNet story BUSINESS-COMMODITIES from Reuters
Soybean Prices Off Sharply on Planting Report
Copyright 1997 by Reuters / Mon, 30 Jun 1997 15:21:50 PDT
CHICAGO (Reuter) - Soybean prices fell sharply Monday after the
Agriculture Department said U.S. farmers had planted the
largest amount of acreage to the crop in 15 years.
In other markets, corn rose on smaller than expected plantings,
cocoa rose on fears of crop damage from hot weather,
and oil prices were firm on delays in Iraqi oil sales.
At the Chicago Board of Trade, soybeans for delivery from
the start of harvest in September onward closed down the
30 cent a bushel daily trading limit.
November soybeans closed at $6.17 1/2, down 30 cents.
``The market was caught off guard by the acreage report,''
said Bob Lekberg, an analyst with trading firm
Goldenberg-Hehmeyer in Chicago. ``We ended up with a
planting figure that was quite a bit higher than the average guess.''
The Agriculture Department, reporting conditions as of June 1,
said farmers had planted 70.85 million acres to soybeans,
the largest amount of seedings since 1982 and up 10 percent
from the 64.21 million acres planted last year.
Analysts on average had expected a figure of 68.4 million.
Soybeans for July delivery closed 16 cents lower at $7.71,
but selling was limited by another government report that
estimated remaining soybean stockpiles at only 499 million bushels,
down from an average analyst guess of 516 million.
Soybean prices had soared to eight-year highs earlier
this spring on worries about dwindling supplies.
Corn for December delivery closed 2 3/4 cents a bushel higher
at $2.38 1/4 a bushel after the government report pegged corn plantings
at only 80.2 million acres, below an average of analysts' estimates for
81.8 million.
Analysts said farmers, who this year are making planting choices
largely unhindered by government program rules for the first time in decades,
had clearly switched acreage away from corn to cash in on soybeans.
``Bean acres were up and corn was down because it is more expensive to
produce corn,'' said Dick Loewy, president of Chicago-based analytical firm
AgResource Inc.
``We were mesmerized this spring by early (corn) plantings, but we
should have seen this coming,'' Loewy said.
Wheat prices were pressured after the government said farmers
had seeded 19.2 million acres to spring wheat this year,
well above an average analyst guess of 18.1 million.
July delivery soft red winter wheat futures fell 2 cents a bushel
to $3.23 3/4 in Chicago, but spring wheat futures traded at the
Minneapolis Grain Exchange were harder hit, with July
down 7 1/4 cents to close at $3.71 3/4 cents.
``Another big surprise was spring wheat acres,'' Loewy said.
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 23:55:32 -0400 (EDT)
From: Paul Shapiro
To: AR-News
Subject: Info about Kyle Salisbury
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Hi,
If anyone has any information on whether Kyle Salisbury, the
15-year-old activist from San Diego who was arrested at the Virginia McDonald's
protest Sunday the 29th, is out of jail (or any info at all), please call:
Denise Violetta: 202-232-4295
Jail support team members have been unable to get any straight information
from the jail, court house, and juvenile detention facility, as Kyle is a
minor.
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