Feedstuffs articles from March 2005

Feedstuffs archives from March 2005

Soybean rust scenario model: crop year 2005 decision-making requires planning.(Special Report)
March 7, 2005... Unknown is when soybean rust might arrive during the growing season, how it might be distributed across a particular region or farm, how it might affect a particular field and what its final impact might be on crop yields and prices. As a...

Global dairy trade to grow.(Special Report)
March 7, 2005... Despite milk being a perishable product, it is generally assumed that global dairy trade will grow. New countries will sweep the market. However, with growing domestic consumption and demand, other countries cannot compete. Globally, only...

R-CALF targets legal boxed beef following ruling by district court.(R-CALF USA on beef import ban)
March 7, 2005... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Emboldened by a U.S. district court ruling in Billings, Mont., that has delayed implementation of the U.S. rule to reopen the border to Canadian cattle, R-CALF USA chief executive officer Bill Bullard told Feedstuffs his...

Meat industry worries about plant outsourcing.
March 7, 2005... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- If beef trade is not normalized between the U.S. and Canada in the near future, meatpacking company officials charged that their industry could see an outsourcing of plants to Canada. Those concerns were aired during a...

U.S. loses final appeal in WTO cotton dispute.(World Trade Organization)
March 7, 2005... The World Trade Organization's Appellate Body agreed last Thursday with much of an earlier dispute panel's findings against the cotton program operated by the U.S. The closely watched decision will likely mean that the U.S. government will...

Canada reacts to R-CALF injunction.
March 7, 2005... Canadian government and industry officials reacted quickly to a U.S. federal judge's decision to grant a temporary injunction blocking the resumption of young cattle imports, saying they were disturbed by the new delay and would soon decide on...

WTO market access talks hit stalling point over converting import tariffs.(World Trade Organization)
March 7, 2005... What was supposed to be a simple, technical detail on market access has turned into a major stumbling block in agriculture negotiations at the World Trade Organization, putting a new obstacle in the way of governments' push for the outlines of...

Lessons from BSE policy: end of an age of reason?(Bovine spongiform encephalopathy)
March 7, 2005... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- What passed for an age of reason in U.S. policy on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was jeopardized last week by events that make it clear that "political science"--driven by economics--could gain the whip hand in...

Supreme Court agrees to consider if packers, processors will need to pay for walking time.
March 7, 2005... The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consolidate and hear two cases involving packers' and processors' practice to not pay workers for their time walking to and from assembly lines and work stations. A decision that the time is compensable...

Moseley to resign from ag deputy post.(Jim Moseley)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... By Feedstuffs Washington Bureau WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Agriculture Deputy Secretary Jim Moseley announced March 4 that he will resign from his post. The announcement was anticipated. It has been widely rumored in Washington that White...

U.K. publishes new TB rules.(Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs)
March 7, 2005... The U.K.'s Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published a set of ground rules March 1 that will help government, veterinarians, farmers and wildlife groups tackle bovine tuberculosis (TB). The strategic framework,...

Hollywood should be held accountable for its views.(Television Program Review)
March 7, 2005... I do not watch much television, but on Sundays, I make an effort to watch "Boston Legal." I enjoy the show because the writing is very unique. It incorporates issues of the day into an entertaining one-hour program. I was a fan until Feb....

Loos to provide weekly commentary.(Loos Tales)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Feedstuffs welcomes to its pages each week columnist Trent Loos. Loos is a sixth-generation producer who has taken his passion for a rural lifestyle to the radio airwaves with a program called "Loos Tales." He has a background in livestock...

LOL sets tone for co-op to build brands, deliver value.
March 7, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS,MINN. -- Land O'Lakes Inc. (LOL) has sent signals to member-owners that it needs to focus less on its commodity activities and more on brands and value addition, which could mean the divestiture of several businesses, including the...

Moark to build new, leading-edge Missouri complex.
March 7, 2005... Moark LLC, after deciding not to build an egg production complex in southeastern Kansas, has announced plans to construct a complex in southwestern Missouri near an existing complex near Neosho, Mo. The new complex is part of the company's...

LOL, the Maschhoffs complete swine deal.(Land O'Lakes Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Land O'Lakes Inc. (LOL) reported that it and The Maschhoffs Inc. have completed the transaction in which Maschhoff West LLC will acquire LOL's swine production assets. Terms of the transaction were not released. The two companies announced...

Stock summary.( )(Illustration)
March 7, 2005... STOCK SUMMARY This Last Week Week Year Mar. 2 Feb. 23 Ago Feedstuffs-Nelson Stock Indexes Agribusiness 132.4 127.3 ...

U.S. dollar equivalencies, March 2.( )(Brief Article)(Illustration)
March 7, 2005... U.S. DOLLAR EQUIVALENCIES, MARCH 2 Australian dollar 0.78280 Brazilian real 0.37834 British pound 1.90950 Canadian dollar 0.80321 Chinese yuan 0.12082 Euro 1.31350 Japanese yen ...

Rabobank begins western U.S. expansion.( )(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Rabobank International has reported that its California commercial and retail bank, Valley Independent Bank (VIB), is changing its name to Rabobank as part of plans "to enlarge its footprint" in California and the western U.S. At the same...

Sara Lee declares dividend.( )(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... CHICAGO, ILL. -- The board of directors of Sara Lee Corp. has declared a cash dividend of 19.75 cents per share on the company's common stock, payable April 1 to holders of record March 1, according to an announcement. The dividend...

PSF credits increased pounds sold, selling prices.(PSF Group Holdings Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... KANSAS CITY, MO. -- PSF Group Holdings Inc., which holds Premium Standard Farms Inc., has reported substantially improved results for its third fiscal 2005 period and three quarters, crediting results to increased pounds sold and increased...

Wyeth authorizes dividends.(Fort Dodge Animal Health)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... MADISON, N.J. -- The board of directors of Wyeth, the parent company of Fort Dodge Animal Health, has authorized a cash dividend of 23 cents per share on the company's common stock, payable March 1 to holders of record Feb. 11, according to an...

Sun Capital Partners acquires majority stake in Creekstone Farms.
March 7, 2005... BOCA RATON, FLA. -- Sun Capital Partners Inc. announced March 2 that its affiliate, Creekstone Holding Corp., acquired the majority interest in Creekstone Farms Premium Beef from an undisclosed large financial institution. John Stewart,...

Monsanto's ASI unit buys NC+.(American Seeds Inc.)
March 7, 2005... American Seeds Inc. (ASI), a Monsanto holding company, has acquired for $40 million the seed corn and genetics company NC+ Hybrids Inc., a company recently formed through a reorganization of NC+ Hybrids Cooperative. NC+ was established in...

Newport Laboratories.(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... NEWPORT LABORATORIES, Worthington, Minn. -- Helen Casey has joined the company as laboratory supervisor of CAVL Diagnostics. Casey will manage the on-site diagnostic and milk quality laboratories. Jackie Kramer has joined the company as...

Kansas City Southern.(appointments)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN, Kansas City, Mo. -- Michael R. Bilovesky has been promoted to vice president marketing, agriculture and minerals. Bilovesky will be responsible for the Kansas City Southern Railway (KCSR) and the Texas Mexican Railway Co....

Michigan State University.(appointment of Thomas Coon)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, East Lansing, Mich. -- Thomas Coon has been named director of the university's Extension. Coon was most recently associate dean for graduate and international programs.

Schering-Plough Corp.(appointment of Guy Fekete)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... SCHERING-PLOUGH CORP., Kenilworth, N.J. -- Guy Fekete has been appointed general manager, Schering-Plough Animal Health in France. Fekete will be responsible for leading operational activities for the animal health division in Levallois-Perret,...

Gold Kist describes 'exciting jump' in conversion to 'go-to' public company.
March 7, 2005... ATLANTA, GA. -- Gold Kist Inc. took a bold step last year as the agriculture cooperative conducted a public stock offering and converted to a public company that's traded on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange. The process provided the capitalization...

NTF votes to continue consumer promotion, address impact of ethanol on feed costs.(poultry)(National Turkey Federation)
March 7, 2005... LONG BEACH, CAL. -- The board of directors of the National Turkey Federation (NTF), at its annual business meeting here last month, voted to continue the federation's consumer program promoting turkey as "the perfect protein." The campaign...

The chickening of McDonald's.(Market Digest)(success of Chicken Selects)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Historic burger marketer McDonald's Corp. is now the largest marketer of premium chicken sandwiches, strips and other products in the U.S., with one-third of the company' s menu now chicken based, according to Ralph Alvarez, president for North...

Turkey award.(Market Digest)(Machine Shed won Turkey on the Menu)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... The National Turkey Federation (NTF) has presented the 3rd annual TOM (Turkey on the Menu) award to the Machine Shed, a multi-unit restaurant system that features eight turkey items on its menu from roast turkey and dressing to turkey fillet...

Turkey burger.(Market Digest)(Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc.'s Turkey Club Burger )(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Turkey burger. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, a casual dining restaurant system that features a line-up of 22 gourmet burgers, has added the Turkey Club Burger to its menu, according to executive chef Luke Belsito. The sandwich features a...

Turkey fits trends.(Market Digest)(food habits)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... There are four basic food trends today, according to Kristine Kidd, food editor of Bon Appetite. The first is towards comfort food such as meat loaf, with consumers cooking more at home, although convenience and simplicity still are important,...

Competitive exclusion may help control salmonella colonization.(Nutrition And Health/Poultry)
March 7, 2005... In an abstract presented at January's International Poultry Science Forum in Atlanta, Ga., A.A. Santos Jr., P.R. Ferket, J.L. Grimes and F.B.O. Santos of North Carolina State University discussed the reduction of intestinal salmonella...

Iowa State University is one of 11 institutions receiving part of $5 million.(Research Digest)(research on animal diet and air quality )
March 7, 2005... Iowa State University is one of 11 institutions receiving part of $5 million in new funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for air quality research. The four-year project will study dietary strategies to reduce gas emissions from...

Compounded drug guidelines released.(Nutrition And Health/Poultry)(American Association of Equine Practitioners)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... The drug compounding task force of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) released guidelines Feb. 22 regarding the responsible use of compounded medications by veterinarians. The guidelines are the result of the...

Current research reported at International Poultry forum.(Bottom Line Of Nutrition/Poultry)(ovo feeding)
March 7, 2005... The International Poultry Scientific Forum was held Jan. 24-25 in the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Ga. The Southern Poultry Science Society, the Southern Conference of Avian Diseases and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Assn. sponsored this...

Necrotic enteritis affects modern broiler production.(Nutrition And Health/Poultry)
March 7, 2005... As the poultry industry looks for alternatives to the continuous use of antibiotic growth promoters, necrotic enteritis is again at the forefront of problems facing the industry. Understanding the multiple factors that can lead to necrotic...

Modified feed plan could improve coccidiosis control.(Nutrition And Health/Poultry)
March 7, 2005... ATLANTA, GA. -- Poultry producers vaccinating broilers against coccidiosis can save money and get better vaccine results by changing their nutrition program, according to a poultry veterinarian and independent nutritional consultant. More...

Yeast culture may support greater feed efficiency.(Special Report)
March 7, 2005... BROOKINGS, S.D. -- Dairy producers are looking for means to increase feed efficiency, and improvements in feed efficiency can positively affect herd profitability even when changes in production or feed intake or both may be slight. Yeast...

Ceftiofur approved for mastitis treatment.(FDA Notice)(Spectramast LC Sterile Suspension from Pharmacia & Upjohn Co.)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Food & Drug Administration has amended the animal drug regulations to reflect approval of a new animal drug application (NADA) filed by Pharmacia & Upjohn Co., a division of Pfizer Inc., New York, N.Y. According to...

Subclinical milk fever affects dairy profitability.(Special Report)
March 7, 2005... BROOKINGS, S.D. -- Low calcium in the blood, even when dairy cows don't show the clinical symptoms of milk fever, can cut into profitability, a South Dakota State University specialist said. Milk fever or hypocalcemia (low calcium in blood)...

Willard Sparks.(agribusiness expert passed away)(Obituary)
March 7, 2005... MEMPHIS, TENN. -- Dr. Willard R. Sparks, 68, founder of Sparks Commodities and Sparks Companies, passed away at his Memphis home Jan. 30 following a battle with throat cancer. Sparks was also part owner of Refco, a futures trading company...

Why has no BSE been found in indigenous U.S. cattle?(Special Report)(research on transmission factors of bovine spongiform encephalopathy)
March 7, 2005... Within 10 days of the public announcement that BSE was found in the U.K., the U.S. was the first country in the world to react to the threat. It was that immediate reaction and the resulting prevention plans that have so far prevented BSE in...

Meeting on progress in developing feed safety system set for April.
March 7, 2005... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Food & Drug Administration is holding a public meeting in April to discuss the agency's progress in developing what it calls a comprehensive, risk-based Animal Feed Safety System (AFSS) describing how animal feeds...

Study examines AGPs.(antibiotic growth promotants)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Danish hog production has taken a beating since the decision to withdraw antibiotic growth promotants (AGPs) in hog feed at the weaning stage, according to participants in a study of the issue. The soon-to-be-released report shows that the...

1998: withdrawal begins.( )
March 7, 2005... The Danish government instituted a voluntary ban on the use of AGPs at the finishing stage in 1998. It was accomplished through a tax and some pressure to discontinue the use of antibiotics used to enhance nutritional efficiency. Faced with a...

U.S. comparison.(pork industry)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Hayes used the data to offer an estimate of how such a ban would affect U.S. producers. Taking into account several differences in U.S. and Danish production systems, he said he believes costs would increase approximately $4.50 per animal...

Denmark defense.( )(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Hog industry leaders in Denmark said there has been improvements in production since the withdrawal was instituted. Sow productivity has continued to improve by 0.1 slaughter pigs per year. Also, increased emphasis on feed and hygiene...

Resistance study in Europe.(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... A report from the Netherlands said over-prescribing antibiotics to human outpatients is associated with high rates of antibiotic resistance in southern and eastern Europe. If the situation is not corrected, "we will lose the miracle drugs of...

U.S. think tank weighs in.(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... The director of global food issues for an Indianapolis, Ind.-based think tank said even those critical of antibiotic usage in farm animal production admit that the biggest factor in antibiotic-resistant bacteria is human doctors who often...

Program offers guidelines.( )(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... The National Pork Board is rolling out a new program called "Take Care--Use Antibiotics Responsibly." The program was developed to guide producers and veterinarians in the responsible use of antibiotics to preserve animal health and protect...

New technology offers promise for manure management systems.( )
March 7, 2005... BANFF, ALB. -- Three major integrated manure management systems successfully turning manure into usable byproducts in western Canada are paving the way for a dramatic new potential for waste management in Canada's livestock business, according...

Face of grain handling changing with push to develop, implement IP program.
March 7, 2005... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- With grain growers increasingly utilizing new plant genetics with different traits, grain handlers have to be able to segregate those various products from conventional grain. Jim Voigt, vice president of international...

Utilizing prefab may improve quality, lower costs of projects.(prefabrication)(Interstates Companies)
March 7, 2005... In the past year, Interstates Companies, an electrical engineering and construction, automation and instrumentation company, has made prefabrication an important part of its approach to projects. "It is an industry trend," said Lowell...

Rural economy much more than commodity agriculture.
March 7, 2005... The evolution of agriculture over the past century from technology like tractors to hybrid seed corn--led U.S. agriculture on a productivity growth trend that freed up significant amounts of labor for non-farm employment. Some of these...

Cow Power debuts in Vermont.
March 7, 2005... A 1,500-head dairy facility in Bridport, Vt., has become the first electrical power producer as part of a Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) program that links CVPS customers with farm-produced electricity. Blue Spruce Farm produces...

Broin makes ethanol technology breaktrhough.
March 7, 2005... The Broin Companies announced the creation of a new patent-pending technology for ethanol production that eliminates a energy-consuming and costly cooking step in the process. The "Broin Project X" (BPX) process not only reduces energy...

Biodegradable hog mat eliminates need to clean.
March 7, 2005... New biodegradable and compostable hog mats for farrowing and nursery barns are hitting the market soon as an alternative to the standard rubber mats. The corn stalk-based product, developed by Darryl Metcalfe and Tony Schmitt, who formed...

Railcar movers.(Central Power Products Inc. introduces mobile railcar mover)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Central Power Products Inc. of Grandview, Mo., has introduced the "C" Series Shuttlewagon mobile railcar mover. Designed for in-plant railcar switching operations, the C Series offers a full-width crossover cab, rotating central console for...

Feed bin lids.(Alternative Design Manufacturing & Supply Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Alternative Design Manufacturing & Supply Inc. of Siloam Springs, Ark., introduced Speed Feed, a lid for feed bulk bins that features a pivot hinge design. Using the truck's feed boom, the operator pushes against the lid screen, which rotates...

Dust collectors.(Donaldson Torit introduces Downflo WorkStations)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Donaldson Torit of Minneapolis, Minn., has introduced its new Downflo WorkStations for high-performance dust collection. These versatile, modular, self-contained workstations offer maximum productivity through better performance, longer filter...

Electromechanical actuators.(Duff-Norton Co. introduces electromechanical linear actuator)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Duff Norton of Charlotte, N.C., has introduced its industrial-duty SuperPac series electromechanical linear actuator for load capacities of up to 2 tons in tension and compression. The SuperPac has travel speeds of up to 50 in. per minute and...

Bulk filling systems.(Flexicon Corp. introduces its new Bulk Filling System)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Flexicon Corp. of Bethlehem, Pa., introduced its new Bulk Filling System with High-Lift Drum Dumper, which automatically transfers bulk solid materials from drums to the machine's fill head dust free, fills pails by weight and verifies fill...

Screeners.(Kason Corp. introduces Vibroscreen UltraSanitary Screener)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Kason Corp. of Millburn, N.J., has introduced the new Vibroscreen Ultra-Sanitary Screener, which features gap-free screen frames, quick-release "U" clamps, radius corners, a domed lid, an Air-Lift device to raise the frames, continuous ground...

Batch mixers.(introduced by Munson Machinery Company Inc. )(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Munson Machinery of Utica, N.Y., introduced its new Model 700-TH-50-SS, 50 cu. ft. Sanitary Rotary Batch Mixer, which blends batches of ingredients in parts as small as one per million with 100% uniformity in fewer than three minutes, evacuates...

Polyurethane products.(Tandem Products Inc. introduces firefighter)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Tandem Products Inc. of Blooming Prairie, Minn., has introduced Firefighter, the material handling industry's first product to exhibit flame retardancy. Firefighter will not support or propagate combustion, and it will not drip in "fire...

Gas tube heaters.(from Gas-Fired Products Inc. )(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... Space-Ray of Charlotte, N.C., has introduced a new line of energy-efficient radiant gas tube heaters designed to save fuel and reduce maintenance in the poultry house. The new line of eight Space-Ray CT Series radiant gas tube heaters is...

NTF officers.(Pete Rothfork has been elected chair of the National Turkey Federation)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... LONG BEACH, CAL. -- Pete Rothfork, chief executive officer and president of Melrose Feed Mill Inc. in Melrose, Minn., and CEO and president of Rothfork Associates in Melrose has been elected chair of the National Turkey Federation (NTF). ...

Land O'Lakes brand celebrates 80th year.(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. -- The Land O'Lakes brand was created 80 years ago this year after the Minnesota Cooperative Creameries Assn. conducted a contest for its new, sweet cream butter, members of Land O'Lakes Inc. (LOL) were told at the...

The Andersons considers Albion site for ethanol.(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... MAUMEE, OHIO -- The Andersons Inc. announced Feb. 16 that it is considering its Albion, Mich., grain facility as a possible location for the construction of an ethanol production facility. The 77-acre site, located in rural Sheridan...

2004 dust explosions reported.
March 7, 2005... Dr. Robert W. Schoeff, professor emeritus at Kansas State University, and Mavis Rogers of the Federal Grain Inspection Service have released their annual report that tallies dust explosions in U.S. agriculture facilities. In 2004, there...

Panel to review technologies for managing manure.( )
March 7, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. -- The San Joaquin Valley Dairy Manure Technology Feasibility Assessment Panel, with representatives from government, industry, academia and environmental groups, is seeking information on the environmental and economic...

Australia expects cattle prices to start decline.
March 7, 2005... Cattle producers in Australia can expect to see prices fall over the next year as beef exports from the U.S. and Canada re-enter important Asian markets, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural & Resource Economics (ABARE), the Australian...

Administration seeks to limit call for sanctions.(trade of beef)(Brief Article)
March 7, 2005... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Bush Administration officials last week sought to tone down a call from a prominent member of the House Agriculture Committee for economic sanctions against Japan if that country does not move swiftly to reopen its border to...

Ingredient market.(Illustration)
March 7, 2005... INGREDIENT MARKET The following prices, which include delivery, were obtained last week from feed and grain vendors in the U.S. and Canada. The prices represent current trading values, but are not guaranteed. The second column in the...

Beans on spring weather roller coaster; wheat along for ride.(Grains And Ingredients)
March 7, 2005... If you're a producer trying to decide how many acres of soybeans to plant this spring, the market is sending a signal that it wants your business. The market is on the cusp of looking around the corner to the 2005 U.S. growing season...

Beef markets face hard damage from industry's farthest corners.(Livestock And Poultry)
March 7, 2005... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Ignorance and politics had their way with the cattle markets last week as R-CALF USA and the U.S. Senate took actions that basically declared U.S. beef unsafe and, if they stand, would leave U.S. cattle producers with fewer...

CAFTA ratification nears completion.(Central American Free Trade Agreement)
March 14, 2005... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressional consideration of the hard-fought Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) appears to be nearing as Guatemala ratified the agreement last week--joining Honduras and El Salvador in approving the historic...

Canada steps up beef aid on wave of U.S. decisions.
March 14, 2005... The ink was not even dry on two U.S. judges' decisions to continue import bans on Canadian beef and cattle, or a supporting resolution passed by the U.S. Senate, before political leaders reacted in Canada, promising new support for the...

Egg markets' 'jiggle' may be gone for years.
March 14, 2005... This is not the year to be in egg production as only one other has been worse, and egg producers--with hen houses populated to the roof--will lose lots of money in 2005, based on a new egg profitability series Feedstuffs is introducing this...

Pork industry in Canada looks for relief on duties.
March 14, 2005... Leaders of the Canadian pork industry made it clear that they will be looking to an April 18 final ruling from the U.S. government's quasi judicial International Trade Commission (ITC) for some relief from the 10-18% in import tariffs for...

Negotiators report some progress on tariff question in WTO Kenya meeting.(world view)
March 14, 2005... Senior World Trade Organization trade negotiators reported some progress on the thorny question of agricultural tariffs out of a two-day meeting of 30 governments that wrapped up March 4 in Mombassa, Kenya. Negotiations have been bogged...