MODERATOR (Corry Schiermeyer): Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us again. Today we will have, and I'll go through the list of names that we have here in the room that can answer some of your questions – We're not going to start with any opening remarks or anything. I'll go through the list, and then we'll just go directly to questions. So we have Dr. Scott Hurd, USDA deputy under secretary for Food Safety; Dr. Kenneth Petersen, assistant administrator, Office of Field Operations for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service; Bruce Knight, USDA under secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs; Bill Sessions, associate deputy administrator for Livestock and Feed Programs, USDA Ag Marketing Service; Dr. John Clifford, USDA chief veterinarian officer; Eric Steiner, associate administrator for Special Nutrition Programs, USDA Food and Nutrition Service; and Ron Vogel, associate deputy administrator for Special Nutrition Programs, USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

Budget breakdown: How agencies, programs fared

As he had proposed for this year's farm spending, President Bush Monday unveiled another hold-the-line budget for the Agriculture Department for fiscal 2009. Down to the dollar, the president's budget calls for slightly more than $94.7 billion in total agriculture spending for discretionary and mandatory programs in the next fiscal year. That is slightly less, $10 million, than the amount he estimates will be spent this year on USDA programs. Discretionary spending for the Food and Nutrition Service and for commodities and international programs would be increased, while spending for the Forest Service, research, and conservation programs would be cut. Under mandatory outlays, the Agricultural Marketing Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service and crop insurance programs would receive boosts in spending, along with food and nutrition.

Eating Well, Harvard-Style

These days, it's a piece of (low-calorie) cake to find sugar-free, fat-free, or even carb-free foods. Politic-free foods, on the other hand, are not so easy to come by. If you're worried about how food industry lobbyists have corrupted the government's dietary guidelines, fret no more: Harvard has created its own food pyramid! In 2005, the USDA replaced its 1992 food pyramid with a new version, which Walter C. Willett, Frederick John Stare Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition, dubbed “a complete joke." The pyramid's recommendations (heavy on dairy, meat, and grains) are rife with political undertones, according to Jami M. Snyder, Communications Coordinator of Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS). “It's very convenient for the industry," Willett said. “Everyone's in the game." So Willett created his own food pyramid, displayed in Harvard's dining halls and his book “Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy." Willett's design distinguishes between good and bad fats and carbohydrates, less dairy than the government's dietary guidelines, and “sparing" servings of red meat and white bread.

Power, LPG shortages hit life

She said the scholarship amount would be Rs 1,000 per month for 10 months in a year.

Those who were getting scholarships under other general schemes would also be eligible under this scheme. Those who had been sanctioned scholarships in 10+1 would be entitled to get scholarships after getting admission in 10+2, but they would have to again submit their applications. Eligible students would be able to submit their applications up to February 18. She said the application forms could be obtained free of cost from the office of the district welfare officer or the tehsil welfare officer.

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Mighty mutts: Pooches small and large do their best

Rusty, a one-eyed Pomeranian, pulls a dog sled toward the finish line as owner Elizabeth Loudon coaxes him along and Kathie Hansen helps guide the sled on Saturday at an event called the Mutt Pull in Seeley Lake. The event, tied in with the weekend's Seeley Lake Sled Dog Races, was a chance for anyone to bring his or her dog to pull a sled.
Photo by TOM BAUER/Missoulian .

TaylorMade sells Maxfli to retail giant

TaylorMade-Adidas Golf sold its Maxfli and related trademarks to Dick's Sporting Goods in a deal completed Feb. 11. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The sale is a fitting conclusion for a marriage that never lived up to its billing. In 2002, TaylorMade acquired Maxfli and its patent portfolio for urethane balls. The Carlsbad, Calif.-based equipment maker, however, struggled to rejuvenate the venerable, yet tired ball brand. To make matters worse, the inexpensive Maxfli Noodle – while commercially successful – cheapened Maxfli's once-premium reputation.

“Now that we've fully developed the TaylorMade brand as our premium ball franchise, we're committed to growing our business through our Tour Preferred (TP) and Burner families," said Mark King, TaylorMade-Adidas Golf president and CEO.

FDA issues ANPRM to revise mandatory nutrients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) in the Federal Register, Docket No. 2006N-0168, titled Food Labeling: Revision of Reference Values and Mandatory Nutrients.

Call them canapes, antipasto or appetizers

Tomato pesto, crumbled bacon, and chopped toasted nuts are good. Heat in the oven until warm and creamy. If dairy isn't your thing, use beans as the base for dips. Ashton says combine a can of beans (black, pinto or navy are good), a chopped chipotle chile, lime juice and salt in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Alternatively, buy a tub of hummus and doctor it with pesto or tapenade. For another dairy-free option, Sandy Gluck, food editor at Everyday Food magazine, says to puree a small jar of roasted red peppers, a tablespoon of tomato paste, paprika and 1/4 cup toasted almonds.Now, on to the canapes and appetizers, or antipasti, if you prefer. These ideas are from Mary Ann Esposito, host of Public Television's long-running "Ciao Italia" cooking show and author of the recent "Ciao Italia Slow and Easy" cookbook."I like to do an antipasti that is unexpected," she says.

Chocolate: Truth and consequences

Before the Food Guide Pyramid, there were four food groups. The mug I use at work advertises my dietary approach quite clearly: Chocolate-the Fifth Basic Food Group.

I eat chocolate every day, which may come as a surprising confession. Im as happy as other chocolate lovers are to learn that chocolate does have a healthy place in our diet, though sometimes the facts do get stretched to fit that chocolate craving.

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