01/31/05 I.D. info on the web; Travel for trade

U.S.D.A.'s Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service has announced a new web site. And the purpose of the new site is to provide information about the new National Animal Identification System to producers and the public at large. U.S.D.A. Administrator Ron DeHaven says not only will the site have the latest animal I.D. 4-1-1 from a national perspective, but will also provide producers with contact information for state and tribal health authorities. DeHaven adds that A.P.H.I.S.'s long range goal is adding resources targeted to specific species. Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne will be on the road for part of 2005, heading not one, but two international trade missions on behalf of his state. First up, a road trip in Southeast Asia in May. Stops include Toyko, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, and Taipai. Then in October, Kempthorne and a delegation of various Idaho ag, trade, and business interests will visit Mexico. Today is the final day interested Northwest growers can go to their local Risk Management Agency office and apply for the newly implemented Adjusted Gross Revenue lite crop insurance program. Dave Paul of R.M.A.'s regional office in Spokane says the big news about A.G.R. lite is the flexibility it gives producers in both type of coverage and timeframe, and the compliment it provides existing federal crop insurance programs. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. ALLEN: Forget Donald Trump's reality show The Apprentice for Bill and Melinda Gates leave "the Donald" in the dust with a competition that could change our planet. The world's most creative scientific minds are currently competing for a prize worth a whopping 200 million dollars in The Gates Foundation Grand Challenge in Global Health. Partnering with the National Institute of Health, the Global Health Initiative was developed to entice some of the world brightest who have never engaged in global health research to find viable solutions to world hunger and health problems. The potential exists for these individuals to impact the lives of millions throughout the world, with an emphasis on developing countries. WSU plant researchers have signed on for the challenge, and are working to develop a genetically modified high protein potato. 14 lucky teams will be awarded up to a total of $20 million for a maximum five year period to produce their solution to some of the most pressing issues in global health. Stay tuned, this is one "reality" competition where we all are winners. I'm Susan Allen and this has been Food Forethought.