Farm women face
risks in retirement
PIERRE, S.D. -- A study released recently shows that women face elevated risk in retirement. Women in Farm Economics, a farm-women's advocacy group that's part of the bipartisan coalition Americans for Secure Retirement that released the report, said the study is important for farm women.
"As women and as farmers we face enormous challenges to maintain our standard of living throughout retirement," said Barbara Bonhorst, president of Women in Farm Economics. "This study not only highlights the factors that put women most at risk of declining standards of living in retirement, but it also proposes possible solutions that can help farm women alleviate these risks."
The study reveals that women are at greater risk than men to experience a decrease in living standards in retirement because women -- on average -- live longer than men, are often alone for some duration in retirement, have less time spent in the work force and have less accumulation of employer-based retirement benefits and Social Security.
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The study recommends that policy-makers enact policies to encourage women to plan for longterm economic stability by utilizing retirement vehicles like lifetime annuities, which provide a steady stream of income for life.
Turkey growers
praise Pawlenty's
avian flu plan
ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Turkey Growers Association and the Broiler & Egg Association of Minnesota said in a news release that they're pleased with Gov. Tim Pawlenty's recent initiative to combat the potential development and spread of avian flu in Minnesota.
The governor's plan designates an alliance of state government organizations and others to assist in the coordination and response of a possible outbreak.
"While the poultry industry in Minnesota doesn't believe an avian flu pandemic is necessarily inevitable, we do understand the importance of being as prepared as possible for such an occurrence," said Steve Olson, executive director of The Minnesota Turkey Growers Association and the Broiler & Egg Association of Minnesota.
Minnesota's turkey farmers have a 25-year record of actively looking in their flocks for avian influenza (commonly referred to as "bird flu") through a specially designed surveillance program.
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According to Olson, Minnesota is a nationally recognized leader in avian influenza surveillance, and the industry's expertise was utilized recently to assist in the implementation of a national low pathogenic avian influenza plan.
"Continuous education, monitoring, reporting and swift responses are the keys to controlling avian influenza in poultry flocks in Minnesota," said Olson.
The bottom line for consumers in the U.S., said Olson, is that poultry is completely safe to eat as long as raw product is handled safely and cooked properly. "Avian flu is not a food safety issue."
