tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9342422878279654282012-02-16T03:28:04.212-06:00ALL AG NEWS is a collection of articles for farmers, ranchers and others in agribusiness that rely on agriculture for their livelihood. It is a service of the only ALL FARM radio stations in Texas (900AM KFLP in Floydada-Lubbock, TX and 1310AM KZIP in Amarillo, TX) and is available live via the internet at: mms://stream.amaonline.com/kflpTony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-82587451291824233942009-09-08T23:15:00.001-05:002009-09-08T23:17:40.071-05:00

Growing volumes of U.S. beef are anticipated to begin arriving in the European Union following agreement for a duty-free, high-quality beef quota. An expert with the U.S. Meat Export Federation says a lack of grain-fed beef in the market makes for a big opportunity. Thad Lively, senior vice president of policy, planning and research for USMEF, says the quota might not necessarily mean massive

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-55169445927237697442009-09-08T23:14:00.002-05:002009-09-08T23:15:52.679-05:00

A new high-yielding variety of hard white winter wheat that has shown high yields and overall disease resistance in Colorado has been released to the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation. Snowmass has demonstrated such superior mixing and baking quality characteristics that it was accepted into the CWRF Ultragrain Premium Program with ConAgra Mills.This program will pay producers a premium of 30

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-84248727886582791312009-08-31T15:34:00.001-05:002009-08-31T15:34:30.683-05:00

It’s been learned that USDA officials plan to use their regulatory authority to further tighten farmer eligibility for farm program payments. USDA is expected to make an official announcement as early as next month and give the public an opportunity to provide feedback. This move would deliver on one of President Barack Obama’s campaign pledges.Groups representing growers of southern crops told

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-34486716498315835802009-08-31T15:33:00.001-05:002009-08-31T15:33:59.180-05:00

Growth Energy has announced the launch of a new online resource to help consumers learn more about the - tremendous benefits - of ethanol for America’s environment, economy and national security. The site includes answers to many frequently asked questions about the ethanol industry, as well as retail information.Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis calls - DrivingEthanol.org - a one-stop shop to learn

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-64480758906815863242009-08-31T15:32:00.000-05:002009-08-31T15:33:18.121-05:00

An Iowa State University assessment of climate change legislation concludes that while cap-and-trade legislation - introduces uncertainty,- failing to act now could lead to even more uncertainty, more downside risk and - a much greater technological challenge. AgMRC co-director Don Hofstrand concludes with a pay-me-now or pay-me-more-later warning: - not developing greenhouse gas reduction

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-47061519486088115242009-08-31T15:25:00.000-05:002009-08-31T15:32:32.700-05:00

At the recent “Algae-to-Energy in the South” regional summit held in St. Louis, academic and industry experts from ten states reported on the wide range of algae based research underway around the country. Projects range from improving algae's ability to capture solar energy, to identifying best practices for removing oil from algae. Research touches on every aspect of algae and recognizes the

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-61439172944452784302009-08-31T15:24:00.002-05:002009-08-31T15:25:25.792-05:00

Energy Secretary Steven Chu says 25 cost-share projects have been selected to receive total funding of 300-million dollars under the Clean Cities program. These projects will speed the transformation of the nation’s vehicle fleet, putting more than 9-thousand alternative fuel and energy efficient vehicles on the road, and establishing 542 refueling locations across the country. The Department of

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-66582689174689722342009-08-31T15:24:00.001-05:002009-08-31T15:24:55.937-05:00

USDA has issued an estimate of 12 to 22-dollars per acre of cropland and 7 to 14-dollars an acre of pastureland as the ranges that the Natural Resources Conservation Service might issue annually to those who contract to participate in the new Conservation Stewardship Program. CSP sign-up is open now through September 30th, with the program’s interim-final-rule public-comment period open until

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-5400033048581858142009-08-31T15:22:00.000-05:002009-08-31T15:24:07.861-05:00

The Office of Management and Budget has released the Mid-Session Review, updating the Administration’s economic forecast. The report shows a smaller 2009 deficit but larger out-year deficits than previously projected. The expectation is for a 262-billion dollar improvement in the projected 2009 deficit, now projected to be 1.58 trillion – or 11.2 percent of GDP.Certain spending programs, such as

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-45491574474335604272009-08-26T18:00:00.000-05:002009-08-26T18:01:30.472-05:00

A Smithfield Foods Inc. subsidiary will lay off 117 workers at it's Dalhart, Texas hog farm. The layoffs will begin by mid-October and fewer than 25 employees of the company's Premium Standard Farms LLC unit will continue to work at the site in Dallam County. The layoffs, effective Oct. 16, will be permanent.In other Smithfield news, GE Capital said Monday that it had provided $150 million for

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-59387140662837847252009-08-26T17:59:00.000-05:002009-08-26T18:01:16.479-05:00

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke with All Ag, All Day on Monday afternoon about the Obama Administration's proposed Climate Change legislation. Vilsack said he believes the analysis demonstrates the economic opportunity for farmers and ranchers can significantly outpace for climate legislation. In the short-term he said, the economic benefits will likely outweigh the costs and in

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-33082021086650226572009-08-26T17:58:00.001-05:002009-08-26T17:58:41.176-05:00

The Natural Resources Defense Council reports that drinking water containing the herbicide – atrazine - could pose a greater public health risk than previously thought because regular municipal monitoring doesn't detect frequent spikes in the chemical's levels. The NRDC says the missed spikes likely occur after rain and springtime application of the herbicide. Scientists with atrazine

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-77228838673137667172009-08-26T17:57:00.002-05:002009-08-26T17:58:05.802-05:00

Leaders from academia and the beef industry are announcing the formation of an independent advisory group to focus on beef cattle health and well-being. The North American Food Animal Well-being Commission for Beef - which includes world-renowned experts in animal well-being—will advocate for increased research funding for animal well-being, facilitate the communication of research results in a

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-44421242416010234972009-08-26T17:57:00.001-05:002009-08-26T17:57:27.282-05:00

Chickpeas, high in protein, fiber and other nutrients, are important legume crops the world over. But the crop suffers from the larval stage of the beet armyworm moth which likes to eat the crop's leaves. New lines of resistant chickpeas called “CRIL-7” have been developed by Agricultural Research Service scientists and their collaborators. Thid development could put the kibosh on this

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-3713672929457041802009-08-25T17:51:00.001-05:002009-08-25T17:51:46.846-05:00

Researchers say they now have the first hard evidence of what is happening physiologically inside bees during Colony Collapse Disorder. Using a tool called a genome-wide microarray, researchers at the Agricultural Research Service and University of Illinois found a large amount of abnormal ribosomal RNA (rRNA) fragments in the guts of honey bees in CCD colonies. Ribosomes are the cellular

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-32431543424880814032009-08-25T17:50:00.000-05:002009-08-25T17:51:14.897-05:00

The American Petroleum Industry has released a report on how implementation of the Waxman-Markey bill would affect domestic fuel production. The report projects that by 2030, U.S. refining production could drop 17% from today's levels if the climate bill is passed as currently proposed. The study says the drop would have to be made up by foreign imports, meaning the U.S. could end up relying on

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-24773118994538739212009-08-24T16:37:00.000-05:002009-08-24T16:38:26.533-05:00

The chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Gary Gensler, has some changes he would like to see made in the Obama administration’s proposed changes in regulating the complex financial instruments blamed for hastening the global economic crisis. Gensler has urged changing the measure to eliminate exemptions from new requirements for foreign-currency swaps and small firms dealing in

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-16831762254655446372009-08-24T16:36:00.000-05:002009-08-24T16:37:27.787-05:00

The Fertilizer Institute has released a report it hopes will influence the U.S. Senate as it considers climate change legislation. TFI President Ford West said, - we urge the Senate to review this report with an eye toward potential valuable job losses among the domestic fertilizer industry that could take place if, as we anticipate, climate change legislation leads to higher energy prices.The

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-2777650891960169122009-08-24T16:35:00.000-05:002009-08-24T16:36:17.089-05:00

As he wrapped up his trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, on Monday, President Obama seemingly put immigration on the back burner, saying – efforts to change the immigration system would have to wait until next year. He wants to focus on health care reform, energy legislation and financial regulatory changes. Still, the President indicated his administration will begin working on a comprehensive overhaul

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-86671779728032289482009-08-24T16:34:00.000-05:002009-08-24T16:35:11.056-05:00

The Government Accountability Office reports that supermarket prices for food have climbed by 128-percent since 1982. That’s four times the increase in crop prices for farmers. The GAO report found that during the time period - farmers have generally received higher monthly prices for their commodities - but these prices have increased less than food prices and inflation in the broader

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-64480355396111108152009-08-24T16:32:00.000-05:002009-08-24T16:34:01.495-05:00

After going up for 21 consecutive years - farmland prices dropped this year. Experts say this trend is reflective of the recession. At the start of 2009 - the value of all land and buildings on farms averaged 21-hundred dollars an acre - down 3.2-percent from a year earlier. In its annual report - USDA said prices in Corn Belt states fell 2.2-percent to $3,620 an acre. In Montana - they plunged

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-84863418579106472192009-08-24T16:31:00.001-05:002009-08-24T16:31:56.450-05:00

WorldAutoSteel released a study Tuesday that shows cellulosic E85 is the best fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to other alternatives like hybrid technology or fuel cells. Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis says the report reinforces the promise of ethanol as the cleanest, greenest fuel for cars. Unfortunately - he notes - a government cap on the amount of ethanol that can be blended with

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-74330931719453872312009-08-24T14:43:00.000-05:002009-08-24T16:30:27.225-05:00

North Dakota Senator Kent Conrad told those attending the 26th International Sweetener Symposium in Park City, Utah, that the farm safety net was not a problem in setting federal spending. The Chairman of the Budget Committee said the 2008 Farm Bill already included steep cuts for agriculture. Plus - he said agriculture is not the big problem.Instead - he suggests the problem areas include Social

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-6405631325721704882009-07-30T21:15:00.000-05:002009-07-30T21:16:09.343-05:00

The U.S. House of Representatives passed sweeping changes to the nation's food safety system late Thursday afternoon by a vote of 283-142. The vote came one day after Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), Ranking Member on the House Ag Committee, led a charge to defeat the measure. Wednesday afternoon, H.R. 2479, the Food Safety Enhancement act of 2009, failed to win passage by the U.S. House of

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-63951954617381844852009-07-30T21:13:00.000-05:002009-07-30T21:14:13.740-05:00

Legislation has been introduced that would make it easier for farms and small-business owners to invest in wind energy. The Wind Energy Promotion Act - introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and fellow Minnesota Representative Tim Walz - would expand the eligibility of those who can receive benefits from the Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit. This legislation

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-9736698787890007522009-07-30T21:12:00.000-05:002009-07-30T21:13:19.659-05:00

Once a robust market for U.S. sorghum - the U.S. Grains Council says Mexico is back. During the past three months - Mexico has purchased 22-million dollars worth of U.S. sorghum. U.S. Grains Council Senior Director Chris Corry says these sales would not have happened without the investments of Council members.Starting in April - special funding from the Council’s sorghum members allowed a series

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-67998623044267577422009-07-30T21:11:00.002-05:002009-07-30T21:12:14.505-05:00

Agricultural Research Service scientists have developed a new yeast that makes ethanol from both five-carbon and six-carbon sugars without needing oxygen. ARS molecular biologist Stephen Hughes developed the strain to grow on xylose - a five-carbon plant sugar. Hughes works at the ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Illinois.Producers already make grain ethanol by

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-79415365366323777222009-07-30T21:11:00.001-05:002009-07-30T21:11:44.440-05:00

A coalition of eight U.S. Senators have signed a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in which they question if several new rules of the Livestock Indemnity Program will actually help farmers and ranchers if their herds incur losses from harsh weather. The letter was sent by Senators Chuck Grassley, Tom Harkin, Mike Johanns, Ben Nelson, Pat Roberts, Sam Brownback, Tim Johnson and John

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-78093012815076580902009-07-30T21:10:00.003-05:002009-07-31T11:18:46.073-05:00

Cheatgrass is a real problem. Especially in the vast rangelands of the American West. Cheatgrass is a weedy invader that looks something like a scraggly wheat plant. This fast-growing intruder crowds out native plants that cattle or wildlife could otherwise eat. And, because it burns hot and fast, cheatgrass boosts the wildfire hazard.ARS researchers at the Exotic and Invasive Weeds Research Unit

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-89155795678006530192009-07-30T21:10:00.001-05:002009-07-30T21:10:44.490-05:00

Scientists continue to prove that you can turn almost anything into an energy source. Researchers at the University of Nevada in Reno have developed a new and environmentally friendly process for developing biodiesel from commercial feather meal. Based on the amount of feather meal produced by the poultry industry, it is estimated the process could create up to 200 million gallons of biodiesel in

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-37824392720398878272009-07-30T21:09:00.001-05:002009-07-30T21:10:05.633-05:00

The riff over the Administration’s stance on the tariff on Brazilian ethanol may have come to an end. In a statement, the Obama administration says it has no plans to change the current policy. The policy came into question when Thomas Shannon, the President’s nominee for Ambassador to Brazil, called removal of the tariff - beneficial. The Administration says - it has no plans to change it. The

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-28709475981765643572009-07-14T17:49:00.003-05:002009-07-14T17:51:34.201-05:00

The monthly World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report has been released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its’ World Agriculture Outlook Board. The report utilized information from the National Agricultural Statistics Service.*WHEAT*The Department raised U.S. wheat supplies for 2009/10 as higher area and yields add 96 million bushels to forecast production. Feed and residual

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-2507608065319139582009-07-14T17:49:00.001-05:002009-07-14T17:49:47.588-05:00

Cooperatives Working Together has announced details of its second herd reduction program this year aimed at reducing milk production and boosting prices. CWT spokesman Jim Tillison says the organization will – accept as many bids as we can get - at 5.25 per hundredweight or below. The reduction is limited to the program’s available budget, which has not been announced. The deadline for bids is

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-62836149485497544282009-07-14T17:47:00.002-05:002009-07-14T17:48:58.266-05:00

Last Wednesday - Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that starting in September - President Obama will require federal contractors to confirm the identities of four-million workers against federal databases. As for the 2007 rule that would have sent Social Security no-match letters to 140-thousand employers - warning them to fix discrepancies or fire suspect workers within 90

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-41626424279143690012009-07-14T17:47:00.001-05:002009-07-14T17:47:46.968-05:00

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced Jonathan Coppess Thursday as Administrator for the Farm Service Agency. Coppess previously worked for U.S. Senator Ben Nelson as his Legislative Assistant for Agriculture, Energy and Environmental policy. Secretary Vilsack says Coppess brings a wealth of agricultural policy experience to USDA’s leadership team - and his farm background will be

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-80183831897615170432009-07-14T17:45:00.000-05:002009-07-14T17:46:45.896-05:00

Former Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns says farmers deserve answers on the costs of cap and trade. The Nebraska GOP Senator says farmers and ranchers across the country are concerned about how the House cap and trade bill will impact them. He says Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack should provide the Senate and America's farmers with an answer to one simple question - how much does USDA estimate

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-45771040028373192382009-07-14T17:44:00.000-05:002009-07-14T17:45:51.623-05:00

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced details of a new livestock Indemnity Program which will provide livestock producers with a vital safety net to help them overcome the damaging financial impact of natural disaster. Ranchers and livestock producers can begin applying for benefits under the provisions of the Livestock Indemnity Program in the 2008 Farm Bill.Using funds from the

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-24920256020679651062009-07-14T17:43:00.002-05:002009-07-14T17:44:43.143-05:00

The European Commission is proposing to impose anti-dumping duties on U.S. biodiesel imports. The proposal has been adopted by the 27-country bloc's finance ministers at a meeting in Brussels. The Commission suspects U.S. biodiesel is heavily subsidized. The duties will come into force by July 12 and range from 23 Euros to 41 Euros per 100 kilograms or about 160 pounds. The duties would last for

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-1216135540410335322009-07-14T17:43:00.001-05:002009-07-14T17:43:48.102-05:00

New funding secured by Kansas Senator Sam Brownback in appropriations legislation will provide new breakthroughs in sorghum research that will deliver better supply and demand modeling, new uses and agronomic solutions to producers' fields. That's according to National Sorghum Producers Board member Ken Georg. He says the one-million dollars in funding secured for the Great Plains Sorghum

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-33125798766875990232009-07-14T17:42:00.002-05:002009-07-14T17:43:21.459-05:00

In its Fertilizer Outlook for 2009 through 2013, the International Fertilizer Industry Association suggests that, after the sudden fall in demand during the 2008/2009 fertilizer campaign, a rebound may be expected for the following year. IFA believes the improvement will be realized because of - stable growth trends that have been experienced so far in the agricultural sector. Agricultural

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-64107461634754827782009-07-14T17:42:00.001-05:002009-07-14T17:42:41.985-05:00

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced initial allocations under USDA's Dairy Export Incentive Program for the year beginning July 1, 2009. The program helps U.S. dairy exporters meet prevailing world prices and encourages the development of international export markets in areas where U.S. dairy products are not competitive due to subsidized dairy products from other countries.Under U.S.

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-89766962016948155122009-07-14T17:40:00.000-05:002009-07-14T17:42:14.930-05:00

The National Corn Growers Association’s popular National Corn Yield Contest is underway. The final deadline for entries is August 1.State and national corn yield contest winners will receive national recognition in publications, such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide and at the National Awards Banquet and State Awards Breakfast at the 2010 Commodity Classic in Anaheim, Californina. More importantly,

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-51298891347532496332009-07-14T17:39:00.002-05:002009-07-14T17:40:42.621-05:00

Lawmakers in Ohio aren’t the only ones taking a proactive approach to livestock care standards. Michigan State Representatives Mike Simpson and Jeff Mayes introduced a group of bills last month to standardize livestock care requirements by establishing the Department of Agriculture and Agriculture Commission as the sole authority in regulation of livestock health; implementing science-based

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-62317448518805050482009-07-14T17:39:00.001-05:002009-07-14T17:39:52.429-05:00

The Environmental Protection Agency gave California permission Tuesday to pursue more stringent air pollution rules than required by the federal government - clearing the way to implement a state pollution law requiring new cars to increase their fuel economy to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016 - which is what President Obama would like to see happen. Governors and officials from many states ready

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-28952252861960145622009-07-14T16:56:00.000-05:002009-07-14T17:39:01.680-05:00

The Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service says USDA has nearly completed work on the economic analysis and rules for the new Conservation Stewardship Program. According to Dave White - USDA plans to deliver proposed rules to the Office of Management and Budget yet this week. He’s hopeful sign up for fiscal ’09 will begin in August or September - with field verification done in

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-28741458462056055972009-07-14T16:54:00.000-05:002009-07-14T16:56:06.318-05:00

Rangeland Ecologist Matt Rinella at the Agricultural Research Service Lab in Miles City, Montana has conducted a 16-year study that shows it may not always help for ranchers to use herbicides to kill invasive weeds like leafy spurge. In fact - it may actually cause the weeds to increase. Even though the herbicide would have dissipated within a few years - it seemed to have long-term effects and

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-48300127954334736172009-07-02T10:12:00.000-05:002009-07-02T10:13:15.076-05:00

Though President Obama said Sunday that the House took an extraordinary first step by passing a climate bill on Friday - he’s hopeful Congress will remove a clause that would impose a tariff in 2020 on imports from countries without systems for pricing or limiting carbon dioxide emissions. Obama says the nation has to be very careful about sending protectionist signals right now - when the

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-40377267970969049412009-07-02T10:11:00.000-05:002009-07-02T10:12:31.292-05:00

Congressman Sam Graves of Missouri has reintroduced legislation to streamline the approval process for energy related projects - including ethanol plants and wind farms - that would increase the nation’s domestic energy supply, create jobs and help alleviate the high energy prices people are facing. The legislation would require federal agencies to expedite their review of permits and take other

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-14055029938097941352009-07-02T10:10:00.000-05:002009-07-02T10:11:48.520-05:00

New research from USDA Ag Research Service scientists focuses on the relationship between compounds and a disease that affects grazing animals and costs the cattle industry nearly 600-million dollars a year. Tall fescue - a main forage grass in many states - can cause Fescue Toxicosis in cattle if it’s infected with endophytic fungus. The disease causes lameness and reduces production efficiency

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-38500361556195922042009-07-02T09:49:00.000-05:002009-07-02T10:08:20.107-05:00

R-CALF USA recently sent a letter to the Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture Rosa DeLauro expressing its appreciation for her decision to hold back further funding for the National Animal Identification System until USDA finishes its listening sessions. R-CALF USA states in its letter that the U.S. needs to create a national strategy to improve livestock disease

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-71901790321904649442009-06-26T18:12:00.003-05:002009-06-26T18:19:53.464-05:00

The U.S. House of Representatives passed sweeping Global Climate Change legislation late on Friday afternoon by a vote of 219-212.The National Farmers Union was behind the package’s passage. NFU President Roger Johnson said a strong offset program and the recognition of early actors will ensure America’s farmers and ranchers can be a part of the climate change solution. But the American Farm

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-18710168795677488432009-06-26T08:30:00.000-05:002009-06-26T08:31:30.191-05:00

Representatives for the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Farmers Union all testified before a House Ag Subcommittee Wednesday to review the implementation of the 2008 Farm Bill. Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman told lawmakers it’s time to implement the bill and outlined several

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-26182849646248901312009-06-26T08:29:00.000-05:002009-06-26T08:30:26.813-05:00

A proposed state constitutional amendment in Ohio is directed at the ballot initiative put forth in that state by the Humane Society of the United States. The amendment would establish a 13-member Livestock Care Standards Board. The board would be charged with developing and enforcing guidelines for livestock and poultry care. Joint resolutions proposed late last week in the House and Senate -

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-66970916276132031282009-06-26T08:27:00.000-05:002009-06-26T08:29:25.198-05:00

The Department of Homeland Security made a last-minute decision to uproot its Plum Island foot-and-mouth disease research facility off the coast of New York and move it to Manhattan, Kansas on January 12th. The Department asked for public comments on its proposal - but made its decision before the public comment period had closed. And when the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-62525615807842205252009-06-26T08:26:00.000-05:002009-06-26T08:27:44.873-05:00

A year-long bipartisan Senate probe shows excessive speculation in the wheat market helped fuel last year's record jump in prices. According to the report - large wheat purchase on the Chicago Board of Trade drove future prices higher, disrupted convergence between futures and cash prices and increased costs for farmers, the grain industry and consumers. The study was released by Carl Levin -

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-59737371203163527192009-06-26T08:25:00.000-05:002009-06-26T08:26:08.512-05:00

Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service Sunflower Research Unit in Fargo, North Dakota are looking for sunflowers that resist insects and two types of fungi using state-of-the-art equipment. SRU scientists - with researchers around the world - have found new sources of resistance to yield-reducing pests. One geneticist has found unique genes that form the basis for new sunflower breeding

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-92050569946549564612009-06-23T13:31:00.001-05:002009-06-23T13:31:35.081-05:00

The Congressional Budget Office has added some fuel to the fire when it comes to the debate over the climate change bill moving in the U.S. House. The CBO reports the legislation would cost U.S. households an average of 175-dollars a year in 2020. While that undercuts frequent Republican claims that the bill would cost households as much as 31-hundred dollars a year. But according to Frank Lucas

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-57429400590272194882009-06-23T13:30:00.002-05:002009-06-23T13:31:04.825-05:00

As the United States changed administrations - the pace of the Doha Round of trade talks slowed to a crawl. But - it appears they are now picking up steam - as several key WTO members - including India and the U.S. - have expressed a desire to return to full-scale negotiations. David Walker - the Chairperson of the negotiating group on agriculture - has announced that agriculture negotiations

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-86469250630178170162009-06-23T13:30:00.001-05:002009-06-23T13:30:38.266-05:00

USDA will release its planted acreage report next Tuesday (June 30). Seeing a fairly big switch from corn to soybean acres this spring - Informa Economics is estimating planted corn acreage will be 83.1-million - 1.9-million less than USDA's current estimate - and 800-thousand below Informa's May estimate. For soybeans - Informa's 78.8-million acre estimate is up 500-thousand acres from the May

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-84591576844378262572009-06-23T13:28:00.000-05:002009-06-23T13:29:59.611-05:00

E. coli 0157 has been linked to Nestlé’s refrigerated cookie dough - and scientists are trying to figure out how the bacteria could have ended up in a product that seems unlikely to contain it. Nestlé USA Vice President Laurie MacDonald says the company recalled all its refrigerated cookie dough products - about 300-thousand cases - within 24 hours of being notified of the suspected problem by

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-42480646003498484962009-06-23T13:27:00.002-05:002009-06-23T13:28:34.949-05:00

The Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee - Frank Lucas - notes the National Pork Producers Council is just one of the latest agriculture groups publicly expressing opposition to the Waxman-Markey legislation. He says the list of ag groups opposed to the climate change bill has grown from 23 to 115 in just a month's time. He says it's clear the ag community doesn't believe this bill is in the

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-25801044895648103922009-06-23T13:27:00.001-05:002009-06-23T13:27:49.149-05:00

Shortly after the Clean Water Act was passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last Thursday (June 18) - Senator Mike Crapo placed a “hold” on the bill. Crapo voted against the bill in committee and has now said he plans to use every tool and privilege afforded to slow - if not stop - the bill.The legislation would allow the U.S. government to regulate virtually all

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-22329761823115353062009-06-23T13:26:00.000-05:002009-06-23T13:27:03.165-05:00

The producer supported Producer Retirement Program - which was designed to reduce the U.S. sow herd - has stalled. According to Chuck Wirtz - Chairman of the Board of Directors of PRP - most producers with sows are no longer in a financial position to support the program - which was set to begin June 17th.The PRP was designed to supplement the cull price that the members would otherwise receive

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-79361717736989776982009-06-23T13:25:00.000-05:002009-06-23T13:26:01.020-05:00

The Senate Energy Committee voted 15 to 8 to approve draft comprehensive energy legislation Wednesday. Four Republicans - including the Ranking Member - supported the measure - while two Democrats opposed it. The measure would mandate a sharp increase in electricity generated from renewable sources, open new areas of the Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling and make it easier to site power

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-5724829525563168522009-06-23T13:24:00.000-05:002009-06-23T13:25:01.934-05:00

JBS SA - the world's biggest beef processor - and others are under investigation by Brazil's federal prosecutor's office in a widespread corruption case. Several meatpackers and leather and hide companies are part of the investigation - which began about a year ago. The public relations department of Brazil’s federal prosecutor's office released a statement saying several people were being

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-68845556606722868992009-06-18T08:53:00.000-05:002009-06-18T08:54:00.570-05:00

The Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee Saxby Chambliss and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar introduced the Food Safety Rapid Response Act of 2009 Tuesday. The bill - which complements the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 introduced in March - calls for an increase in participation of public health and food regulatory agencies and laboratories to share findings and develop a centralized

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-58815023990216802009-06-18T08:52:00.000-05:002009-06-18T08:53:10.082-05:00

The Growth Enhancement Technology Information Team - or GET IT - is launching a marketing campaign trumpeting the economic and environmental benefits of conventional beef production over those of grass-only or natural beef production systems. GET IT is made up of animal-health manufacturing executives who say the program will provide beef producers with facts about the eco-friendly and economical

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-32688209951558035542009-06-18T08:51:00.000-05:002009-06-18T08:52:08.902-05:00

The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition announced at the 2009 Fuel Ethanol Workshop that it plans to join forces with Growth Energy and become Growth Energy Market Development. NEVC is the second ethanol association to join Growth Energy. This will help the coalition continue its 13-year task to increase availability of higher ethanol blends and flex fuel vehicles. Co-Chairman of Growth Energy -

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-11498352465447122742009-06-18T08:50:00.000-05:002009-06-18T08:51:27.324-05:00

The Livestock Marketing Association’s 46th Annual World Livestock Auctioneer Championship took place Saturday, June 13th at the Fergus Falls Livestock Auction Market in Minnesota. The WLAC - an actual sale where contestants are scored on vocal clarity, talent at keeping the sale going and bid-catching ability - is held every year to spotlight competitive livestock marketing and the auctioneer’s

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-29417088916929755812009-06-17T10:02:00.001-05:002009-06-17T10:02:51.011-05:00

A 2007 survey of Oklahoma livestock markets - conducted by Oklahoma State University - revealed that only 11.9-percent of the calves sold through the surveyed markets were considered preconditioned - or value-added. And because of the economy - many market watchers believe cow/calf producers face stagnant to lower markets this fall and potentially slimmer profit margins. So - they say having

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-42137873939304810732009-06-15T17:21:00.000-05:002009-06-15T17:22:56.567-05:00

The American Meat Institute released a new Economic Impact Study Friday that shows the nation’s meat and poultry industry contributes roughly 832-billion dollars - nearly six-percent of total Gross Domestic Product - to the U.S. economy along with nearly 6.2-million jobs and 200-billion dollars in wages and benefits.President and CEO of AMI J. Patrick Boyle says companies and individuals in

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-83733304585637784382009-06-15T09:27:00.000-05:002009-06-15T17:21:35.354-05:00

It’s been no secret that Rosa DeLauro - the Chairman of the House Appropriations Ag Subcommittee - wants a mandatory National Animal Identification System. And this week - she emphasized that message - telling USDA and the livestock industry to agree to a mandatory program or the program will be zeroed out in the 2010 fiscal year budget. The program has already been reduced to zero in the Ag

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-52277681761183983372009-06-14T21:22:00.000-05:002009-06-14T21:23:09.554-05:00

National Corn Growers Association President Bob Dickey says the producers of the new documentary Food Inc. don’t like the steps government, the food industry and commodity groups like NCGA have taken to keep food prices low and help feed the world’s hungry. But instead of offering a workable solution - he says they suggest more outdated practices that will reduce yield and drive up costs -

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-61057349185966152082009-06-14T21:21:00.004-05:002009-06-14T21:22:31.708-05:00

The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Data Analysis has released an economic study regarding the impact a cap-and-trade system would have on the agriculture community. The study maintains that cap-and-trade is - an energy tax in disguise - that will cause farm income to drop dramatically because of higher operating costs. It further argues that people living on fixed incomes and struggling in

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-49596808011732443832009-06-14T21:21:00.003-05:002009-06-14T21:21:45.845-05:00

The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing on Wednesday to review USDA’s rural development programs and the status of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for these programs. Subcommittee Ranking Member Michael Conaway said - testimony highlighted several critical barriers to getting funding to where it is

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-79238520147518117012009-06-14T21:21:00.001-05:002009-06-14T21:21:21.207-05:00

Neurophathic Hydrocephalus is a lethal genetic defect that affects Angus and Angus-influenced cattle. Calves carrying two recessive genes—resulting from the mating of two carrier animals—are born dead with an extremely large cranium with little or no brain matter or spinal cord. A large percentage of mortalities relating to NH occur through embryonic or fetal loss during gestation, which causes

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-20692047798002548172009-06-09T18:29:00.001-05:002009-06-09T18:29:31.894-05:00

The dairy farmer-owners of Associated Milk Producers Incorporated are getting a financial boost. Payments, normally mailed out in December, are being mailed ahead of schedule to help dairy farmers weather difficult economic times. Members are receiving 2.1-million dollars in past earnings from the cooperative.Rice Lake, Wisconsin Dairy Farmer and AMPI chairman Paul Toft announced the board’s vote

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-79073347908055569182009-06-09T18:28:00.002-05:002009-06-09T18:29:04.778-05:00

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says passing a comprehensive immigration bill this session is one of his top priorities. His other two priorities are health care and energy. Reid’s comments seemed to give new life to the immigration issue. But, Congress and the White House are preoccupied with a packed legislative calendar and immigration reform looks unlikely to pass this year.Senator Charles

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-87427198016300440512009-06-09T18:28:00.001-05:002009-06-09T18:28:33.369-05:00

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has signed a Secretarial Order establishing an Office of Youth in Natural Resources at the Department of the Interior. The office will coordinate present and future youth initiatives, the signature program of which will be a 21st Century Youth Conservation Corps. The corps will be modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps that provided 3-million men with

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-79804202925899439222009-06-09T18:27:00.002-05:002009-06-09T18:28:09.169-05:00

Early last week President Obama asked Congress for authority to spend up to an additional 9-billion dollars for an H1N1 flu vaccine. 3-billion of those funds would come from the Project BioShield Special Reserve Fund. The leaders of a bipartisan commission on weapons of mass destruction say the action would - weaken the nation's preparedness for terrorism.In a letter to the President, the

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-34460005298154615492009-06-09T18:27:00.001-05:002009-06-09T18:27:44.903-05:00

In May 2007, the American Veal Association’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt a resolution calling for all U.S. veal farms to transition to group housing systems by December 31, 2017. A survey of the veal industry conducted in April 2009 found that 34.8 percent of veal calves currently going to market are raised in group housing. The AVA calls this progress - ahead of schedule.Dr.

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-28867480057979385292009-06-08T17:39:00.001-05:002009-06-08T17:39:54.481-05:00

Leading Ag Economist Glenn Grimes gave pork producers at World Pork Expo an update on pork production economics - saying hog producers face at least another year of financial loses. He says the hog industry needs a cutback of five to ten-percent in the country’s sow herd to boost hog prices. Grimes told producers they aren’t getting the hog price increase they normally do this time of year -

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-3452456760160011682009-06-08T17:38:00.002-05:002009-06-08T17:39:22.160-05:00

An independent group of U.S. hog producers has organized a sow buyout program aimed at helping producers get out of the hog business. This move is said to be in response to low hog prices and high production costs. The program will begin taking bids by June 15th.The group’s chairman is Chuck Wirtz, a producer from Whittemore, Iowa. Wirtz says producers will pay 20 dollars per sow they own to join

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-36615055616425721882009-06-08T17:38:00.001-05:002009-06-08T17:38:44.481-05:00

In a written editorial, House Ranking Member Frank Lucas has addressed the Waxman-Markey bill (H.R. 2454), or the Cap & Trade Bill. In his document Lucas emphasized the devastating economic impact this legislation will have on production agriculture and rural economies. From higher energy costs to lost jobs to higher food prices, cap-and-trade, Lucas said, - promises to cap our incomes, our

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-7096596160916187212009-06-08T17:37:00.000-05:002009-06-08T17:38:11.772-05:00

Worldwatch Institute has co-published a report that shows innovations in food production and land use, if scaled up now, could reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to roughly 25 percent of global fossil fuel emissions. Co-published by Ecoagriculture Partners, the report suggests that as the price of carbon rises with new caps on emissions and expanding markets for carbon offsets, the

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-40702458915701593322009-06-04T07:42:00.001-05:002009-06-04T07:42:45.244-05:00

The seed planted by the Humane Society of the United States in California last November is growing several new offshoots. Since voters approved Proposition 2 in November - several measures have moved quickly from one chamber to the other. Others are now working through committees. In fact - the California Senate Appropriations Committee has now approved legislation that would limit the use of

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-41970351481876376082009-06-04T07:41:00.000-05:002009-06-04T07:42:00.098-05:00

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk travels to Russia today (June 3rd) for his first meeting with senior government officials from Moscow. Kirk will participate in a dialogue with U.S. and Russian business leaders to discuss deepening U.S. and Russia commercial ties. Kirk will also meet with senior officials to discuss bilateral trade issues - including Russia’s continued bans on U.S. pork, beef

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-10854169494439897742009-06-04T07:40:00.002-05:002009-06-04T07:41:21.458-05:00

Before traveling to Indiana for another rural community forum - U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Illinois - where he urged nearly 200 people to embrace the proposal to cap carbon emissions for its potential opportunities. That’s despite fears the plan will drive up costs. Vilsack says he understands the skepticism – but believes farmers might find they can make money if they’re compensated

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-21171167228955405652009-06-04T07:40:00.001-05:002009-06-04T07:40:36.699-05:00

Speaking of cap and trade - National Farmers Union – along with the National Corn Growers Association, the National Milk Producers Federation and others – urged House leadership to address the beneficial role ag can play in climate change legislation. The organizations sent a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer Tuesday stating that improvements to the

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-45147035903616066622009-06-04T07:39:00.000-05:002009-06-04T07:40:00.874-05:00

The 5th Annual Biofuels Financial Conference - in Minneapolis, Minnesota June 24th through 25th – will focus on the financial challenges and opportunities for the biofuels industry. The question - what is the ethanol industry’s financial future - will be asked and answered by three U.S. ethanol organizations. Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis, Executive Director of the American Coalition for Ethanol

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-41545777774779531612009-06-01T16:58:00.000-05:002009-06-01T16:59:02.777-05:00

Congress is back in Washington for a four-week session. Democratic leaders will continue pushing ahead on sweeping global warming and health care legislation - but not before they quickly progress toward writing the 12 regular appropriations bills - negating the need for an omnibus spending bill for the first time since 2005. Asked about the chances of avoiding an omnibus bill - North Dakota

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-73038938625482625252009-06-01T16:57:00.002-05:002009-06-01T16:58:32.311-05:00

According to the Associated Press – the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has adopted a resolution raising cattle age limits related to preventing BSE in international beef trade. Beef exports and imports previously were restricted to boneless beef from cattle younger than 30-months of age. Now exports and imports would be allowed for boneless beef from cattle of all ages. This change is

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-36359919951945532722009-06-01T16:57:00.001-05:002009-06-01T16:57:50.183-05:00

Nebraska’s tuberculosis-free designation from USDA is in jeopardy - as a beef herd in the Rock County area has tested positive for bovine tuberculosis. The herd has been quarantined and state and federal officials are trying to stem the spread of the disease. They also want to trace back to determine how the disease was introduced to the herd.Nebraska Cattlemen Executive Vice President Michael

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-52886563306931986512009-06-01T16:56:00.000-05:002009-06-01T16:57:11.849-05:00

According to a study released by the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute - increasing the amount of ethanol blended into the gasoline supply to 15-percent would have a minimal impact on ethanol, corn and food prices. In fact - the University of Missouri think tank says U.S. corn and fuel ethanol prices would rise by just four-cents each if the blend rate is increased. As for feed

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-19545245205493381742009-06-01T16:53:00.000-05:002009-06-01T16:56:03.006-05:00

The fate of a former Senate Ag Committee member is now in the hands of the courts - as the battle for the contested U.S. Senate Seat from Minnesota continues. Lawyers for Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken made their cases before the Minnesota Supreme Court Monday. Coleman’s attorney is challenging a trial court decision that named Franken the winner by 312 votes out of 2.9-million

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-10577732631497939212009-06-01T16:18:00.000-05:002009-06-01T16:53:55.408-05:00

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced that two companies - one in Illinois and another in Idaho - have issued beef recalls. Holten Meat Incorporated - based in Sauget, Illinois - has recalled about 241-thousand pounds of ground beef product that may contain foreign materials. XL Four Star Beef, Incorporated in Nampa, Idaho has recalled about 14,500 pounds of beef primal and

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-19234899839079047932009-05-29T16:45:00.001-05:002009-05-29T16:45:55.236-05:00

American Meat Institute Executive Vice President James Hodges recently testified before the Canadian House of Commons Subcommittee on Food Safety saying the meat and poultry industry has made great food safety progress in recent years and continues to do so. Hodges told the subcommittee that illnesses related to consumption of meat and poultry have declined - about one-billion meals being

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-77185729470976565372009-05-29T16:44:00.002-05:002009-05-29T16:45:11.866-05:00

To gain a better understanding of the U.S. swine production system - Chinese swine industry professionals are in the U.S. for training courses, seminars and farm consultations. The U.S. Grains Council is sponsoring the team. According to USGC Technical Program Manager in China Jason Yan - low efficiency has been identified as one of the major constraints to the development of production

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-38775701554464178002009-05-29T16:44:00.001-05:002009-05-29T16:44:35.428-05:00

The British research firm PG Economics has released a study that touts the economic and environmental benefits of raising biotech crops. Thanks to agricultural biotechnology - the study found farmers in 25 countries are seeing increased yields, improved productivity and higher revenues. In fact - the report shows farmers have experienced a gain of 44.1-billion dollars over the 12 year period

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934242287827965428.post-60399408470117291952009-05-29T16:43:00.002-05:002009-05-29T16:44:08.633-05:00

The Senate Agriculture Committee has set a hearing to further explore needed regulatory reform of derivative markets. The open session, Thursday, June 4th, will address what can be done to regulate these markets in order to provide a solid foundation on which to rebuild the nation’s economy and prevent another financial collapse in the future. The full witness list is being developed.Leading

Tony St. Jamesnoreply@blogger.com