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- Senate makes Farm Bill amendment to crop insurance program
- Agricultural Labor Reform to be Considered by Senate
- Prepare for pipeline development increases across Ohio
- Ohio Livestock Coalition accepting nominations for 'Neighbor of the Year' awards
- Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees announced
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'Foodies' spark reawakening of Grange in California
"This food movement fits right in line with our purpose and principles," said Bob McFarland, president of the state Grange. "We call this the Grange renaissance, the reawakening of the Grange." For the activists, joining the Grange means gaining a gathering place, a supportive umbrella organization and a platform through which to seek food policy changes.
A New Kind Of Agriculture Replaces Intuition With Precision
The key is precision farming: the convergence of digital technology that allows farmers to apply just the right amount of fertilizer and water on their fields. Humans have practiced a rather crude form of agriculture for millennia: we douse fields to give them as much water and fertilizer as we think they need. Yet field conditions may differ drastically within a few feet.
Agriculture Close To Avoiding Furloughs
Senate appropriators have approved the department’s request to shift funds within the Rural Development division to avoid furloughing about 4,800 employees because of sequestration, according to an aide. House lawmakers have not yet responded but a decision could come as early as today or Wednesday, J
Agriculture is expected to remain strong in the coming decade
Overall, this report indicates an optimistic future that includes some bumps along the way. A couple of these bumps include the short-term softening of commodity prices which are affected by increased production encouraged by high prices from the drought induced short crops of 2012 and increasing crude oil prices.
Agriculture Phrases that Frustrate Me
Why are we getting so stuck on terminology, and who is “better” than the “other”. And, why are we so worried about everyone who does things differently? If we look at differences under the same narrow focus, does that mean that corn farmers cannot get along with peanut farmers? What about fruit and vegetable farmers? They are different…why are they not arguing over methods of raising produce?
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Unveils Vision for U.S. Organic Agriculture
Vilsack announced a number of changes and new initiatives to support the continued growth of organic agriculture, including that the USDA's Risk Management Agency's (RMA) federal crop insurance program will increase coverage options for organic producers this year and provide even more options in 2014, including a contract price addendum as well as new premium price elections for organic crops.
American Farm Bureau Opens Annual Photo Contest
The contest runs May 20 to Oct. 15. All submissions must portray agriculture and safe practices of farmers and ranchers.
Are your farm acres covered?
The Muskingum and Guernsey conservation districts will have a cover crop informational meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 30. The meeting will be at the Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Co-Op meeting room, 17 S. Liberty St., New Concord.
As you’re planting, remember FSA deadlines
You’ve only got until June 3 to enroll in Acre for this year. You catch a break with DCP and have until Aug. 2 to enroll in DCP (and yes, that’s after the deadline for reporting your crops).
At Any Price: Director’s detailed portrayal of farm-life malaise pays off
Consumed by the motto “Expand or die,” Henry tries to buy up a neighbor’s land at the man’s funeral and commits other less-than-savory acts.
BASF Plans First Agriculture Product Site in Asia on Food Demand
BASF, which spends 430 million euros ($554 million) on research and development at its herbicide and fungicide unit, will invest an average of 300 million euros annually on additional production sites, it said today. The chemical maker is counting on Asia to be one of the main growth drivers to help it achieve a goal of 110 billion euros in revenue by the end of the decade.
Bowman v. Monsanto: U.S. Supreme Court sides with Monsanto in biotech ag seed pa
A federal court in Indiana ruled in favor of Monsanto and awarded damages to Monsanto of $84,456. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the case, before the Supreme Court agreed to hear the matter. (Read the Supreme Court’s opinion in Bowman v. Monsanto.)
Catholic groups say agriculture laws should aid poor, farmers
“In the face of continuing budgetary constraints, the 2013 Farm Bill is an opportunity to address our nation’s broken and outdated agricultural policies,” they said.
Catholic rural advocates weigh in on farm bill
In a May 9 letter to Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Thad Cochran, R-Miss., the chairwoman and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Catholic groups outlined domestic hunger, international food security, conservation, rural development and subsidies as key issues to be treated in a farm bill.
Congress Poised to Move on Farm Bill
The atmosphere on Capitol Hill for the farm bill suddenly seems to be full speed ahead.
The Senate Agriculture Committee will mark up its bill on Tuesday, and the House Agriculture Committee will follow suit on Wednesday.
Critics Lament New COOL Rule
opponents of COOL on Thursday lashed out against USDA and the new labeling requirements. Those criticisms were loudest from U.S. meatpackers, feeders and Canadians.
Crop Insurance Expansion Pushes Cost Increase in Latest U.S. Farm Bills
The federally subsidized crop insurance program, the costliest part of the U.S. farm safety net, would spin off at least three new types of coverage and could cost 10 percent more under draft farm bills pending in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.
Drought causing beef prices to skyrocket
Wholesale prices of choice-grade beef have hit several record highs this week, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Market News Service. Prices are rising for a handful of reasons. A long-running drought in top beef-producing states, such as Texas, combined with a Corn Belt drought last summer, have cut hay and corn production.
EPA Makes a Mess
In a statement from Nancy Stoner, prepared for DTN, the agency acknowledges missteps were made: "After a recent release by EPA of CAFO- and AFO-related information under a Freedom of Information Act request, the agricultural community raised a number of privacy concerns. In response, EPA determined that some personal information that could have been protected under FOIA was released.
Farm Bill Fight Over SNAP Cuts Previewed in Markup
Just as with last year’s attempt at a farm program reauthorization, some conservatives say the bill’s proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, amounting to $20.5 billion over 10 years, do not go far enough, while many Democrats say they are too much.
Farm bill with cuts to food stamps splits Democrats
The House Agriculture Committee will consider a farm bill Wednesday that contains a $20.5 billion cut over 10 years to the food stamp program, drawing objections from committee member James McGovern, Democrat of Worcester.
Farm bill: Still a little something for everyone
Each bill would eliminate $5 billion in annual direct payments that aren't tied to production or crop prices and would consolidate other programs. At the same time, the bills would create new programs with some of that money and raise the subsidies for some crops while business is booming in the agricultural sector.
Farm Equipment That Runs on Oats
Stephen Leslie, an artist and former Benedictine monk, guided two Norwegian Fjords down the field. The walking moldboard plow, a 300-pound curving steel blade, cut through the soil and sent it curling over itself in dark, crumbly waves. H
Farm waste may demand return of biofuels
The process aims to transform agriculture waste, most of which would normally be discarded, into a renewable source of fuel.
Food stamps and ice cream shaping farm bill in Congress
Fewer people would get food stamps -- and ice cream and cheese might cost more. As disparate as these morsels appear, they are related.
Future Heads of Family Farms Dig Into Financials
While other classes teach ag students how to repair combines or learn the proper chemical mixes of common fertilizers, students in agricultural economist Kevin Moore's "Returning to the Farm" class create business plans using financial information from their own family farms.
Grassland Reserve Program signup
The Ohio Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, announced today the 2013 deadline for accepting applications for the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP). The deadline for submitting GRP applications is June 3, 2013 for applicants to submit offers for GRP rental contracts.
Hemp, GMO labeling debates hit farm bill
The Republican leader wants to legalize industrial hemp. The Democratic leader would allow states to impose their own food labeling rules requiring the disclosure of genetically modified ingredients.
House Ag Committee Releases Farm Bill Discussion Draft
House Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma and Ranking Member Collin Peterson of Minnesota released a discussion draft of the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management, or FARRM Act of 2013. The bipartisan bill cuts spending, reduces the size of government, and makes common-sense reforms to policy.
House Panel OKs Farm Bill With Food Stamp Cuts
The cuts are part of massive legislation that costs almost $100 billion annually over five years and would set policy for farm subsidies, rural programs and the food aid. The Senate Agriculture Committee approved its version of the bill Tuesday, and the full Senate is expected to start work on the bill next week. House action is expected this summer. Current programs expire Sept. 30.
Lamb checkoff increase
Funds collected under the Lamb Checkoff Program are used for promotion, information, research and advertising of American lamb. The board’s expenditures for administration are limited to 10 percent or less of total revenues.
Learning about farm animal behavio
Emergency personnel from as far away as Henry County and Cincinnati were at the Eastern Agricultural Research Station (EARS) near Caldwell on Tuesday, May 14, participating in Animal Agriculture 203, a basic hands-on training of farm animal behavior.
Legislators’ fix for Ohio deer season is rejected
The change would have added two days of open gun and bow hunting in early January, followed by three days of muzzleloader-only hunting. Members of the Ohio Wildlife Council, which approves Ohio Department of Natural Resources changes, bucked the measure in a 4-3 vote.
Livestock rules threatened by HSUS
Careful reading of the press release gives the real purpose of HSUS which is: "refining our dietary choices by switching to products that meet higher welfare standards; reducing our consumption of animal products; and replacing animal products in the diet with plant-based options."
Merrigan Expresses Worry About FSMA’s Impact on Agriculture
She told the audience that the FSMA regulations being developed have “the potential to transform, disrupt, improve and potentially destroy some operations.” “It’s really big,” she said. “It could really change agriculture and certain parts of our industry more than you realize.”
Mid-Ohio Foodbank bristles at food stamp cuts in farm bill
Mid-Ohio’s vice president of public affairs, Marilyn Tomasi, called the cuts “reckless, short-sighted and a compromise of our most fundamental American values.”
Monthly barn dances at Malabar Farm draw spirited crowd
Barn dances have been a tradition at Malabar since Louis Bromfield built the farm in 1939. It was a way to entertain guests, get to know neighbors and create a strong sense of community, Sybil Burskey, Malabar Farm program administrator said.
Nutrient management workshop
Legal issues regarding manure hauling, as well as issues surrounding equipment inspections and highway safety, will be discussed by Ohio State University experts and others during a joint workshop and meeting of the Midwest Professional Nutrient Applicators Association June 11 in Findlay.
OARDC breaks ground on new ag engineering building
The 40,000-plus square foot facility will replace the one destroyed by a tornado Sept. 16, 2010. It is expected to be finished in 18-20 months and will house more than 50 employees. All current employees of the facility have been forced to relocate.
Ohio Ag Council announces 2013 Hall of Fame inductees
The Ohio Agricultural Council (OAC) will induct Shirley Dunlap Bowser of Williamsport, Louis M. “Mick” Colvin of West Salem, Bernard J. Scott of Tontogeny, and Doug White of Manchester, into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame during a special breakfast ceremony held in the Rhodes Youth Center at the Ohio Expo Center.
Ohio's farm counties mystified as feds leave them off the map
Ohio, for example, has 88 counties. Most methods of counting, including those used by the state, the U.S. Census Bureau and other government agencies, come up with 48 of them as rural. The CFPB, however, is only counting 20.
Old MacDonald had a crowdfunded farm
More than anything, Rebecca Bloomfield wants her own organic farm. To accomplish this though, in a social media age — without much capital — she has to be something else first: a crowdfunding guru.
OSU gets new trustee
Porteus, 56, replaces Brian Hicks on the OSU board.
He is a board member of Nationwide and served as president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation from 2008 to 2011.
OSU livestock and crop budgets available
Newly updated Enterprise Budgets for 2013 have been completed and posted to the Farm Management Website of the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics. Updated Enterprise Budgets can be viewed and downloaded from the following website: ?http://aede.osu.edu/research/osu-farm-management/enterprise-budgets
OSU offers legal conference for attorneys working with agriculture
The fifth annual Ohio Agricultural Law Symposium will be June 23 and 24 at Cherry Valley Lodge, 2299, Cherry Valley Road SE, Newark. Attorneys who attend will receive Continuing Legal Education credit.
Pesticide ‘drift’ cause of sudden tree devastation
The Ohio Department of Agriculture calls the phenomenon “drift.” Agency officials investigate about 40 complaints of unintentional agricultural poisonings each year.
Proposed farm bills would cut billions from current spending levels
Savings from both plans would come in large part from reducing funding for the supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — which provides food credits for the poor — and phasing out the controversial automatic subsidies that go to producers of certain crops such as corn and cotton.
Protest at Wendy’s annual meeting aimed at farm-worker rights
The protesters said that they want Wendy’s to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers. Other fast-food chains including McDonald’s and Burger King have signed the agreement with the Florida-based Coalition of Immokalee Workers.
Rain may increase algae in Lake Erie
Jeffrey Reutter, director of the Ohio Sea Grant Program, shared the data during an Ohio Senate Finance Subcommittee hearing yesterday. He said it doesn’t guarantee that a record algae bloom will spread across the lake as it did during the summer of 2011.
Raincoats (and Risk Management) Required
Agriculture is fundamentally a risky business. Farmers have to be willing to spend hundreds of dollars per acre to plant a crop in the hope that it will come up, the weeds won’t be too bad, the pests won’t kill it and, in the end, there will actually be a market that will pay a high enough price to cover all of these production costs.