News & Events

Smithfield’s deal and the future of pork

Published Jun. 5, 2013

If approved, the deal will be the largest takeover to date of an American firm by a Chinese one. In addition to the transaction’s significant value, Pope said the combination of Shuanghui and Smithfield makes great strategic sense because of China’s current market size, being the world’s single largest protein consuming country, and its future potential.

Seven farm bill fights to watch

Published Jun. 18, 2013

House members will need to resolve a slew if fights over amendments to approve a five-year $939 billion farm bill by Thursday.
Here are some of the biggest battles to expect.

Senate farm bill stall will be felt across Capitol

Published Jun. 6, 2013

The Senate’s farm bill cloture vote Thursday morning poses a critical test for the Agriculture Committee leadership, which needs a strong showing to clear the way for passage Monday and begin to heal the breach sparked by revisions in the commodity title.

Rep. Bob Gibbs gets reacquainted with Northeast Ohio roots as area congressman

Published Jun. 17, 2013

The red tape and glacial pace of the legislative process in Washington irritate the two-term Republican congressman, a Bay Village native who spent three decades as a Holmes County hog farmer before becoming an Ohio legislator and a U.S. House of Representatives member.

Program may help stem tide of toxic algae (Dispatch editorial)

Published Jun. 6, 2013

Now the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has targeted six major streams — the Maumee, Sandusky, Cuyahoga, Wabash, Scioto and Great Miami rivers —to begin monitoring and reducing pollution that exacerbates the algae.

OSU President E. Gordon Gee to retire

Published Jun. 5, 2013

Gee served as OSU president for two terms, from 1990-1997 and 2007 to present. During his tenure as president, Gee has been an acclaimed leader at OSU. He has enhanced the university’s academic profile as Ohio State has become a highly selective, top-tier public research institution.

Ohio wraps up “normal” planting season

Published Jun. 6, 2013

The statewide planting progress reports from USDA also show a normal planting season for Ohio. While planting progress started out slow, corn and soybean planting was right on pace with the five-year average by the May 12 progress report and then moved ahead of the planting pace later in May.

Ohio farms dogged by battery thieves

Published Jun. 17, 2013

Sheriff’s deputies in Paulding, Ohio, are investigating reports that batteries are being stolen from farm tractors and barns. The thieves have been targeting tractors parked in fields or along roads, police said.

More Rain Could Slow Crops

Published Jun. 18, 2013

Emergence remains slow, especially in the northwest Midwest, which could receive more heavy rain this week.

More farm animals killed in Butler County

Published Jun. 6, 2013

Who – or what - is killing farm animals in Butler County?
Two miniature ponies were found dead in a field on Springfield Road Tuesday night - adjacent to the farm where 10 animals were killed or mutilated four weeks ago,