News & Events

EPA Makes a Mess

Published May. 14, 2013

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.

Supreme Court favors Monsanto in seed saving case

Published May. 14, 2013

Despite the narrow focus of the ruling, many in the industry see the decision as having wide reaching implications.

Agriculture is expected to remain strong in the coming decade

Published May. 14, 2013

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.

Catholic groups say agriculture laws should aid poor, farmers

Published May. 14, 2013

“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the face of continuing budgetary constraints, the 2013 Farm Bill is an opportunity to address our nation’s broken and outdated agricultural policies,” they said.

Crop Insurance Expansion Pushes Cost Increase in Latest U.S. Farm Bills

Published May. 14, 2013

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.

Farm bill: Still a little something for everyone

Published May. 14, 2013

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.

OARDC breaks ground on new ag engineering building

Published May. 13, 2013

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.

USDA Report Summary

Published May. 13, 2013

The slow start to the corn planting this year has prompted USDA to back off its early projected corn yields, though the May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates still project record corn production of 14.1 billion bushels.

Future Heads of Family Farms Dig Into Financials

Published May. 13, 2013

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.

House Ag Committee Releases Farm Bill Discussion Draft

Published May. 13, 2013

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.