Agriculture

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    ScienceDaily.com

  • Boosting Coastal Economics With Crustacean Molting On Demand

    7 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am
    Researchers are close to unraveling intricate cellular pathways that control molting in blue crabs. The discoveries could revolutionize the soft-shell crab industry, generating new jobs and additional profits for the US fishing industry along the coastal Southeast.

  • Water-conserving Irrigation Strategies Minimize Overwatering, Runoff

    5 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pm
    Conserving water and reducing the environmental impact of runoff are two important issues confronting container nursery operations. Current regulations in five states limit water consumption and/or nutrient concentrations in runoff. Researchers investigated whether irrigation scheduling based on daily water use (DWU) -- the combined loss of water from plant transpiration and substrate evaporation -- could conserve water. According to the study, "scheduling irrigation according to plant DWU substantially reduced the amount of irrigation applied.

  • How Plants And Bacteria 'Talk' To Thwart Disease

    4 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    Unwrapping some of the mystery from how plants and bacteria communicate to trigger an innate immune response, scientists have identified the bacterial signaling molecule that matches up with a specific receptor in rice plants to ward off a devastating disease known as bacterial blight of rice.

  • Engineers Strive To Make Algae Oil Production More Feasible

    4 Nov 2009 | 11:00 am
    Engineers are assessing systematic production methods that could make the costs of algae oil production more reasonable, helping move the U.S. from fossil fuel dependency to renewable energy replacements.

  • Flemish Researchers Develop Revolutionary Technology For Use In Plant Breeding

    4 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am
    Flemish scientists have developed a technology that can significantly increase crop yields as well as make them more resistant to unfavorable growing conditions. It is based on selecting plants that make more efficient use of energy.
 
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    Medical News Today: Agriculture

  • How Plants And Bacteria 'Talk' To Thwart Disease

    7 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    When it comes to plants' innate immunity, like many of the dances of life, it takes two to tango. A receptor molecule in the plant pairs up with a specific molecule on the invading bacteria and, presto, the immune system swings into action to defend against the invasion of the disease-causing microbe.

  • Ag Biotech Industry Stands Behind IRM Program

    6 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    The agricultural biotechnology industry maintains that the Insect Resistance Management (IRM) Plan has been one of the most successful industry stewardship programs implemented since pest-tolerant biotech crops were introduced more than a decade ago. A report released today by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) alleges that farmer compliance with the insect-resistance management requirement has declined somewhat in recent years.

  • Air Pollution Increases Infants' Risk Of Bronchiolitis

    6 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am
    Infants who are exposed to higher levels of air pollution are at increased risk for bronchiolitis, according to a new study. The study appears in the November 15 issue of the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. "There has been very little study of the consequences of early life exposure to air pollution," said Catherine Karr, M.D.

  • Climate Change Is Biggest Global Health Threat To Children, Report Says

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am
    According to a report (.pdf) by Save the Children, climate change is the biggest global health threat to children in the 21st century, the Hindu reports.

  • FDA And FSIS Collaborate To Improve Tracing Of Unsafe Food Products

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am
    A joint public meeting focused on improving the system for tracing of food products and ingredients that are causing illness outbreaks or presenting other risks to the health of consumers was announced today by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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    USDA Agricultural Research Service

  • Making Climate Forecasts More Useful to Farmers

    6 Nov 2009 | 5:59 am
    Read the magazine story to find out more. ARS meteorologist Jeanne Schneider and hydraulic engineer Jurgen Garbrecht are working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to translate seasonal climate forecasts into possible daily weather outcomes for farmers. Click the image for more information about it. Clues on corn yields, weather conditions and climate patterns   ARS Grazinglands Lab in Oklahoma celebrates anniversary   Making NOAA Climate Forecasts Useful to Farmers By Don Comis November 6, 2009 Climate forecasts are becoming more useful to farmers and…

  • Sweetpotatoes Get High-Tech Help

    5 Nov 2009 | 5:45 am
    ARS computational molecular biologist Brian Scheffler is heading an effort to create a genomics toolkit to help plant breeders develop new varieties of sweetpotato, the world's seventh most important food crop. Click the image for more information about it. Discovery may solve devastating rust fungus issue for bean growers   Sweet potato puree adds to bottom line   State-of-the-art technology being applied to agricultural problems Sweetpotatoes Get High-Tech Help By Jan Suszkiw November 5, 2009 An Agricultural Research Service (ARS) computational molecular biologist in Mississippi…

  • Spread of Western Juniper Seeds Studied

    4 Nov 2009 | 5:54 am
    ARS ecologist William S. Longland is trying to determine what gives western juniper a competitive advantage in the environment. Photo courtesy of Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org Animation of "giant reed" plant may speed its demise   Cheatgrass' success secret revealed   Beneficial beetles battle pesky saltcedar Spread of Western Juniper Seeds Studied By Marcia Wood November 4, 2009 Aromatic, evergreen foliage and plump, dusty-blue to nearly purple berries make western juniper appealing, whether it's a small shrub or a lofty tree. The…

  • Reducing Agriculture's Climate Change Footprint

    3 Nov 2009 | 6:31 am
    Read the magazine story to find out more. ARS soil scientist Jane Johnson is looking for practical ways to keep carbon in the soil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production. Click the image for more information about it. No-till shows benefits when switching from grasses to corn   More about no-till and greenhouse gas emissions   Giving farmers credit for carbon Searching for Ways to Reduce Agriculture's Climate Change Footprint By Dennis O'Brien November 3, 2009 Curbing greenhouse gas emissions from cultivated fields may require going beyond cutting back on…

  • Scientists Plot Genetic Ploy Against Grain Pest

    2 Nov 2009 | 5:35 am
    Read the magazine story to find out more. Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum).Click the image for more information about it. Key red flour beetle gene sequenced   Agricultural pest's genome is sequenced   How the beetle gets its shell Scientists Plot Genetic Ploy Against Grain Pest By Jan Suszkiw November 2, 2009 Aided by a genomic map of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university scientists are plotting a kind of genetic sabotage on the pest’s basic life functions—from locomotion to digestion. Nationally, infestations…
 
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    AWIC

  • Report On Random Source Dogs And Cats Endorsed By American Physiological Society

    6 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am
    MedicalNewsToday.com - The American Physiological Society (APS; http://www.the-aps.org) has announced that it has endorsed the recommendation of a National Academy of Sciences* (NAS) report calling for the identification of new suppliers to replace Class B dealers as providers of random source dogs and cats for medical research. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169356.php

  • Bloodbelly Comb Jelly

    6 Nov 2009 | 5:26 am
    DeepSeaNews.com - Great video of a comb jelly with its silica plates that are reflecting light. http://deepseanews.com/2009/10/blood-belly-comb-jelly/

  • 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Presumptive and Confirmed Results

    6 Nov 2009 | 5:24 am
    Suspect positive 2009 pandemic H1N1 samples can be received by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) from a variety of sources. http://www.usda.gov/documents/FINAL_RESULTS_2009_PANDEMIC_H1N1_INFLUENZA_CHT.pdf

  • Cat catches swine flu

    4 Nov 2009 | 1:24 pm
    The Washington Post - A cat in Iowa has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, state officials confirmed this morning, "marking the first time a cat has been diagnosed with this strain of influenza," the association said in a statement. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2009/11/cat_catches_swine_flu.html?wprss=checkup

  • Domesticated dog is nursing zoo's 9 painted dog pups

    4 Nov 2009 | 11:48 am
    Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - A domesticated mutt is acting as the surrogate mom for nine newborn African painted dog pups at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09307/1010513-100.stm#ixzz0VuyDqcFL
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    USDA Economic Research Service - What's New

  • DatelinERS Newsletter

    2 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm
    The DatelinERS newsletter offers concise summaries of ERS reports and events with links to areas within our website. You can find it in our newsroom at www.ers.usda.gov/News/.

  • Fruit and Tree Nuts Yearbook Data tables

    2 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am
    Annual data on acreage, production, trade, supply and utilization, prices, and value of production for fruit and nuts including citrus, other tree fruits, grapes and other small fruits; supply and utilization of processed fruit and fruit juices.

  • Characteristics, Costs, and Issues for Organic Dairy Farming

    2 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am
    Organic milk production has been one of the fastest growing segments of organic agriculture in the United States in recent years. Despite the growing number of organic dairy operations, the characteristics of organic dairy operations and the relative costs of organic and conventional milk production have been difficult to analyze. This study, using 2005 ARMS data for U.S. dairy operations, which include a targeted sample of organic milk producers, examines the structure, costs, and challenges of organic milk production. The analysis addresses economies of size, regional differences, and…

  • Does SNAP Decrease Food Insecurity? Untangling the Self-Selection Effect

    29 Oct 2009 | 6:00 am
    Self-selection by more food-needy households into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly called the Food Stamp Program) makes it difficult to observe positive effects of the program in survey data. This study investigates self-selection and ameliorative program effects by examining households’ food security month by month for several months prior to initial receipt of SNAP benefits and for several months after joining the program.Two-year panels are constructed by matching the same households interviewed in the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement in 2…

  • Monthly Milk Cost of Production

    27 Oct 2009 | 1:00 pm
    Monthly milk cost of production estimates are available by State from January 2003 to the previous month.
 
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    Global Voices Online: Agriculture

  • Japan: Licolita-style activism

    Oiwan Lam
    4 Nov 2009 | 9:08 pm
    Martin J Frid from Kurashi blogs about an unique activism style in Akihabara, Tokyo. In those event, activists will dress as maid and perform in the street the idea of alternative lifestyle.

  • The future of ICT4D: How soon is now?

    John Liebhardt
    3 Nov 2009 | 6:29 am
    Our previous two posts concentrated on what the future of ICTs for development could look like. This post will provide a taste of what it does look like. We’ll tackle a few lingering issues facing information and communication technology before investigating a few ICT projects. These ventures weren’t picked by any scientific method; nor do they constitute any consensus of how ICTs will look in the next few years. These are just projects that caught my eye. Because these projects leverage technology in rural areas, let’s start with a discussion on how public internet kiosks could develop…

  • Online Tools to Monitor Climate Change

    Lester Bolicenni
    22 Oct 2009 | 11:41 am
    Leading up to the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15) in December 2009, here is a sample of online tools to monitor climate change. Using these tools, ordinary people can learn more about the effects, and help push decision makers to deal with solutions. In the field Tracking climate change impacts generally starts in the field. James Balog, a photographer, has been to Alaska, USA, to record time-lapse ice cap melting. You can see the stunning results of his photography in this video: If you don't have expensive cameras and spare-time to journey to Alaska, another approach…

  • Mongolia: Only Mongolians Can Protect Mongolian Rangelands

    Portnoy
    19 Oct 2009 | 5:43 am
    Ariungerel on Nomad Green critisizes the effects of many projects aiming to protect or restore rangelands in Mongolia. “Once a project ends and the result is reported to the world, both of their money and minds would disappear”, and in many cases, those restored rangelands return to waste desert because local people still lack the mindset of sustainable rangeland protection.

  • Guadeloupe: The Water Days

    Fabienne Flessel
    18 Oct 2009 | 5:35 pm
    In The French-speaking Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, also dubbed “the Island with Beautiful Waters”, water is vital. It is all the more central since it defines the two seasons of the Guadeloupean climate either because it is scarce or because it is plentiful: “Carême” is a 6 month-long dry season and “Hivernage” is a 4 month-long hurricane and rainy season. Unquestionably, Guadeloupeans not only depend on the availability of water resources but also on the quality of this precious liquid. This is the reason why 46 years ago, the Syndicat Intercommunal de l'Alimentation en…
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    Agriculture in Van Wert County, Ohio

  • Ohio Issue 2 Result

    Andy Kleinschmidt
    3 Nov 2009 | 7:17 pm
    Issue 2- Livestock Care Commission Results 11/4/09 Source: Ohio Secretary of State % of Votes For            Number Of Votes For 63.66%   √                        1,959,669 % of Votes Against      Number Of Votes Against 36.34%                            1,118,805 Posted in livestock Tagged: Issue 2 2009, Ohio Issue 2, Ohio Issue 2 2009, ohio issue 2 results

  • Employee Management in the Age of Social Media

    Andy Kleinschmidt
    3 Nov 2009 | 5:05 am
    The following article is written by my colleague Chris Zoller, Extension Educator, Tuscarawas County: Have you ever been to the grocery store or the gas station and had the clerk talk on their cell phone or text a message while trying to take care of you? It has happened to me and you’ve probably had it happen to you or maybe witnessed it happen to someone else. Have you seen your employees do this?  If so, have you considered the potential negative impacts on productivity? The use of cell phones has multiplied faster than we can imagine. It seems as though everyone has one (or as my…

  • Growing the Bioeconomy: Solutions for Sustainability

    Andy Kleinschmidt
    2 Nov 2009 | 9:05 am
    The below news release was prepared by Iowa State University: Agriculture’s contribution to carbon footprinting and greenhouse gasses is pointed out in headlines from the Wall Street Journal to Successful Farming. But 12 Midwest universities are collaborating to host a virtual conference that rewrites the headlines and suggests that agriculture can clean the planet. In a collaborative effort the universities are offering “Growing the Bioeconomy: Solutions for Sustainability” on Dec. 1, 2009 to share how that might be done. “This conference will be a day filled with presenters offering…

  • 2010 Ohio Corn, Soybean and Wheat Enterprise Budgets

    Andy Kleinschmidt
    2 Nov 2009 | 5:05 am
    This article was written by Barry Ward, Production Business Management, OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics: Budgeting helps guide you through your decision making process as you attempt to commit resources to the most profitable enterprises on the farm. Crops or Livestock? Corn, Soybeans, or Wheat? We can begin to answer these questions with well thought out budgets that include all revenue and costs. Without some form of budgeting and some method to track your enterprises’ progress you’ll have difficulty determining your most profitable…

  • Corn with Mold: Which Mold is it and How to Handle

    Andy Kleinschmidt
    28 Oct 2009 | 10:00 am
    The following article was sourced from material developed by Gene McCluer, OSU Extension; Purdue University Professor Richard Stroshine; and the October 12, 2009 CORN Newsletter Farmers across Ohio are finding mold on corn in some fields this year. Both Diplodia and Gibberella molds have been reported, and they may cause challenges in grain handling and storage this year.  The cool, wet weather over the past month has prolonged conditions favorable for ear mold growth. At this point in the season, producers should scout remaining fields of corn and take note of areas and hybrids with ear…
 
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    Big News Network

  • Honey for him, lollies for her - Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of

    6 Nov 2009 | 5:35 pm
    . While The Prince was presented with a basket of all things Canadian, including Ontario-made honey; Her Royal Highness was presented with a Western saddle for her grandchildren. Immediately after ...

  • More Cavendish Farms shutdowns possible

    6 Nov 2009 | 3:45 pm
    Temporary shutdowns at Cavendish Farms could continue into the new year, according to a company spokeswoman. The Irving-owned company, the largest private employer in P.E.I., announced Thursday it wa...

  • Kansas City cash grain

    6 Nov 2009 | 12:19 pm
    KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Wheat 11,727 bushels: 11 1/2 cents lower to 1/2 cent higher; No. 2 hard 4.42-4.60 1/2n; No. 3 4.31-4.59 1/2n; No. 2 red wheat 4.60-5.20 1/2n; No. 3 red wheat 4.49-5.19 1/2n. Cor...

  • Everett conference raises new issues on farming

    6 Nov 2009 | 12:12 pm
    By SARAH JACKSONTHE HERALD TULALIP, Wash. -- In this day and age, it's not enough for farmers to grow food. They also must be experts at marketing, Twitter and Facebook. They must protect their l...

  • Everett conference raises new issues on farming

    6 Nov 2009 | 11:28 am
    By SARAH JACKSONTHE HERALD TULALIP, Wash. -- In this day and age, it's not enough for farmers to grow food. They also must be experts at marketing, Twitter and Facebook. They must protect their l...
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    Topix: Agriculture

  • Scripps Networks Interactive to Acquire Controlling Interest in Travel Channel

    6 Nov 2009 | 5:39 pm
    Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. , owner and operator of the Food Network and HGTV lifestyle television networks, will enter into a joint venture with Cox Communications Inc.

  • Kellogg tops United Way goal

    5 Nov 2009 | 5:30 pm
    Facing a tough economy and job insecurities, Kellogg Co. gave more than ever before to United Way of Greater Battle Creek.

  • Zapata reports loss in Q3; announces name change

    5 Nov 2009 | 9:27 am
    Zapata Corp. posted a loss in its third quarter, the company said Wednesday. The Brighton-based holding firm also disclosed plans regarding its merger with the Harbinger Group Inc., which includes a name change - Zapata will be called Harbinger.

  • MGP Ingredients Appoints Don Tracy CFO

    5 Nov 2009 | 1:22 am
    Atchison, KSa ' Tim Newkirk , president and chief executive officer of MGP Ingredients, Inc.

  • Andersons shares fall on weak 3Q profit

    4 Nov 2009 | 9:07 pm
    The Andersons Inc., a diversified agricultural and transportation company, said Wednesday that its third-quarter profit fell 90 percent as fertilizer retailers kept inventories lean and its rail group suffered from double-digit declines in rail traffic amid the economic slump.
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    Google News: Agriculture

  • NC court rules against tobacco payments - Baltimore Sun

    7 Nov 2009 | 12:23 am
    NC court rules against tobacco paymentsBaltimore SunOfficials with the Maryland Department of Agriculture said the state had sought to require that Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. and Lorillard Tobacco and more »

  • Harvest among latest on record - Northwest Herald

    6 Nov 2009 | 11:32 pm
    AgWebHarvest among latest on recordNorthwest HeraldThere were no floods or droughts during the agriculture growing season this year, but a perfect storm of cool and Wet harvest advancing, yields looking goodSpencer Daily ReporterRecord High Corn, Soybean Yields ExpectedLancaster FarmingExcessive moisture slows harvestHigh Plains JournalImperial Republican -Bismarck Farm & Ranch Guide -KCTribune.comall 254 news articles »

  • Ark. ag experts put weather losses at $225 million - Daily Mail - Charleston

    6 Nov 2009 | 8:10 pm
    The Associated PressArk. ag experts put weather losses at $225 millionDaily Mail - Charleston and soybean growers lost $49 million, the extension service said, citing totals developed by the Division of Agriculture at the University of Arkansas. Ark. ag experts put weather losses at $225 millionThe Associated PressIN ARKANSAS, HARVEST IS 24/7 AFFAIRPine Bluff Commercialall 95 news articles »

  • Wrapping up the 2009 Royal visit in Toronto - Examiner.com

    6 Nov 2009 | 8:07 pm
    CBC.caWrapping up the 2009 Royal visit in TorontoExaminer.comThe Royal couple, on their first visit as a married couple to Canada, officially opened the 2009 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair on Friday. Charles And Camilla Kick Off Royal Agricultural Winter FairCityNewsDuchess visits Canadian winter fairThe Press AssociationRoyals right at homeToronto SunThe Canadian Press -Toronto Life -London Free Pressall 172 news articles »

  • Olives finding favor in local agriculture circles - Gustine Press-Standard

    6 Nov 2009 | 6:12 pm
    Olives finding favor in local agriculture circlesGustine Press-StandardGUSTINE – The West Side is rich in producing a bounty of agriculture commodities, and now olive oil is being added to the mix. One family-based business led and more »
 
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    Zibb.com

  • Dutch minister of Agriculture Gerda Verburg visits VanDrie Group ...

    7 Nov 2009 | 3:47 am
    15-10-2007 : Dutch minister of Agriculture Gerda Verburg visits VanDrie Group during Anuga in Cologne On Saturday 13 October, Dutch Agriculture Minister Gerda Verburg was present for the opening of the Anuga trade fair in Cologne and paid a visit to

  • Farmer Focus Livestock: Bill Metcalf

    7 Nov 2009 | 3:47 am
    Having been to a recent meeting in association with DEFRA (they being responsible for implementing the forthcoming sheep EID), I feel my soap box beckoning one last time. Agriculture news from Farmers Weekly Interactive. Find used tractors & farms for sale on FWi

  • Wheat lacking fundamental supports as stocks remain large - The P...

    6 Nov 2009 | 4:02 pm
    The Prairie Star serves over 19,000 demographically qualified farm and ranch subscribers across Montana and Northern Wyoming. The Prairie Star has been an important agricultural tool to Montana farmers for 35 years.

  • Schwieterman: Lots Of Corn Still To Be Sold, Charts Suggest Decem...

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:38 pm
    The December gold made new all time highs this week and moved briefly above the $1100/oz. level. It was a very impressive rally considering the Dollar did not fall to new lows for the move. However, it does look like the bounce in the Dollar is over with and it won’t be surprising at all to see new

  • Flashy Start, Bearish Ending - AgWeb

    6 Nov 2009 | 1:50 pm
    Corn was up 32 ¾ cents for the week at one point on Wednesday morning, and then proceeded to give it all back by Friday night. It closed near the low of the day on Friday, leaving only a 0.27% gain for the week. Hedge pressure was part of the story, as harvest weather improved.
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    Medworm.com

  • Also In Global Health News: Kenya Child Mortality; DRC Rape; Cape Verde Dengue Outbreak; Guatemala Malnutrition; East Africa Flooding

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am
    Child Mortality In Kenya Still High, Survey Shows "The most current data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics under the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) launched on Wednesday shows mortality among children under five years stands at 7.4 percent, while that of infants is at 5.2 percent," Business Daily reports. (Source: Nutrition/Agriculture News From Medical News Today)

  • Kellogg To Stop Immunity Claims On Rice Krispies, US

    6 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am
    Kellogg , the global cereal and convenience food producer based in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA, has announced it is going to stop putting claims on its US packets of Rice Krispies that say the cereal supports children's immunity. According to a statement released on Tuesday, Kellogg said that last year it started adding antioxidants to Rice Krispies cereals as one way to respond to "parents indicating their desire for more positive nutrition in kids' cereal". (Source: Nutrition/Agriculture News From Medical News Today)

  • Olive Oil Standards Keep Counterfeits Out Of The Kitchen

    5 Nov 2009 | 6:00 pm
    It's no secret olive oil, the delicious staple responsible for the rich flavors and heart-healthy benefits of the Mediterranean diet, is fast becoming dear to the American palate. As demand for this premium product grows, the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA) and its members want to ensure consumers get what they pay for when buying olive oil. To help achieve that, the NAOOA recently started asking states to adopt the international standard for olive oil. (Source: Nutrition/Agriculture News From Medical News Today)

  • Children's Asthma Risk Linked To Folic Acid Supplements During Late Pregnancy, Australian Study

    5 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am
    Researchers in Australia have identified a link between allergic asthma in 3 to 5 year-old children and exposure to folic acid that their birth mothers took as supplements during late pregnancy. They said the timing of when folic acid is taken in pregnancy might be important. (Source: Nutrition/Agriculture News From Medical News Today)

  • New Inexpensive 'Dipstick' Test For Pesticides In Foods

    5 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am
    Scientists in Canada are reporting the development of a fast, inexpensive "dipstick" test to identify small amounts of pesticides that may exist in foods and beverages. Their paper-strip test is more practical than conventional pesticide tests, producing results in minutes rather than hours by means of an easy-to-read color-change, they say. The study is in the November 1 issue of ACS' Analytical Chemistry, a semi-monthly journal. (Source: Nutrition/Agriculture News From Medical News Today)
 
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    ANR News Blog Feed

  • Capital Press proclaims the promise of biofuel

    6 Nov 2009 | 10:58 am
    An article in the agribusiness newspaper Capital Press about how much money is being spent on research around California to develop alternatives to fossil fuels was picked up from a UC ANR news release touting the most recent issue of California Agriculture journal.Writer Tim Hearden's story, however, refers in the third paragraph to "the study," when in fact the release reported that more than two-thirds of a billion dollars coming from corporate and government sources are funding dozens of......

  • City folk get a look at local ag

    5 Nov 2009 | 10:40 am
    When 250 people climbed aboard buses for an annual tour of North Sacramento Valley agricultural operations this week, among them was Chico Enterprise reporter Heather Hacking to document the trip for the newspaper's readers who couldn't attend. The tour's five stops included a Mediterranean food producer, a pistachio orchard, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.'s new rail shipment yard, a prune orchard and a walnut farm. At the latter two stops, UC Cooperative Extension researchers explained their......

  • UC farm advisor battles the San Diego gnat attack

    4 Nov 2009 | 10:55 am
    San Diego County officials are calling on a UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor once again to help solve a pesky problem with gnats, according to an article in today's San Diego Union-Tribune. Last year, residents of the north San Diego County community of Jacumba were plagued by gnats and believed their source was a local organic farm. UCCE farm advisor Jim Bethke confirmed their suspicions and began working with the farmer to find an environmentally sound way to control the pests. Now the......

  • UC farm advisor appointed to local school board

    3 Nov 2009 | 9:53 am
    UC Cooperative Extension viticulture and plant science farm advisor Glenn McGourty has been appointed to the Ukiah Unified School District Board of Trustees, according to The Willits News. One of the reasons McGourty applied for the position, he explained in his written application, was because UC President Mark Yudof encouraged all UC faculty to reach out to K-12 education, "as the future depends on quality public schools in the state."McGourty was also asked in the application about his......

  • New features on ANR News Blog

    2 Nov 2009 | 12:41 pm
    UC ANR's Web Action Team has added new features to the blog system that now appear on the ANR News Blog. On the upper right, you will see icons for "share," "e-mail," and "print."Clicking on the "share" icon allows readers to quickly and easily add the post to their favorite social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter, Digg and many others. Print and e-mail also simplify the sharing of information from the blog using more traditional communications approaches. Note: The ANR News Blog......
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    Mongabay.com

  • EU is 2nd largest source of peat emissions after Indonesia, finds global peat survey

    Rhett Butler
    4 Nov 2009 | 5:14 am
    The EU is the world's second largest source of carbon dioxide emissions from peatlands drainage, after Indonesia, reports the first country-by-country assessment of peat stocks. The study, conducted by Wetlands International and Greifswald University, found that drainage of wetlands for agriculture, forestry and peat extraction causes 1.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. Emissions from fires and peat mining (for horticulture and fuel) amount to another 700,000 million tons per year.

  • Impasse over palm oil emissions at RSPO meeting

    Rhett Butler
    3 Nov 2009 | 4:58 pm
    Environmentalists and palm oil producers meeting at the annual Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) were locked in an impasse over how to account for emissions from converting forests and peatlands to oil palm plantations, report conference attendees.

  • European companies not supporting 'greener' palm oil

    Rhett Butler
    29 Oct 2009 | 9:23 am
    Most European consumers of palm oil are failing to buy eco-certified palm oil, undermining efforts to encourage producers to reduce their impact on the environment, reports WWF.

  • Carbon accounting must not neglect emissions from bioenergy production and use

    Rhett Butler
    29 Oct 2009 | 8:46 am
    Carbon accounting used in the Kyoto Protocol and other climate legislation currently neglects CO2 emissions from the production of biofuels, a loophole that could drive large-scale destruction of tropical forests and exacerbate global warming, warned researchers writing last week in the journal Science.

  • 200 million more people going hungry

    Jeremy Hance
    26 Oct 2009 | 3:24 pm
    The war on hunger is becoming a rout—and we're losing. The UN World Food Program (WFP) announced today that during the last two years 200 million more people are going hungry.
 
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    National Agricultural Library

  • I Yam What I Yam . . . But Am I a Potato?

    maleonard
    23 Oct 2009 | 1:54 pm
    Poetry feeds our souls. Sweet potatoes feed our bellies. And a poem about sweet potatoes -- here called "yams" -- well, I'd venture that feeds multiple appetites simultaneously, including our curiosity. Wait. Check that. It doesn't feed our curiosity as much as spark it, as an appetizer warms us up for eating. But before I get into that, read today's poem. Just pay special attention to the first line. American Life in Poetry: Column 154 BY TED KOOSER, U.S. POET LAUREATE, 2004-2006 Though some teacher may have made you think that all poetry is deadly serious, chock full of coded meanings and…

  • Climate Change Resources: A Blog Action Day Contribution

    maleonard
    15 Oct 2009 | 2:28 pm
    Today, October 15, is Blog Action Day, an annual Web event intended to harness the reach and power of blogs to tackle one important common issue. This year's topic: climate change. The event's goal is to "raise awareness and trigger a global discussion" by inviting bloggers everywhere to address that one issue from our unique and varied perspectives and to apply to it our respective expertise. Taking that to heart, I decided that the most appropriate thing a librarian like myself can do is to point you to a handful of quality resources on climate change. That way, true to the librarian code,…

  • New Tools for Food & Nutrition Pros

    maleonard
    8 Oct 2009 | 2:30 pm
    The food folks here at NAL have recently launched a couple of new tools that should make the lives of dietitians, nutritionists, nutrition educators and food service trainers a little bit easier. The slick Interactive DRI for Healthcare Professionals calculates an individual’s daily nutrient recommendations based on the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). You enter the basics -- a person's sex, age, height, weight and activity level -- and the tool will compute his body mass index, daily calorie needs, and the recommended amounts of various macronutrients, vitamins and minerals. It's simple…

  • Reminder: Facebook Chat with Deputy Secretary Merrigan Today @ 3:45

    maleonard
    1 Oct 2009 | 12:05 pm
    Today from 3:45 to 4:15 Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will host a Facebook chat focusing on USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative. [recorded video of chat above] You can submit a question in advance of the chat or watch the conversation on USDA's Web site. And while you're riding the wave of excitement from the chat, become a Facebook fan of USDA at www.facebook.com/USDA.

  • InfoFarm Turns Two

    maleonard
    1 Oct 2009 | 8:11 am
    On October 1, 2007, InfoFarm launched, becoming the 16th blog within the Federal government. Today, I count 58, including one from USDA and another from the White House. We're happy for the company. What else are we happy for over this past year? ☆ A sweet, albeit brief, mention in Slate that links out to my April Fools' Day post:The best government blogs actually sound like blogs, too. InfoFarm, the Department of Agriculture's blog, may be the first-ever instance of government-sponsored snark. ☆ A blogger's high-five from a little blog called The Tulsa Initiative:The USDA…
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    ScienceDaily.com

  • Organic Weed Control Options For Highbush Blueberry; Pine Needle Mulch Most Effective

    3 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    Weeds are a widespread problem for the blueberry industry, particularly in young plantings when bushes are not fully established and most susceptible to competition. Weed control is even more of a challenge for growers of organic products, including organic highbush blueberry. Researchers investigated using mulches of pine needles, manure--sawdust compost, and seafood waste compost for weed control. Results indicate pine needles were the most effective mulch in suppressing weed growth.

  • Hot Microbes Cause Groundwater Cleanup Rethink

    24 Sep 2009 | 8:00 am
    Australian researchers have discovered that micro-organisms that help break down contaminants under the soil can actually get too hot for their own good.

  • Golf Course Putting Greens Show Their Age: Researchers Seek To Maintain Healthy Greens, Reduce Construction Costs

    13 Sep 2009 | 11:00 pm
    Just like the rest of us, golf courses show their age -- especially on putting greens, which experience more foot traffic than anywhere else on golf courses. Putting greens, which comprise 1.6 percent of the total area on most courses, require more intensive management than any other part of the course. To keep putting greens in top form, turfgrass experts study ways to provide proper nutrients to the root zone, a critical area for maintaining healthy turf.

  • Organic Apple Orchard Floor Maintenance: Mulching, Flaming And 'Swiss Sandwich' Techniques Analyzed

    3 Sep 2009 | 9:00 pm
    Organic apple farming starts from the ground up. Maintaining a healthy orchard floor is the key to preventing weeds and keeping soil healthy. Researchers compared three methods of orchard floor maintenance; alfalfa hay mulch treatment, applied by hand in the spring and fall; a flame burning technique in which a propane burner was used to heat the weeds and the Swiss sandwich system, which leaves a strip of vegetation to grow in the tree row.

  • Orchids And Fungi -- Partners For Life

    22 Aug 2009 | 2:00 pm
    Three Thai orchids have been found to rely on a wide range of fungi to help them take carbon out of the soil instead of producing their own organic carbon.
 
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    Ed's World : Grain Marketing

  • My brother owns 27 tractors, 2 disks, 2 balers, 2 rakes and 6 hay wagons

    usset001
    6 Nov 2009 | 7:26 am
    The first post on this blog (14 months ago) concerned my brother Albert and his hobby-gone-wild of collecting old tractors. I recently asked him about any new additions to the list, and I was a bit disappointed to learn that he had not acquired a tractor in the past year. As a consolation prize, he offered me a long list of supporting farm equipment purchased over the years. Hay Wagons (6)       Disks (2): Oliver 252 15 ft., Oliver 250 11 ft. Rakes (2): New Holland 55, New Holland 56 Balers (2): New Holland 273, New Holland 268 His balers produce square bales. Albert is strongly opposed…

  • Why no Minnesota Master Marketer Program?

    usset001
    30 Oct 2009 | 9:19 pm
    I received a good question concerning the Minnesota Master Marketer Program. It’s a question I hear from loyal past attendees who wonder when it will happen again. My response follows. “Ed, I puddle around and find a class of young fellows interested in marketing. Are there plans for another Master Marketer Program? I am located in SE Minnesota. I traveled to the first one in Mankato and picked up Elwynn Taylor in Owatonna. I found it rewarding.” Over an eight-year period (1999-2006), I led the effort to put together 11 different Master Marketer Programs, all but one in…

  • Opportunity to start pricing the 2011 crop at the MGEX

    usset001
    22 Oct 2009 | 2:02 pm
    It slipped under my radar, but the Sep’11 spring wheat contract (new crop for 2011) started trading about 10 days ago. It closed at $6.27 on the first day but, if you have not noticed, grain prices are strong. The Sep’11 contract closed today at a nice round figure of $6.50 per bushel. There are 8 contracts open as of yesterday. I am cautious about pricing grain more than one year out and I am not suggesting that you should take action just because you can. But $6.50 futures ($6 plus cash wheat) is a good enough price to make you think. Patience.

  • What’s going on with the Soft Wheat Index contract at the MGEX?

    usset001
    19 Oct 2009 | 9:37 am
    Several years ago (2002?), the Minneapolis Grain Exchange introduced a number of new futures contracts based on cash grain indexes for hard red winter wheat, soft red winter wheat, corn and soybeans. These contracts have not generated much interest until this month. As recently as September 25, there were no open contracts in the SRWI (soft red wheat index) contract. The first open contracts appeared on September 28 and, over the past 15 trading days, open interest increased every day. It jumped over 300 contracts on Friday, and open interest now stands at 1,200 contracts. Why futures…

  • Is now the right time to sell corn? The perfect Christmas gift for a stressed out grain marketer

    usset001
    14 Oct 2009 | 2:10 pm
    New on the market and just in time for the holidays: the Rationalizer, an EmoBracelet and bowl combination set. It was designed for stock traders, but it must work for the stressed-out grain seller too. Philips Electronics developed the Rationalizer to sense traders’ stress levels.  The EmoBracelet senses stress and makes an accompanying lighted bowl change colors. It flickers from yellow to red as emotions become more intense. Philips researchers found home investors (that includes you commodity traders and marketers) do not act purely rationally - behavior is influenced by…
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    FBlog

  • This Little Light of Mine...

    Stacy Thoeny
    4 Nov 2009 | 9:05 am
    In the October 25, 2009 issue of Hoard’s Dairyman, an article entitled “Every Dairy Must be a Shining Example” by Kirk Sattazahn caught my eye. As I read the article, I thought about how it applied to our dairy operation. One quotation in particular made me sit up and take notice “Having a well-managed, sanitary dairy with well cared for animals is no longer the way to get ahead in the industry; it is the ticket that allows you to be in the industry.” Wow, the more I thought about that, the more I realized how much truth there is to that concept. As an industry,…

  • Let's Get Ready To Rumble

    Heath Eisele
    2 Nov 2009 | 7:29 pm
    Last week I had the opportunity to see some of New York’s finest battle it out in front of the judges. Young Farmers from across the state came together for the state semi finals of the Discussion Meet to see who would surface as this year’s top four finalists. For those not familiar with the Young Farmer and Rancher contests, this is a great way for our members to show off their speaking skills, and test their knowledge of pressing issues that affect the agricultural industry. As I watched the contestants go head to head, I was impressed by the professionalism and confidence that…

  • In This Together

    Ana Kennedy
    1 Nov 2009 | 7:16 pm
    I recently read the following tweet on Twitter, “It makes me sad when farmers attack other farmers because of different production methods. Come on people we are in this together!!!” I couldn’t agree more. There is room for all sizes and types of agriculture. Production methods may vary, but all farmers have the same goal and that is producing the best product they can. This afternoon I purchased some corn fed beef at the grocery story. Why? Because my family raises corn-fed beef. Despite my preferences, there are other folks out there who may prefer grass-fed beef. I have…

  • In Support of "Don't CAP Our Future!"

    Garrick Hall
    28 Oct 2009 | 2:40 pm
    A recent article in the New York Times, "Farm Bureau Aims to Kill Climate Bill," takes issue with the Farm Bureau for opposing “Cap and Trade” legislation with the “Don’t CAP Our Future!” campaign. The comments posted online for this article claim that Farm Bureau is out of touch with the family farms and only concerned about large “factory farms.” I was surprised to see how many comments had been posted and that most of them were very negative towards Farm Bureau and agriculture in general. Where are the farmers and ranchers telling our story? There…

  • When Will "Reality Farming" Air on TV?

    Chris Chinn
    23 Oct 2009 | 12:42 pm
    This week "CSI: Miami" falsely portrayed agriculture to millions of viewers, implying farmers and food-industry professionals don’t care about the health or even the survival of consumers. As Tim Burrack, a farmer from Iowa, put it in a recent blog post, "It was malicious propaganda based on distortions and lies about the common practices of modern agriculture. Call it “un-reality TV.” More and more we see the media portraying agriculture in a negative light. Tim's comment about 'un-reality TV' really stuck with me. Reality TV has become overwhelmingly popular in the last…
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    FarmPolicy.com

  • Climate Legislation; Crop Insurance; Corn Use; and Food Security

    Keith Good
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:18 am
    Climate Legislation Juliet Eilperin reported in today’s Washington Post that, “Disregarding a Republican boycott, Democrats on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed legislation Thursday that would impose a mandatory curb on greenhouse gas emissions. “The move to report out the bill sponsored by Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) and the panel’s chairman, Sen. Barbara Boxer [...]

  • Climate Legislation; Ag Trade Nomination; and Animal Agriculture

    Keith Good
    5 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    Climate Legislation- General Background An update posted yesterday at C-SPAN explained that, “The Senate Environment Cmte. continues its mark up on climate change & energy legislation. Ranking Member Sen. Inhofe (R-OK) delivered prepared remarks and a letter suggesting how to proceed with the bill. GOP Cmte. Members have boycotted the mark up.” (Side Note: To listen to [...]

  • Climate Legislation; EPA Issues; Biofuels; CRP; and Ag Trade Nomination

    Keith Good
    4 Nov 2009 | 3:24 am
    Climate Legislation An update posted yesterday at CQPolitics reported that, “Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works panel tried Tuesday morning to overcome a partisan standoff that could derail a major climate bill even before the committee votes. “But despite tentative overtures by each side, the feud appears to be continuing. “Committee Republicans followed through [...]

  • Climate Legislation; Crop Insurance-Harvest; Food Safety; Animal Agriculture; and SNAP (Food Stamps)

    Keith Good
    3 Nov 2009 | 3:11 am
    Climate Legislation An update posted yesterday at CQPolitics reported that, “Partisan politics threaten to derail progress on a Senate climate change bill, even before the first committee markup. “Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee say they will carry through on threats to boycott markups on the bill, which panel Chairwoman Barbara Boxer had wanted [...]

  • Climate Legislation; Harvest-Prices; Food Security; and Animal Agriculture

    Keith Good
    2 Nov 2009 | 3:07 am
    Climate Legislation Reuters writer Richard Cowan reported on Saturday that, “All seven Republicans on the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee plan to boycott next week’s work session on a climate-change bill, an aide said on Saturday, in a move aimed at thwarting Democratic efforts to advance the controversial legislation quickly. “‘Republicans will be forced not [...]
 
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    Ranch Partners News

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  • Bison Will Soon Roam Again at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

    The preserve's General Management Plan, which dates to 2002, calls for restocking genetically pure, disease-free animals. For all practical purposes that means the initial batch of bison has to come from the large wild herd (500+ animals) at the 44-square mile Wind Cave National Park. Yellowstone genetically pure bison won’t do, since many are infected with brucellosis, and even careful screening for the disease won’t make them acceptable to nervous ranchers in the Tallgrass vicinity. Wind Cave’s bison are not only genetically pure (no cattle genes), but also free of…

  • Farmland More Valuable Than Ever

    Farm real estate prices rose 20% to 23% in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming in 2007, according to Farm Credit Services of America, an agricultural lender.

  • Everlands Meltdown Leaves Montana’s Lone Mountain Ranch in Limbo

    In 2007, with the mountain real estate boom still in full swing, Bob and Vivian Schaap, the long-time owners of the iconic Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, Mont., decided it was time to sell. After vetting several prospective buyers, they reached a deal with a nascent luxury vacation club called Everlands, which promised to keep the historic property intact even as they transformed it into a mostly members-only resort.

  • Alternative Investments - Agriculture Land

    Since most farmland investment funds are set up as private-equity vehicles, accurate return information is hard to come by. Geoff Burke, managing director at Agro-Ecological Investment Management Ltd., which manages funds that invest in farmland in New Zealand and other areas, says dairy land in New Zealand historically has appreciated at a rate of about 12% a year, while the value of mixed-crop land in the U.S. has risen at about an 8% rate.
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    EurakAlert!: Agriculture

  • Pathogen protection and virulence: Dark side of fungal membrane protein revealed

    5 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    (Virginia Tech) Researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at Virginia Tech and Montana State University have discovered a fungal protein that plays a key role in causing disease in plants and animals and which also shields the pathogen from oxidative stress.

  • AIBS publishes Darwin articles open access

    5 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    (American Institute of Biological Sciences) Two articles about Charles Darwin and his development of the theory of evolution by natural selection have been published in the AIBS journal BioScience and have been made open to the public in honor of the 150th anniversary of the publication of "On the Origin of Species." The articles are by Kevin Padian and James T. Costa. Together the articles dispel some common myths about Darwin the man and detail his efforts over many years to develop a theory to explain nature's diversity.

  • DNA barcodes: Creative new uses span health, fraud, smuggling, history, more

    5 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    (Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL)) Some 350 experts from 50 nations gathering in Mexico for their 3rd global meeting will outline the latest creative applications of DNA barcoding, including several projects related to human health, fraud, smuggling, the food chain and reconstructing environmental history.

  • Monell Center joins with CAS to host Beijing meeting on taste and smell research

    5 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    (Monell Chemical Senses Center) The Monell Center and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) are co-hosts of the Beijing International Meeting on Taste and Smell Research. Organized by Monell in collaboration with the CAS, the meeting will be the first international meeting on taste and smell to be held in China. The historic meeting will be held Nov. 15-17 at the Beijing Marriot Hotel City Wall.

  • A blue revolution: The key to future food security

    5 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm
    (International Water Management Institute) "We will need nothing less than a 'Blue Revolution' if we are to achieve food security, and avert a serious water crisis in the future," said Dr. Colin Chartres, Director General of the Sri Lanka-based International Water Management Institute. Dr. Chartres was speaking to the Economic and Finance Committee of the UN General Assembly, at a special event on "Enhancing Water Governance," convened by the UN today.
 
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    AgWired

  • Farm Bureau Helps Provide Beginning Farmer Info

    Cindy
    6 Nov 2009 | 1:36 pm
    The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is helping to support the future of agriculture by assisting in the creation of an information clearinghouse for beginning farmers. AFBF has teamed up with the Agriculture Department’s National Agricultural Library to create the National Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. The program will help those who have decided to pursue a career in agriculture and will help support Farm Bureau’s commitment to rural development. “This is a great opportunity for Farm Bureau to provide information to beginning farmers…

  • BASF Headline Harvest Report from SW Missouri

    Cindy
    6 Nov 2009 | 7:01 am
    The harvest is running about a month behind schedule just about everywhere, including Missouri, which only had half the corn crop and a third of the soybean crop harvested as of November 1. BASF sent us out on the road this week to talk to some farmers about the late harvest and we started at the top, with World Soybean Yield Champion Kip Cullers of Purdy, who says this is the latest harvest he has ever seen. “We started combining corn August 12 and its now November and I’ve never combined corn in my entire life in the month of November, we should have been done a month and a half…

  • Biomass Harvesting From Case IH

    Chuck
    6 Nov 2009 | 5:59 am
    One of the companies exhibiting their developmental corn cob harvest/collection equipment at the POET Project LIBERTY Field Day was Case IH. Representing them again this year was Sam Acker, pictured sitting in their booth during the speeches. I spoke to him to find out what’s new with Case IH in this area this year. Sam says they’re demonstrating an Axial-Flow 8120 combine and biomass harvesting system. The combine features a massive 350 bushel grain tank and has an attached biomass cart which is receives power from the combine. The cart has an adjustable cleaning system to tailor…

  • Learn How Wheat Works

    Chuck
    5 Nov 2009 | 5:54 pm
    The Wheat Foods Council has launched an interactive website called How Wheat Works. It’s purpose is to deliver a farm-to-fork education on wheat while enabling a better understanding of its nutritional value. At www.howwheatworks.com, participants of all ages can virtually grow, harvest and mill their own kernels to create their desired wheat food. For each participant, the Council will donate two pounds of flour, up to 90,000 pounds, to Operation Homefront, a non-profit that provides assistance to needy U.S. troops and their families. “How Wheat Works is an exciting educational…

  • Minnesota Farmers Feed Hungry Families

    Cindy
    5 Nov 2009 | 5:21 pm
    Farmers in Minnesota are helping to feed the hungry, even as they face their own tough times. Minnesota Farmers Helping Families, a coalition of state agriculture commodity groups, recently donated more than $115,000 in pork and dairy products to Hunger Solutions Minnesota. Governor Tim Pawlenty was joined at the state capitol by representatives from the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Minnesota Pork Board and Minnesota Milk Producers Association to announce the donation of approximately 85,000 pounds of pork and more than 36,000 pounds of cheese. “Minnesota farmers…
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    Food and Farming Canada

  • Presenting modern agriculture

    Lilian
    4 Nov 2009 | 6:29 am
    Here’s a great blog post about modern agriculture and bridging the gap between farmers and consumers. It’s written by Australian journalist Pip Courtney of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (the Aussie equivalent of the CBC here in Canada), whom I had the opportunity to meet while attending the International Federation of Agriculture Journalists (IFAJ) congress in [...]

  • Putting a face to farming

    Lilian
    3 Nov 2009 | 8:05 am
    We all eat but most of us likely give it little thought beyond worrying about calories or fat content. We certainly aren’t likely to spend a lot of time thinking about who grew that food and the work that someone somewhere put into producing it. But that’s the goal of the 2010 Faces of Farming [...]

  • Canada’s farms not suited to 100 mile diet?

    Lilian
    30 Oct 2009 | 9:09 am
    It’s harvest time in Ontario – a time of bounty and plenty for lovers of local food. But where Canadian agriculture is concerned, it’s not all about buying local and the 100-mile diet, even though everyone seems to be getting in on that action. It’s true that local food is growing in popularity and the 100-mile [...]

  • Farm animal welfare blog launched

    Lilian
    22 Oct 2009 | 6:27 am

  • Alberta Pork’s H1N1 challenges, responses

    Lilian
    21 Oct 2009 | 5:59 am
    This post is a continuation from yesterday’s H1N1 topic that explored Alberta Pork’s experiences at the centre of the H1N1 media storm earlier this year. The information is based on a presentation I attended by Lee Funke of Torque Communications at the recently held Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation conference in Edmonton. He outlined some of the [...]
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    ANR@MSU

  • MSU Extension tapped to support H1N1 flu vaccination program

    natalieebigscott
    28 Oct 2009 | 6:13 am
    EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University Extension will support Michigan’s H1N1 inoculation program by mobilizing its statewide network to reach the most vulnerable residents across Michigan. The Michigan Department of Community Health called on MSU Extension, with offices in 82 counties, to help quickly spread the word about the importance of vaccination. “The MSU Extension plays a very important role in educating our public about the seasonal and H1N1 flu and how people can help prevent the spread of the virus,” said Janet Olszewski, director of the Michigan…

  • MSU research, service programs to close if funds vetoed

    anrmsu
    26 Oct 2009 | 9:02 am
    EAST LANSING, Mich. — Scores of Michigan State University Extension offices and research stations across the state are jeopardized by a potential funding cutoff, if Gov. Jennifer Granholm blocks appropriations from reaching them. That’s the assessment of Jeffrey Armstrong, dean of MSU’s College of  Agriculture and Natural Resources, who faces shutting down 82 Extension offices, 15 agricultural and biological research stations and other bioeconomy-based research and Extension programs. If a gubernatorial line-item veto is issued for state funding of the Michigan Agricultural…

  • Michigan State University Extension 4-H Event Fuels Interest in Science

    mlavra
    20 Oct 2009 | 1:14 pm
    Would you like to make your own biofuel? During the “4-H Science Blast,” youth and families can try their hand at biofuel production and several other science-oriented activities from 9 a.m. to noon, October 31 at Michigan State University’s (MSU) Agriculture Hall Atrium. Rocketry is just one of the 4-H SET programs in which youth can participate. In addition to turning common substances into biofuel, visitors will also use wind and leg power to create electricity (and learn about energy conservation), command a robot and learn how they are built, learn how a group of Saginaw…

  • Michigan State University Product Center Teams with L&L Food Centers to Reward Michigan Entrepreneurs

    natalieebigscott
    15 Oct 2009 | 2:11 pm
    Local food will take center stage during the Making it in Michigan conference, presented by the Michigan State University (MSU) Product Center on Nov. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lansing Center. Two winning food entrepreneurs will earn more than bragging rights at this year’s event. L&L Food Centers will award two Michigan food products coveted shelf space in their eight mid-Michigan grocery stores as part of the third annual MSU Product Center specialty food show. “L&L is a Lansing company,” said Rick Zahm, L&L Food Centers general manager.  “We’ve been here…

  • Demmer Center takes aim at novices as well as experienced shooters.

    Francie_One
    9 Oct 2009 | 2:00 pm
    Demmer Center The Oct. 5 opening of the John and Marnie Demmer Shooting Sports Education and Training Center on the MSU campus has been much anticipated in local sports shooting circles since ground was broken July 18, 2008. Excitement was obvious at the open house for the new center on Oct. 2. That, I had anticipated – what’s not to love for archery and ballistic enthusiasts?  The $3.5 million, 24,000-square-foot facility is one of the largest indoor shooting facilities in the Midwest, offering two indoor ranges and three outdoor archery ranges. The two indoor ranges accommodate…
 
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    Cooking Up A Story

  • Genesis of the USDA’s National Organic Program

    Cooking Up A Story
    4 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    How the Federal Government came to regulate the organic industry My previous column on the history of organic agriculture wrapped up with a look at the burgeoning national market that emerged during the 1980’s. Counterculture back-to-the-landers and die-hard traditionalist farmers were raising crops and livestock without agro-chemicals and growing numbers of consumers were eager to buy, even when the produce had a few spots. Organic agriculture was becoming pretty big business, considering that the people making it happen had started out with little more than determination. The organic…

  • Novella Carpenter e Interview

    Cooking Up A Story
    3 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    Fall is in full swing and Winter isn’t far beyond, I’ve been enjoying local apples, squash and weekly pots of soup. While this time of year usually encourages folks to slow down a bit I hardly have a moment to myself but was thrilled when I was able to recently carve out a little time to read the book Farm City by Urban Farmer Novella Carpenter. And even more excited when Ms. Carpenter agreed to do a little e-interview for us here at Cooking Up a Story. Farm City tells the story of how Novella, a child of Hippie parents discovered her own inner hippie by becoming an Urban Homesteader in…

  • The Awesome Whisk

    Cooking Up A Story
    2 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    Cooking Up a Story: Stories They are found in almost every kitchen, but surprisingly there’s only one U.S. manufacturer. Follow us inside the Best Manufacturers plant for a rare visit to see how a whisk is made. A factory of whisks. Wire, wire everywhere. How do they get those wires to stay in place and not come popping out. I was curious. I love to see how things are made. Best Manufacturing Plant, Portland OregonTwo brothers, John and Jeff Merrifield, run the place. John gave me a quick tour and explained each station. He then left me on my own as I roamed around and got, what I call,…

  • Manual Fruit Tree Pollination In Japan

    Cooking Up A Story
    28 Oct 2009 | 4:00 am
    My wife and I have traveled around the globe for the last 5 months and filmed our experiences within the WWOOF! organizations of France, Japan, Italy, and India, and are working on a feature film documenting this journey. “WWOOF! The Movie” is about a collective of organizations that go by the acronym WWOOF: World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. This clip is the first of a three-part segment about manual pollination in Japan. I’m editing this series specifically for web release, but it will also appear in “WWOOF! The Movie” in the full context of our 10-day stay with…

  • A New Family Farmer

    Cooking Up A Story
    26 Oct 2009 | 4:00 am
    Cooking Up a Story: Stories *Five million family farms have been lost since the 1930’s. As the population of family farmers continues to age, there is also a critical shortage of young farmers to take their place. Michael Paine is a rare breed; he doesn’t come from a farming family, and he’s relatively young. His story is a good example of the unique challenges facing those who wish to take up farming. I read this in my local paper awhile back: “Oregon is one of the only bright spots in the country where we’ve got young farmers coming into the business…”. Hmmm, I…
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    Alpaca Farm Girl

  • Fiber Arts Friday – Fortitude

    Katy
    5 Nov 2009 | 6:53 pm
    Hand-dyed Alpacafarmgirl yarn knitted by Janet Metzger Practice. Practice. Practice. Whether it’s learning to play an instrument, speak a new language, or learn a fiber art skill – it takes the p-word. This can be a challenge. Yes, the fiber/yarn/supplies are fabulous. You love them. You’re dying to learn a new skill. You can’t wait to create that special project… But what happens when you don’t pick it up easily or quickly? Or you get frustrated? What do you do? How do you handle your “stuckness”? Those who know me know that I struggle with…

  • The New Kitten

    Katy
    5 Nov 2009 | 7:04 am
    Our newest addition snuggles with her dad Lucky for me I was out of town at the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair.  That way I could not be blamed for bringing yet another animal into our home. We already have 3 cats. I’m allergic to cats. Yet I love them. All were rescued or were stray kittens who found us. Here’s the story as it was told to me… It was Friday night. My oldest child was being dropped off after seeing a play, and her friends wanted to take a quick peek at the alpacas. They went into the alpaca boys’ barn, and a tiny kitten appeared of the darkness meowing…

  • Beautiful Day on the Alpaca Farm

    Katy
    3 Nov 2009 | 11:11 pm
    Fall is a wonderful time of year for alpacas on our farm. Participating in Wordless Wednesdays.

  • Sheep Incognito

    Katy
    3 Nov 2009 | 8:52 am
    I met them on Twitter. Then had a chance to meet them in person at SAFF. “Sheep Incognito” is an art company comprised of the wonderful and funny artist Conni Togel and her husband, Peter, who takes care of the marketing side of things. They are both delightful, and it comes through in the artwork. This cute painting hangs sideways for a reason. It reflects its caption. Yes, I did try to straighten it before I realized this. (how embarrassing. lol) Visit their website to see more fabulous, humorous sheep artwork. They even have a great calendar for 2010. Hear that, Santa? And you…

  • Happy Halloween

    Katy
    31 Oct 2009 | 9:32 am
    Halloween 2008
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    Agriculture Guide

  • Greenhouse Cold Frames

    Ahmet Korkmaz
    17 Oct 2009 | 1:28 am
    The scientific study has said that the universe expands day by day. Literally it may mean the abiotic component but the actual fact is that it is shrinking. Actually speaking the population of man in this universe is increasing greatly. Man being the one to create problem in every aspect of the ecosystem always tries to find an alternative to compensate the loss. Greenhouse is one such beautiful finding made by man to grow plants effectively. Greenhouse, by the name it suggests that it is a house for growing the green. Many would be familiar of the phrase, “Grow green or else we ruin”.

  • Small Greenhouses UK

    Ahmet Korkmaz
    16 Oct 2009 | 11:19 am
    In today’s world wherever you go the slogans depicted here and there is, go the green way, save tree save future and so on. The most popular phrase that everyone would have experienced is, “you aren’t the last human being to survive in this world”. This clearly sets out the message to save the future. So as an early wake up call, preparations for the future have to be made. Greenhouses have come at right time, which can be implemented in the future even if there is no space available to cultivate the plants. Greenhouse concept: What is this greenhouse concept? Greenhouse is nothing…

  • Greenhouse Heater

    Ahmet Korkmaz
    16 Oct 2009 | 12:00 am
    The climatic conditions of all the areas throughout the world are drastically changing. The reasons for this sudden change weather are many. Some of them are: Depletion of the ozone layer. Increased greenhouse gases. Over pollution. Intake of high energy from outer space. Due to these reasons there has been a situation of irreversible climatic change that has occurred to our mother earth. The past procedures what we followed for many things are not possible on today’s date. So a new approach to the existing procedure must be followed in order to survive in this world. This case is also…

  • Perfect Small Greenhouse

    Ahmet Korkmaz
    15 Oct 2009 | 6:19 am
    Some of the people have the habit of safeguard the plants using creating the garden. Create a garden is not an easy task, because many factors are involved in it. The first prime factor for making a garden is adequate space. A small garden didn’t help that much compare to a huge garden. Selecting a suitable location is very important for gardening. In ancient days people have more land in their villages, so it is easy to make a garden in that huge place. Due to the economical development and matured civilization all people like to live a city life. City is always having of bunch of house in…

  • A Compact Greenhouse

    Ahmet Korkmaz
    15 Oct 2009 | 6:18 am
    It is very easy to destroy the object, but creating the product is a tough process. In olden days we should not go for any growing process for plants. Basically most of the plants develop of grow very slowly. The growing nature of all parts resembles some curve. That curve is called S curve. In the initial stage of plant it grows very slowly compare to its life. At the middle stage the growth of the plant is constant. It should not deviate from the annual growth size during the middle stage. The final stage is considered as the peak stage. The growth of the plant is very rapid compare to the…
 
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    Advocates for Agriculture

  • Promoting Animal Research

    5 Nov 2009 | 8:55 am
    Science takes case for animal research to the peopleBy JIM SPENCER, Star TribuneNovember 4, 2009"Ever had leprosy? Thanks to animal research, you won't."That message, emblazoned on 15 billboards around the Twin Cities, strikes at the heart of a largely hidden but heated health care battle being waged beyond the national debate over access to medical care.The billboards are part of a new, aggressive national push by biomedical researchers to promote and defend the use of animals to test drugs and medical devices. Across the country, the campaign is also playing out on cable TV commercials,…

  • MN Farmers Donate Food To Communities

    5 Nov 2009 | 8:48 am
    State farmers donate pork and dairy products to Minnesota food shelvesPine JournalPublished: 11/03/2009 SAINT PAUL, MN, October 30, 2009 – Minnesota Farmers Helping Families, a coalition of state agriculture commodity groups, announced today a donation of more than $115,000 in pork and dairy products to Hunger Solutions Minnesota, a comprehensive hunger relief organization.At a news conference hosted by Governor Tim Pawlenty at the state capitol, representatives from the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Minnesota Pork Board and Minnesota Milk Producers Association…

  • The Estate Tax Relief Act, HR 3905

    5 Nov 2009 | 8:45 am
    Cattle raisers urge Congress to pass estate tax reformThe CherokeeanNov 4, 2009FORT WORTH, TEXAS - The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) sent letters to members of Congress this week urging them to pass H.R. 3905, the Estate Tax Relief Act of 2009. This legislation would provide relief in the tax code from the estate tax, also known as the "death tax", for Texas ranchers, property owners and small business owners. Over a 10-year period, H.R. 3905 would increase the estate tax exemption to $5 million while decreasing the tax rate from 55 percent to 35 percent.TSCRA…

  • Ohio's Issue 2 Passes

    4 Nov 2009 | 8:36 am
    Measure's Passage Clears Way For Farm BoardPanel Would Oversee Ohio Livestock CarePOSTED: 10:44 pm EST November 3, 2009UPDATED: 12:31 am EST November 4, 2009CINCINNATI -- Ohio voters approved a ballot measure Tuesday that would create a board to oversee livestock care.Supporters said Issue 2 would give rural farmers a blueprint for battling animal welfare groups intent on outlawing cramped cages for chickens and hogs.Agriculture industry leaders pushed the issue onto the state ballot, hoping to thwart an attempt by animal rights activists who were threatening to force farmers to change how…

  • Ag's Carbon Footprint Getting Lighter and Lighter

    4 Nov 2009 | 8:32 am
    Carbon footprint of cattle shrinks with productivityBy Drovers news source Tuesday, November 03, 2009Discussion of the environmental impact of animal agriculture is very different when you talk in terms of productivity instead of individual animals, according to one of the newest members of the Washington State University Department of Animal Sciences.“You can’t just talk about ‘the cow,’” said Jude Capper, assistant professor of animal science. “We have to think about it on an output basis, whether it’s milk, beef, pork or poultry. From 1944 to 2007, the carbon footprint of the…
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    Pava news

  • PAVA increases customer base in eastern regions of Russia

    4 Nov 2009 | 11:46 pm
    After the series of re-organizational events and changes in strategy – both in regard to regions and individual customers –grain processor PAVA placed significant emphasis on establishing contacts with Russian manufacturers of bakery, confectionery and pasta. According to the specialists of PAVA Regional Sales Department, the best results were demonstrated in the Primorie Territory, Irkutsk and Magadan regions. PAVA ships large consignments of first-grade flour to baking plants and smaller bakeries of these regions on a monthly basis. Besides, regional manufacturers have experimented with…

  • Grain processor PAVA certifies milling branches

    2 Nov 2009 | 9:04 pm
    After the re-organizational campaign, when production units of Russian grain processor PAVA were transformed into affiliate structures, the company-wide re-certification has been conducted proving yet again its high industry professionalism and competitive edge. Currently, PAVA specialists co-operate with national certification bodies which audit and approve quality competence of the company branches in the Altay and Krasnoyarsk regions. Three milling plants of PAVA – Rebrikha, Mikhailovsky and Achinsk – process over 400,000 of wheat annually to manufacture flour and cereals of various…

  • PAVA regional sales rise up after a series of promo-actions

    29 Oct 2009 | 12:42 am
    PAVA, one of the largest grain processors in Russia, undertook a sales promotion effort in October covering a number of regions. The promo-action was conducted in retail networks, and sought to bring customer attention to “Altay-Batyushka” flour in 2 kg package. The effect of the campaign proved to be better than expected. “We are pleased with results of the in-store pallet layouts – in Tver region, for instance, the sales grew 5 times following heightened consumer demand for “Altay-Batyushka” flour. In a few months time, we will be able to give the final estimate of the promo…

  • PAVA conducted talks with Japanese partners

    26 Oct 2009 | 8:40 pm
    In end-October, OJSC PAVA negotiated with one of the largest Japanese corporations, following the company’s policy to expand international partnerships. The meeting was held in Barnaul, the Altay Territory, where PAVA headquarter is located. Besides, 13 representatives of the Japanese delegation made a visit to Rebrikha mill (the Altay territory), one of the company’s production branches. The agenda of the meeting included a number of issues: potential trading co-operation, strategic and financial partnerships regarding PAVA’s new projects. Current business strategy of the Altay grain…

  • PAVA upgrades technology of flour and semolina selection

    22 Oct 2009 | 9:28 pm
    Grain processing company PAVA is working on improvement offlour and semolina selection technology on Rebrikha, Mikhailovsky and Achinsk mills. The innovations guarantee a steadily high product quality, which positions the company as a trusted and reliable partner. “Today, the tightly competitive flour market imposes tough conditions on its players. The business credentials are determined by the client’s confidence in the quality of supplied products, so we closely monitor their baking parameters”, says Andrey Ananin, PAVA Director General.
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    AgroGuru

  • Permanence is Fiction

    Daniel Schellenberg
    29 Oct 2009 | 9:11 pm
    We tend to seek a false sense of security. The idea that all things will be permanent in our lives is fiction.  There must be countless examples in your life where you desired for something to be permanent; perhaps a relationship, a job or plain happiness.  The facts are what we want requires hard work and even then there is no guarantee for permanence. You might be thinking, “Hey Daniel, why are you getting all philosophical on us?  Aren’t you supposed to be informing us about food, farming and the environment?”  What does permanence have to do with agriculture…

  • Rancher Jeff Fowle Speaks

    Daniel Schellenberg
    6 Oct 2009 | 5:00 am
    Jeff Fowle is a fourth generation family farmer and rancher from Etna, California. His latest blog post entitled “Endangered Species Act: Are We In Need Of Protection Now?” is a great summation of the impact public regulations have on private landowners. Protection for threatened and endangered species is important but, regulations often make it difficult to do the right thing. Jeff is explicit in his position that regulations designed to protect certain species do not consider the impact on the rural economy and can lead to unintended consequences. “Even though…

  • Hello Readers

    Daniel Schellenberg
    1 Oct 2009 | 3:00 am
    Can you believe it is October already?  The summer is long gone and the smell of autumn is in the air.  Now is definitely the time to visit your local farmer’s market and bring home the bounty of the season. I want my readers to know that I will transition to different newsletter software powered by AWeber.  The service is opt-in only so, you will have to sign up and confirm to avoid missing any great articles and commentary on food, farming and the environment. Click on agroguru.org/signup to get started.
 
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