Author Archives: tanya brown

Producers interested in offering land in an effort to protect millions of acres of topsoil from erosion and improve the nation’s natural resources, will be given the opportunity in March. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the next general sign-up … Continue reading →

Payments are now being issued for quota holders and producers in the Tobacco Transition Payment Program (TTPP). The program, which began in 2005, ends in 2014 and provides 10 equal annual payments to quota holders and producers. Quota holders also … Continue reading →

USDA has granted non-regulated status for alfalfa that has been genetically engineered to be resistant to the commercial herbicide Roundup. "After conducting a thorough and transparent examination of alfalfa through a multi-alternative environmental impact statement (EIS) and several public comment … Continue reading →

Dairy farmers are protesting a plan by the Food and Drug Administration to test milk from cows that may be tainted with illegal levels of antibiotics. FDA officials are concerned that the level of antibiotics could contaminate the milk consumed … Continue reading →

A 2007 report conducted by the Government Accountability Office at the request of Iowa Senator Charles Grassley caused public concern when it showed more than $1 billion in farm subsidies were given to dead farmers. Despite the concern about using … Continue reading →

The utilized production of noncitrus fruit crops totaled 17.0 million tons, a 6 percent decrease from 2009 figures, according to a report by the USDA. Despite the decline, the value of the crops increased by 1 percent. Utilized apple production … Continue reading →

A Pennsylvania man who allowed 832 pigs to die on his Warfordsburg farm last year has been ordered to pay $2,500 in fines. Daniel Lee Clark, Sr., pleaded guilty to 10 counts of cruelty to animals and was ordered to … Continue reading →

EPA has approved the use of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol to be sold and used in model year 2001-06 cars and light trucks. The agency lifted a waiver prohibiting E15 from being used in those model year vehicles after … Continue reading →

Dairy experts expect 2011 to be another year of growth for dairy farmers still recovering from the devastation of 2009. According to a report by Wisconsin researchers, an increase in the demand for milk will help drive sales and revenue, … Continue reading →

A survey conducted for the National Corn Growers Association shows that the image of farmers is more positive than once thought. “Farmers overwhelmingly are held in high esteem,” by urban residents, said Tom Lilja, executive director of the North Dakota … Continue reading →