Author Archives: tanya brown

Demand Increases for Corn to Make Ethanol

Posted on February 10, 2010 by tanya brown

Demand for corn to make ethanol is expected to increase by 17 percent, according to a report by USDA. Ethanol producers are estimated to use 4.3 billion bushels of corn this year, which is down from last month’s estimate of … Continue reading →

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Orange Production Down 3 Percent; Florida Freeze Damage to Be Assessed Through March

Posted on February 9, 2010 by tanya brown

Orange production is down three percent from Jan. 1, according to a report released today by the National Agriculture Statistics Service. Florida orange totals are down four percent from last month’s report and 21 percent lower from numbers reported for … Continue reading →

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January Cold Snap May Cost Florida Producers $450 Million

Posted on February 9, 2010 by tanya brown

Below freezing temperatures may have cost Florida farmers more than $450 million, according to a spokesman for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. State officials estimate that 632,000 boxes of oranges along with 105,000 boxes of grapefruit and … Continue reading →

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It’s Not Chicken-Flavored Soy; It’s Chicken Made From Soybeans

Posted on February 5, 2010 by tanya brown

A University of Missouri professor has created chicken from soybeans. Unlike other dining delicacies that may taste like chicken, this soy product feels, tastes and simulates the fibrous texture of a chicken breast.  

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Virginia Ag Leaders Gather for Jobs Roundtable Discussion

Posted on February 5, 2010 by tanya brown

In an effort to create jobs and spur economic development, more than 30 community leaders from across Virginia met last week on the Eastern Shore of the state to discuss and share ideas during a Jobs and Economic Roundtable.

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New Framework Developed for Livestock Tracking Program

Posted on February 5, 2010 by tanya brown

Comments from farmers and ranchers have moved USDA to develop a new, flexible framework for an animal disease tracking system. The original system, which was dropped by the Obama administration due to industry criticism, assigned each animal a unique identification … Continue reading →

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USDA Farm Service Agency: Making a Difference in the Cattle Industry

Posted on February 5, 2010 by tanya brown

  More than 6,000 individuals representing all facets of the cattle industry came together in San Antonio for the 2010 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show last week. The event is the largest of its … Continue reading →

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Afghans Would Rather Farm Than Fight Says Agriculture Secretary Vilsack

Posted on February 4, 2010 by tanya brown

Highlighting a U.S. focus on farming jobs to lure Afghans from the battlefield and curtail the opium trade, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated that Afghans would rather farm than fight. The statement comes after a visit to Afghanistan last month … Continue reading →

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New Online Food Directory Links Farmers with Buyers

Posted on February 4, 2010 by tanya brown

A new online directory connects food producers with buyers. Food Hub connects farmers with crops to sell to restaurant owners, caterers, grocery chains and other food producers. Supported by federal funds given to the Oregon and Washington State departments of … Continue reading →

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First Ever Organic Farm Data Released by USDA

Posted on February 4, 2010 by tanya brown

A report released yesterday by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service shows that organic farms and ranches have higher average sales and production expenses than U.S. farms overall. The 2008 Organic Production Survey — which is the first wide-scale survey … Continue reading →

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