Category Archives: News

A California judge has ordered the uprooting of genetically modified sugar beets, citing a risk for environmental harm. In a lawsuit filed by environmental groups, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White ruled that the USDA’s decision in September to allow planting … Continue reading →

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for December. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.250, which is unchanged from November, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and … Continue reading →

Producers of rice, upland cotton, soybeans and sweet potatoes have a little more than a week to apply for assistance for 2009 losses under the Crop Assistance Program. Nearly $550 million in disaster assistance is available for eligible losses due … Continue reading →

States in the Great Lakes region have seen a 10 percent increase in farmland values in the third quarter of 2010. Farmland values in Iowa increased 13 percent compared to the same quarter last year while Indian land values went … Continue reading →

Farm Service Agency programs and the financial support they provide to farmers are important to Montana residents in rural areas, according to the Montana Farmers Union. The group will hold two meetings — Dec. 15 and 16 — in Browning … Continue reading →

A biotechnology company in Canada has asked USDA to approve a genetically modified apple that won’t turn brown once sliced. The move would help lower the cost of producing fresh apple slices, generally used in kid’s lunchboxes, and increase the … Continue reading →

A strong harvest has resulted in a record number of grain storage licenses this year in North Dakota. According to state regulators, nearly 406 million bushels of storage have been licensed, up from the record 343 million set in 2007. … Continue reading →

The Kansas Farm Service Agency wants more women and minority farmers involved with farm programs. So they are reaching out to inform underrepresented groups about available FSA resources. “We’re in the business of helping our farmers and ranchers—all of them,” … Continue reading →

Nearly $18 million is being made available to private forest landowners to help restore land damaged by natural disasters. “Restoration activities promote rural resiliency, forest health and support sustainable economic development,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The Obama Administration is … Continue reading →

Tannins, generally known for their role in making quality red wine, could also be beneficial for soils, forests and farmland, according to USDA researchers. A four-year project by the USDA Agricultureal Research Service has shown tannins to be important components of … Continue reading →