Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack defended the use of corn for ethanol yesterday, telling critics they are shortchanging American agriculture. “We’re trapped in a debate that leads us down the road of shortchanging American agriculture rather than recognizing its enormous capabilities,” said Vilsack. Speaking before the annual meeting of the North American Agriculture Journalists, Vilsack added that proper investment can help farmers meet export, food, fuel, feed and fiber needs. Read more (Bloomberg).

Corn planting has begun for farmers in 10 of the 18 top corn producing states, according to a USDA Crop Progress report released Monday. Based on the report, Texas is ahead of most states with 55 percent of its corn in the ground, followed by North Carolina with 17 percent and Missouri and Tennessee with 10 percent. Less than half of the top 15 cotton producing states have started planting. Arizona got a jump start with 20 percent of its cotton acreage planted, followed by California with 15 percent and Texas with 11 percent. View the report.

 
The Texas wildfires that have reportedly burned nearly 900,000 acres are taking their toll on area farmers and ranchers. According to several USDA officials in Texas, producers have reported cutting fences to let cattle loose and putting down cattle and horses that have been severely burned. State and local fire response teams have responded to 5,297 fires, and more than 600 structures have been lost.

New Mexico has seen it smallest chile crop in nearly 37 years. About 8,700 acres of chilies were harvested across the state, a decline of 29.3 percent from last year. The crop was valued at $41.6 million in 2010. Officials blame the decline on an increase of foreign chile competition. New Mexico hasn’t seen a chile crop this low since 1973. Read more (Las Cruces Sun-News).

USDA is providing financial incentives to gas stations willing to install pumps that accept a higher blend of ethanol. In an announcement made today by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the Rural Energy for American Program will provide financial assistance to gas station owners who install E-85 pumps. E-85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. The current blend is only 10 percent ethanol. According to Vilsack, the department is expected to ensure 10,000 flex fuel pumps are available across the country within the next five years. Learn more.

The Minneapolis zoning and planning committee has given the green light for farmers to turn vacant lots into commercial farms. The city, which is home to community gardens and farmers markets, did not have set definitions or regulations for land used to grow and sell food. The Urban Agriculture Policy Plan includes recommendations to allow small, one-plot farms and allows homeowners to grow food in their front yards. Read more (Minnesota Public Radio).

More than $8 million in disaster assistance is available to producers of livestock, honeybee and farm-raised fish who have suffered losses in 2010 due to disease, adverse weather or other conditions. The aid, which will come from the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), includes $5 million to compensate beekeepers for 2010 losses. “A healthy livestock, honeybee and fish industry is vital to America’s food supply and economy.”

Farmers in the Dust Bowl along with neighboring states are suffering through a severe drought that is impacting crops from the Louisiana Gulf Coast to Colorado. A drought this severe has not been seen in nearly 80 years. Wheat farmers have been hit hard as the drought has withered crops producers were expecting to harvest in June. Weather forecasters said the drought is expected to get worse in Texas. From last October through February 2010 the state has only seen 4.7 inches of rain compared to 9.7 inches.  Read more (MSNBC).

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for April 2011. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.250, which is unchanged from March 2011, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during March is 1.250, unchanged from last month. Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans and discount rates for the Tobacco Transition Payment Program also are available. Read more.