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 opportunities, APHIS has determined that Roundup Ready alfalfa is as safe as traditionally bred alfalfa," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Read more or review the FAQs.

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 by Americans. Farmers, along with dairy industry officials said the testing could force them to dump millions of gallons of milk while waiting for results. The testing, which was slated to start this month, has been postponed. (New York Times) Read more.

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 taxpayer money and giving it to the dead, the government is legally obligated to make payments to farmers’ survivors, estates, partnerships and other business entities if the farmers qualified for the benefit before dying. (Associated Press) Read more.

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 is estimated at 9.21 billion pounds, down 3 percent from 2009, while grape production is estimated at 6.85 million tons, down 6 percent from the revised 2009 crop estimate. Utilized peach production is up 5 percent from the previous year, while pear production is down 16 percent. Review the report.

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 pay the fine during a January court appearance. Prosecutors dropped the remaining 822 cruelty counts in exchange for his plea. (Centre Daily6 Times) Read more.

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 reviewing test data from the Department of Energy regarding E15’s effects on emissions. “Recently completed testing and data analysis show that E15 does not harm emissions control equipment in newer cars and light trucks,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Wherever sound science and the law support steps to allow more home-grown fuels in America’s vehicles, this administration takes those steps.” Learn more.

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, creating modest growth in the industry. The dairy industry saw a turnaround in 2010 as milk prices rose to $16.30 per 100 pounds. The average farmer needs to make at least $16 to break even, the report said. Two years of growth is needed to help farmers pull themselves from a mountain of debt created when 2009 prices plummeted to $12. (The Associated Press) Read more.

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 Corn Growers Associations. “It’s not as bad and as dire as we thought it was.” The research also found that producers may be better off calling themselves farmers instead of growers. About 90 percent of respondents held farmers in high esteem, compared to 67 percent of respondents who held growers in high esteem. Some producers for years have attempted to forego the title “farmer” and take on “grower” in order to be perceived in a more positive light. (Grand Forks Herald) Read more.

Milk production in 23 major states jumped to15 billion pounds last month, an increase of 2.8 percent from last year’s figures, according to a USDA report. Production per cow averaged 1,794 pounds in last December, which is 33 pounds higher than December 2009. Dairy farmers increased their herd size within the past year as the number of milk cows went up by 74,000 heads, totaling 8.39 million. Read the report.

Former President Bill Clinton and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, will be the distinguished guest speakers during the 2011 Agricultural Outlook Forum plenary session. The forum, which will be held Feb. 24-25 in Arlington, Va., will also feature experts in 25 breakout sessions discussing topical issues related to risk management, renewable energy, rural communities, and foreign trade and domestic markets. Early bird registration for the forum ends Jan. 21. After that date, participants must register at the regular rate. Learn more or register today.