Penn State researchers have grown and tested an experimental sugar beet that can be used to produce ethanol. Known as the “energy beet,” the root crop is showing potential to boost a $93 million ethanol plant proposed for Rapho Township in Pennsylvania. The plant would be fueled by beets grown on nearly 15,000 acres. Lancaster County farmers, producers in surrounding counties as well as farms in Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey will be sought to grow the beets. (Lancaster Newspapers) Read more.

Soybean production is expected to hit record levels according to a USDA Crop Production report released today. Based on the report, soybean yield is expected to average 44.4 bushels per acre, up 0.4 bushels from 2009. If the estimate is met, it will be the highest yield on record. Soybean producers are expected to harvest a record 76.8 million acres. Read more.

USDA soon will be conducting face-to-face interviews with corn and potato producers to learn about their production practices. Every year the Agricultural Resource Management Survey gathers data on farmers’ chemical use, pest management and irrigation practices for corn and potatoes. This is the first time the survey will focus on corn or potato production and the first time it has looked at organic corn production. Interviews will be held with nearly 7,500 growers nationwide. Read more.

A fungus and virus working together could be the cause of a collapse in bee colonies over the past several years. Since 2006, about 20 to 40 percent of bee colonies in the U.S. have been dying off. Several causes of colony collapse have been investigated, but collaboration between Army scientists and researchers at the University of Montana revealed that a virus-fungus, which was present in each of the killed colony groups studied, is the possible culprit. Separately, the virus and fungus can do no harm, but together, they are lethal. (New York Times) Read more.

Jim Gwinn, chief information officer for the Farm Service Agency will be a guest on Federal News Radio today, discussing several ongoing technology projects, including Modernize and Innovate the Delivery of Agricultural Systems (MIDAS). Gwinn has been CIO for 18 months and has taken a mission-first approach to upgrading FSA’s technology by sending teams of software developers to county offices to get a better understanding of the environment in which field employees’ work. (Federal News Radio) Learn more.

Seventeen states will receive a portion of the $11.76 million grant to help improve access to private lands for recreation through the USDA Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program. The program encourages owners of privately held farm, ranch or forest land to voluntarily give hunters, fishermen and recreational outdoor enthusiasts access to their land for enjoyment. Funding may be used to provide rental payments and other incentives to land owners. Learn more.

Beginning this month, USDA will issue about $1.6 billion in annual Conservation Reserve Program rental payments and $3.8 billion in 2010 direct payments. The funds are generally issued during the first month of the new fiscal year. “These funds support the agricultural economy and responsible stewardship of America’s production acreage,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Read more.