States that rely on agriculture to maintain their economy also have the lowest unemployment rate, according to an article in Business Insider. Eight states that have unemployment levels below the 9.5 percent national average share the agricultural common denominator, which helps keep residents working. According to the article, North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate at 3.6 percent, followed by South Dakota with 4.5 percent. Nebraska comes in third at 4.7 percent, followed by New Hampshire at 5.8 percent. (Business Insider) Read more.

The USDA Farm Service Agency has launched a program today that will give credit to farm owners to implement land preservation techniques that will conserve natural resources. The Conservation Loan program will offer direct loans for up to $300,000 and guaranteed loans for up to $1,112,000. The funds can be used install conservation structures, improve permanent pastures or adapt other emerging or existing conservation practices, techniques or technologies. Learn more.

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for September. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.250, which is unchanged from August, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans dispersed during September 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. 

The condition of U.S. corn and soybean crops remained unchanged from last week, according to the USDA Crop Progress report released this week. According to the report, 70 percent of the corn crop was in good or excellent condition, with 17 percent of the crop reaching maturity. About 64 percent of the soybean crop was rated to be in good or excellent condition. Review the report.

A proposed bill introduced by State Senator Daniel Squadron could require New York farmers to vaccinate their hens against salmonella. Once all farmers implement the practice, the cost would only be one penny per dozen eggs, according to legislators. Salmonella vaccination in chickens has been effective in other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, where salmonella cases were reduced by 96 percent. (WBNG-TV) Read more.

The USDA Risk Management Agency released three reports that provide the framework for improvements to crop insurance programs available to producers of certified organic crops. According to a press release, USDA will issue organic price elections for the 2011 crop year for cotton, corn, soybeans and processing tomatoes. “USDA is working to provide producers of organic crops with improved opportunities and resources,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The release of these reports and RMA’s announcement of the price election marks another step in that continuing effort.” Learn more.

More than 1,000 people came to the University of Colorado today to discuss competition in the livestock industry. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack along with Attorney General Eric Holder hosted the workshop — the fourth in a series of competition workshops held across the country. In his remarks, Vilsack expressed a need for fairness in livestock marketing, which he said is key to renewing rural America. According to Deputy Attorney General for Antitrust Christine Varney, the main concern heard at all four of the workshops is that there are issues of unfairness and “the system is broken,” she said. (Read more: Feedstuffs, Cattlenetwork, Associated Press).

Farmers in West Virginia are suffering from a severe drought that is reducing the value of their apples and peaches, and causing damage to corn, pasture and soybeans. The topsoil moisture is considered more than 50 percent drier than usual, according to USDA. The area has received about 50 percent of its normal rainfall within the past 30 days and even less in the past 90 days. This is one of the worst droughts residents have seen since 1999. (The Journal) Read more.  

USDA has expanded its Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program in Indiana to include 26,250 acres made available to landowners in 11 watersheds in all or portions of 65 counties. The CREP program — which opens today for producer sign-up — is part of the Conservation Reserve Program that allows producers to voluntarily restore riparian buffers and wetland areas through financial aid and technical assistance, as well as helping to reduce sediment and nutrient run-off and enhancing wildlife habitat. Learn more.