A team of researchers have sequenced the majority of the soybean genome, providing a look into how the legume crop converts sunlight, water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen into protein and oil. The results could lead to soybeans that contain more protein and oil, which are the building blocks for many consumer products. Read more.
When Nancy Glynn joined the Farm Service Agency and participated in the Combined Federal Campaign for the first time, she had no idea that seven years later she would be one of the largest contributors in FSA.
“I assumed everyone gave to the CFC,” said Glynn, a budget analyst in the Office of Budget and Finance.
But not everyone donates six percent of their salary to 25 organizations each year for seven consecutive years. For that feat, Glynn stands alone and was recognized last week by Undersecretary Jim Miller, FSA Administrator Jonathan Coppess and CFC Coordinator Robert Haughton for her generosity.
Generally, citrus is not a focal point of the USDA monthly crop report, but with the recent Florida freeze many are wondering what impact the weather will have on the citrus crop. According to reporter Rob Bain, the January report released this week holds data from December 2009. Those wanting to know the impact of the freeze on Florida citrus will have to wait for the February crop report.
Farmers produced record-breaking corn and soybean crops in 2009, according to final production numbers released today by USDA. The soybean crop broke records for planted and harvested area as well as for yield and production, while corn yields reached an all-time high at 165.2 bushels per acre. (Feedstuffs) Read more.
Florida’s citrus and vegetable crops have been the focus of a recent deep freeze blanketing the South, but according to USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey, the effects can be felt as far west as Louisiana and Texas.
A testing system that can be used to genetically indicate cattle growth rates, disease resistance, milk productivity, and health and longevity has been purchased by the USDA Agricultural Research Service. The test, developed by San Francisco-based Fluidigm Corp., will help manage more than 9 million dairy cows and 35 million beef cattle in the United States. (SF Business Times) Read more.
More education, an increase in government programs and the expansion of broadband to rural areas, were
some of the concerns discussed during the tri-state roundtable forum sponsored by the USDA Farm Service Agency. The forum — which was held last Saturday in St. Louis — gave residents and business owners in Missouri, Iowa and Illinois an opportunity to discuss how to accelerate job growth in rural America. About 175 people attended the discussion, including Missouri elected officials, representatives from 4-H, agribusinesses and community colleges. The forum was held as an extension of the Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth held by President Obama on Dec. 3.
The Canadian cold front that brought blizzard-like conditions across North and South Dakota and pushed through the western Corn Belt are scheduled to hit Florida this weekend. Cold, high winds are expected for the Sunshine State beginning Friday. Farmers — who have spent the past week protecting crops from the cold — are bracing for the freeze that isn’t expected to leave until next Tuesday. According to USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey, farmers also are concerned with crop scarring from sand and debris picked up by the wind.
Georgia cotton farmers had a frustrating year in 2009. Long periods of rain caused a late start to the planting season, which has pushed back the harvest well into February 2010.
USDA has already made more than $175 million in disaster payments to America’s livestock producers by implementing the Livestock Indemnity Program and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program. In a press release, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated that the new programs are achieving the goal of Congress to help “producers recover losses rapidly and more thoroughly.”
