rought cuts $573 million from agriculture economy

Greensboro News Record - Greensboro,NC,USA
The preliminary estimates prepared for the state's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services found that soybean farmers suffered the biggest loss with ...

Report: Drought costs 2007 agriculture economy $573 million

WAVY-TV - Portsmouth,VA,USA
AP - December 17, 2007 12:05 PM ET RALEIGH, NC (AP) - A new report said the state's drought will cost North Carolina's agriculture economy $573 million in ...

Global food supply is dwindling rapidly, UN agency warns

International Herald Tribune - France
US wheat futures broke $10 a bushel for the first time Monday, the agricultural equivalent of $100 a barrel oil. Diouf blamed the crisis on a confluence of ...

Senate Passes Farm Bill Strong on Bioenergy, Conservation

Environment News Service - USA
Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner said Friday, "Farmers and ranchers face enormous uncertainties and deserve a safety net, and I am a firm ...

Zimbabwe: Government to Distribute Tractors to A1 Farmers

AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
"The irrigation sector offers the most critical support for agriculture, with the abundant rainfall we are receiving, the water stored in our reservoirs ...

Changing the story of American agriculture

In-Forum (subscription) - Fargo,ND,USA
That includes turning away from the region's large-scale, chemical-intensive and export-oriented agriculture in favor of small, diverse farms that produce ...

Nigeria: Youths Urged to Embrace Agriculture

AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
Nigerian youths were advised to embrace agriculture as an alternative to the scarce employment opportunities prevalent in the country, former Kaduna State ...

Need to commercialise agriculture stressed

Gorkhapatra - Kathmandu,Nepal
16: Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Chhabi Lal Bishwakarma said that agriculture plays a vital role to decrease poverty in the country. ...

Energy expert: Times changing in agriculture

Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette - Champaign,IL,USA
"We're living through the most fundamental changes in American and global agriculture," said Wallace Tyner, a Purdue University energy policy specialist who ...

Broad-based development: A perspective

Inquirer.net - Philippines
We are worse off today than in the past decade or two because we have severely underinvested in agriculture, where most of our rural poor are engaged in. ...

Energy summit

Dubuque Telegraph Herald - Dubuque,IA,USA
The "Next Generation Ag Energy: Policies to Advance Regional Growth" summit is expected to bring together more than 200 Midwestern agriculture leaders. ...

WV Needs More Funds for Gypsy Moth Fight

The Associated Press -
If both fail to materialize, the assistant director for the state Department of Agriculture's forest health protection programs says next year's gypsy moth ...

Jubilee of a successful agriculture campaign

Hindu - Chennai,India
KOTTAYAM: The golden jubilee of one of the most successful agriculture campaigns in the history of modern India will be held here on Monday when the Rubber ...

Bhattal constitutes Agriculture committee

Economic Times - Gurgaon,Haryana,India
16 Dec, 2007, 2217 hrs IST, PTI CHANDIGARH: Punjab Congress chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal on Sunday constituted an Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Committee ...

Booths available for Agriculture Showcase

The Reporter - Fond du Lac,WI,USA
Booths are still available for the Fond du Lac Agriculture Showcase to be held March 1 at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds. More than 1300 people are ...

Pinar to gain ground in Urban Agriculture

Cuba Headlines - Ciudad Habana,Habana,Cuba
Around 20 units of Urban Agriculture will be destined to semi-protected agricultural areas in the province, aimed at supplying the state markets with ...
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PPCC forms commmittee for agriculture and farmers welfare

PunjabNewsline.com - Nagar,Punjab,India
CHANDIGARH: Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, President PPCC has constituted an Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Committee of the Congress party. ...
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Jamaica Gleaner - Kingston,Jamaica

Jamaica Gleaner - Kingston,Jamaica
It is the issue of food security and how best to reduce prices without damaging agriculture and government revenues. In the last few years, global prices of ...
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Organic growers eligible for grants

Maryland organic farmers may receive help at training workshops, funded by two new grants designed to help defray producers' costs and improve opportunities for organics in the state.

The first is a $38,000 USDA Conservation Innovation Grant to increase management expertise among organic farmers, maximize the conservation benefits of organic farming, and explore marketing and infrastructure development for organic grain and forage farmers.

The second grant is from the USDA to help organic producers pay for the cost of certifying their operation as organic.

Discover Oklahoma: Web site, map link agriculture, tourism

If you're planning a trip to an Oklahoma winery or want to spend a weekend at a quiet guest ranch, two new resources can help you find the perfect destination. to create a new agritourism Web site and map that make it easy to plan memorable day trips or weeklong vacations. The Web site, http://agritourism.travelok. com, and large tri-fold map list hundreds of agritourism attractions across the state by city, region and type of attraction.

Agritourism blends two of the state's largest industries: agriculture and tourism. It often happens when farmers and ranchers diversify their business and invite the public onto their property to buy goods or experience a slice of the country life. Agritourism includes farm and ranch experiences, wineries, farmers markets, hunting destinations, food festivals, western events, birding tours and more. Also known as "agritainment,” some of these attractions cater to people who want to reconnect with their roots or show their children how their grandparents grew up.

Widely recognized as the fastest growing sector of travel and recreation, agritourism is gaining worldwide popularity, and Oklahoma, with its cultural diversity, Western heritage and interesting terrain, is positioned to become a leader in farm and ranch travel experiences. If you haven't had an agritourism experience, here are a few to consider. Call before visiting, because many agritourism attractions are seasonal.

Discover Oklahoma: Web site, map link agriculture, tourism

If you're planning a trip to an Oklahoma winery or want to spend a weekend at a quiet guest ranch, two new resources can help you find the perfect destination.

The Web site, http://agritourism.travelok. com, and large tri-fold map list hundreds of agritourism attractions across the state by city, region and type of attraction. Agritourism blends two of the state's largest industries: agriculture and tourism. It often happens when farmers and ranchers diversify their business and invite the public onto their property to buy goods or experience a slice of the country life. Agritourism includes farm and ranch experiences, wineries, farmers markets, hunting destinations, food festivals, western events, birding tours and more. Also known as "agritainment,” some of these attractions cater to people who want to reconnect with their roots or show their children how their grandparents grew up. Widely recognized as the fastest growing sector of travel and recreation, agritourism is gaining worldwide popularity, and Oklahoma, with its cultural diversity, Western heritage and interesting terrain, is positioned to become a leader in farm and ranch travel experiences. If you haven't had an agritourism experience, here are a few to consider. Call before visiting, because many agritourism attractions are seasonal.

OPEC grants $20m for boosting agriculture in Balkh

Online - International News Network - Islamabad,Pakistan
MAZAR-I-SHARIF: The Organisation of the Petroleum-Exporting Countries (OPEC) has pledged $20 million for the promotion of agriculture in the northern Balkh ...
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Yemeni-Swiss cooperation in agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has distributed 1700 tons of wheat seed to farmers this season, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Mansur ...

There's need to re-look at subsidies: PM

Here he also made it clear that agriculture cannot provide livelihood to over two-thirds of the country's population. Therefore, he added, the nation needed ...

Agriculture subsidies and climate change

Nyasa Times - Blantyre,Southern,Malawi
The Malawi agriculture subsidy programme has received immense attention locally and internationally. The programme has yield great results in terms of food ...
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Senate approves $268 billion agriculture bill

Image via Wikipedia

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, an Iowa Democrat, had hoped to take significant steps to reduce subsidies but was blocked by Southern ...

Impact of climate change on Agriculture

PANANGAD (KERALA): Coinciding with an international summit in Bali, environmentalists and agricultural scientists held a workshop in Kochi on the impact of climate change on agriculture in the tropical regions.

The day-long workshop was conducted at the College of Fisheries in Kerala Agricultural University at Panangad near Kochi.

Agriculture meteorologists said farmers would have to adapt crop patterns to variations in climate.

Senate Passes Huge Farm Bill

Ending a six-week impasse, the Senate yesterday approved a $286 billion farm bill that would authorize significant new spending for farm programs, food stamps and conservation but would make only modest changes in the nation's traditional agricultural subsidy system.

The 79 to 14 vote came after Southern lawmakers used a procedural maneuver to prevent the approval of tighter limits on subsidy payments to large commercial growers of rice and cotton. The savings from the change would have gone to anti-hunger programs, the protection of fragile grasslands and the settlement of lawsuits filed by black farmers alleging discrimination in government farm programs.

Feds launch huge farm census

Questionnaires are being mailed out to the 40,000 farmers and ranchers in Oregon as part of the United States' most ambitious and important agricultural survey.

The 2007 Census of Agriculture literally reaches out to every farmer and rancher in the United States, and is conducted every five years. Results and reports based on the data will be complete in early 2009, because of the huge amount of information and details that need to be gathered and analyzed.

Katy Coba, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, is encouraging the state's producers to cooperate with the census being conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

"There are many reasons for our producers to provide the information requested by the Census, but the most compelling is that information about our agriculture is key for policymakers to make good and informed decisions that affect the industry," said Coba.

Farm bill could boost funding for Michigan farmers

WASHINGTON (AP) — A farm bill approved by the Senate on Friday could help Michigan farmers who grow fruits and vegetables while providing more attention to renewable energy and conservation programs.

The $286 billion farm bill, which passed on a 79-14 vote, continues billions of dollars of subsidies and offers new grants for "specialty crops" commonly grown in Michigan: blueberries, apples, cherries, asparagus, and celery.

"This is the best farm bill in years for Michigan," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Donors to disburse $10 mln for agriculture in South Sudan

December 14, 2007 (JUBA) – The World Bank administrated fund of donors will disburse ten million dollars in agriculture and forestry project in southern Sudan.

Riek Machar

The Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) today said in a press statement committed to pay ten million US dollars in support of a government project to increase agricultural and forestry productivity in five States of Southern Sudan.

The World Bank indicated that this amount will cover the 2 first years.

The fund commitment known as Support to Agriculture and Forestry Development Project (SAFDP) will cover Eastern Equatoria, Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity States.

The Vice-President of the government of southern Sudan, Riek Machar who officiated the ceremony said the MDTF support would go a long way to “lay the foundation of the revival of agricultural productivity in Southern Sudan” after the devastating 21 year civil war.

Machar further underlined that the government would use the oil revenue to develop agriculture.

Southern Sudan minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Samson Kwaje, launched the project in Juba on December 12, 2007 at the opening ceremony of the biannual meeting of the State Ministers of Agriculture, Animal Resources, Fisheries and Forestry.

Kwaje said his government aims to make agriculture contribute 25% of the GDP of Southern Sudan by 2011.

The World Band representative for the project, John Jaramogi Oloya, said willing to provide technical support for agriculture projects because it is the largest employer in southern Sudan. He further said that WB policy is to encourage governments — in agricultural-based countries — to invest in the productivity of the smallholder producers.

Southern Sudan has an area of 640,000 square kilometers and 70% of it is arable land. Agriculture and livestock employs over 85% of the population.

Chambliss calls passage of Farm Bill a victory for American agriculture

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 14, 2007) - The U.S. Senate today overwhelmingly approved the bipartisan Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 coauthored by U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Ranking Republican Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. The farm bill includes the most significant reforms to payment limitations in the history of American farm policy, as well as increased funding for nutrition, energy and conservation programs.

“Passage of the farm bill is a real victory for American agriculture,” said Sen. Chambliss, who coauthored the bill. “The legislation will strengthen the nation’s food security, protect the livelihood of our farmers and ranchers, preserve our efforts to remain good stewards of the environment, and enhance our nation’s energy security efforts. I consider a safe, affordable and abundant food supply a critical national security interest and this bill takes us in the right direction to ensure those priorities.”

Heaven help!? - Are modern technologies in agriculture able to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses into the Baltic Sea

uniprotokolle (Pressemitteilung) - Germany
The actual condition of the Baltic Sea is alarming: In particular, nitrogen and phosphorus losses from agriculture, which result in eutrophication, ...
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Energy and agriculture up on robust demand

Financial Times - London,England,UK
By Javier Blas Energy and agriculture commodities moved higher during the week, supported by robust demand from emerging countries and tight supplies. ...
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Statement by Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner on Signing of the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement ( December 14, 2007)

"Today's signing of the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act shows renewed momentum in the U.S. pursuit of free trade with nations that share our economic, cultural and social values. This bilateral agreement reflects the mutual commitment of Peru and the United States to opening markets and reaping the benefits of trade. We are honored and pleased to be entering into such an important partnership with Peru.

"I would also like to thank Congress for its overwhelming bipartisan support in passing this agreement. I encourage them to show this same bipartisan spirit, and work with us to pass the agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.

"This Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) will allow Peru and the United States to begin implementing two-way market access for our agricultural goods. U.S. agriculture has been among the staunchest proponents of trade agreements, and we stand ready with market development tools for U.S. exporters to fulfill the immediate and prolonged gains from this agreement.

"We are committed to working with Peru's leaders to ensure that the benefits of the TPA are widely distributed throughout the agricultural sector and the economy as a whole. Currently, 30 percent of the Peruvian population works in agriculture. The agreement will provide new incentives to Peru's agricultural sector to modernize and create new opportunities for subsistence producers in agriculture. The agreement will increase job opportunities in the production, processing, and marketing sectors — good jobs that will attract people away from illegal coca production and enable them to pull themselves out of chronic poverty in rural areas.

"The Peruvian middle class is growing rapidly, and the future of U.S. agricultural growth depends upon gaining competitive access to these increasingly affluent consumers. In fiscal year 2007, U.S. exporters sold nearly $333 million in agricultural products in Peru and, under the TPA, our agricultural producers will be well positioned to provide an expanded range of high-value and consumer-ready products to this market. The TPA will also help to keep U.S. bulk commodities competitive in Peru. On the first day the agreement goes into effect, Peru will grant duty-free access to fully 90 percent of our food and agricultural products, greatly increasing the competitiveness of U.S. goods.

"At the same time, the Peruvian economy will gain from enhanced investment opportunities and market participation. Increased prosperity for Peru promises a stable government, growing numbers of middle-income consumers, a stalwart trading partner, and democratic presence in South America – all of which are in the best interests of the United States."

Illinois State Museum Awarded Federal Grant for Oral History of Illinois Agriculture (December 14, 2007)

SPRINGFIELD. The Illinois State Museum (ISM) has received a $564,651 National Leadership Grant (NLG) from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to develop educational resources on the history of Illinois agriculture. The Illinois State Museum will partner with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) to record oral histories of Illinoisans with agricultural experiences and make them available worldwide on the internet.

Dr. Robert Warren, ISM Curator of Anthropology, is directing the two-year project. Dr. Mark DePue, ALPLM Director of Oral History, is serving as co-director.

"Cultural institutions energize their communities by not just preserving culture, heritage, and knowledge, but by supporting life-long learning and engagement. National Leadership Grants harness the work of the best of these institutions,” said Dr. Anne-Imelda Radice, IMLS Director. “By promoting innovation and partnerships, they allow these institutions to create national models that address the challenges of the broader library and museum communities, and help strengthen their impact.”

Forty-three NLG grants, totaling more than $18 million, were awarded this year from a pool of 213 applicants.

“The Illinois State Museum is thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and other institutions to help preserve this important component of Illinois’ rich agricultural legacy and make it accessible to a worldwide audience through the Web,” remarked Illinois State Museum Director Dr. Bonnie Styles.

Census of Agriculture reaches out to Oregon farmers (Friday, December 14, 2007)

The most ambitious and important agricultural survey of all is getting underway in Oregon and the rest of the fifty states as the 2007 Census of Agriculture literally reaches out to every farmer and rancher in the United States.

Katy Coba, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, is encouraging the state's producers to cooperate with the census being conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

"There are many reasons for our producers to provide the information requested by the census, but the most compelling is that information about our agriculture is key for policy makers to make good and informed decisions that affect the industry," Coba said.

Agriculture gets additional P7.4B from ACEF extension (Friday, December 14 2007 @ 08:13 PM UTC)

The agriculture sector will get an additional P7.4-billion fund in 2008 with the approval by Congress of the extension of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) from end-2007 to 2015.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap on Friday lauded the swift approval by the Senate and the House of Representatives of this Malacanang-endorsed bill, and expressed optimism that Congress could pass a consolidated version of this farm-friendly initiative before adjourning next week for its traditional Christmas break.

"The Senate and the House have manifested anew their strong commitment to agricultural modernization and food security in passing their respective versions of the measure extending the lifespan of the ACEF, which is due to expire this month," he said.

Global change can hurt agriculture (Friday, December 14th 2007)

Climate change, if not effectively addressed, will adversely affect agricultural production and further threaten food security in the Caribbean region, Willard Phillips, Environmental Specialist of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said Wednesday.

Phillips, who was speaking at the official launch of the UNDP's Human Development Report 2007 which was hosted at the auditorium of the School of Education and Continuing Studies, St Augustine, said the report "points to the fact that within the global stage, it is likely to hurt agricultural production in developing country's most substantially."

"We anticipate there is going to be an estimated four to five percent decline in the potential for agriculture output across the world by 2018 . And even higher percentages (of decline) is anticipated for developing countries... In the Middle East and North Africa there is going to be just about 10 percent (decline in agricultural output) while in Latin America and the Caribbean it is going to be in the region of 13 per cent," Phillips said.

Phillips said the UNDP Human Development report, which focuses on the theme of Climate Change, points to the need for urgent action as a global family in order to confront climate change.

Another of the panel members, Professor Carlisle Pemberton, in his presentation on "The State of Food and Agriculture" (SOFA) 2007 report which was also launched on Wednesday said according to SOFA "the biggest threat to food security, especially in the context of the Caribbean is food price inflation."

Pemberton said this "scenario may well present the start of a long period of rising food prices because of structural increases in the demand for food, especially cereals, because of increased bio-fuel production; as well as weather related production shortfalls which themselves maybe the result of climate change."

Dr Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, Minister of Planning, Housing and the Environment, who had earlier delivered brief remarks at the function, said the Government was committed to fighting climate change.

"As a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Associated Protocol, Trinidad and Tobago continues to play its part in the international struggle against climate change and global warming," Dick-Forde said.

The other publications launched by the UNDP in collaboration with the UWI Institute of International Relations were the; Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2006-2007 and the UNAIDS-Aids Epidemic Update 2007. Each report addressed global issues and attempts to highlight the challenges facing developing countries as they strive to achieve their millennium goals.

Liberia: Agriculture Minister Raps On Initiates

The Government of Liberia has commenced the review and renegotiation of concession agreements on tree crops, including Guthrie, Cocopa and Liberia Agricultural Company (LAC) for rubber, and Butaw and LIBINC for oil palms, while other negotiations are also ongoing for new concession agreements.

According to the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Chris Toe, the government in February of this year commenced the review and amendment of the Firestone concession agreement that was ratified in 2005.

Addressing the December edition of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) Edward Blyden Forum in Monrovia on Wednesday, Minister Toe stated that all reviews or renegotiation of existing agreements and the negotiation of new agreements are guided by clear principles, focused on achieving specific objectives and targeted to address concerns.

The Minister pointed out that with this new development, there will be an increase of job employments for thousands of Liberians throughout the country.

Addressing the topic "Liberia's Agro-Investment Climate: Challenges & Benefits", Dr. Toe explained that the social and political environment that existed in the past when government entered into or renegotiated agricultural concession agreements for the cultivation, harvesting, processing and marketing of rubber and oil palm has changed.

According to him, reactivating and strengthening the agricultural sector is in the national interest and so, strategic partnership between the people, government and investors must be forged for share, inclusive growth and development. He added that observance of laws of general application must underpin every aspect of concession operations.

Minister Toe indicated that the concession reviews are attempting to ensure an equitable return of Liberia for its resources and people, taking into account ongoing changes in the agricultural industry of interest and to maximize the employment and productive engagement of Liberians.

The Minister also stated that the concession reviews will provide a secured structure for the profitability of the commercial enterprise and the ongoing development of the smallholder sector on whom the commercial enterprise most often depends and moreover, it will assure that the activities of the concessionaire are conducted in accordance with all of the requirements of Liberian law.

According to the Agriculture boss, as government enters into new concession agreements or renegotiate existing one, it remains mindful to consult with the citizens, share benefits with the communities and preserve the traditional practices of the people.

He added that government would empower individuals in order to eliminate the enclave nature of large-scale commercial activities and advocate policy that mainstreams gender-ties with commercial access and security to investment, and embeds sustainable natural resource use.

Congress ridicules Telugu Desam's booklet on agriculture

Hindu - Chennai,India
This was evident from the booklet on agriculture brought out by the TDP, which failed to make a mention of the free power to the farm sector, ...
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'08 agriculture budget has little for infrastructure

Inquirer.net - Philippines
Only P19 billion of the P25 billion allotted for agriculture in the approved national budget for 2008 will go to programs and projects and the remainder ...
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Agriculture still strong despite shifts in economy

New Vision - Kampala,Uganda
An appeal was made to the Government to increase the budget allocation to the agricultural sector to stop the decline. - There has not been a reduction in ...
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US Congress may extend old farm law until March

Reuters - USA
The short-term extension probably would be part of an omnibus spending bill to be passed in the next week or two, House Agriculture chairman Collin Peterson ...
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FAO warns of food shortage in new climate

Hindustan Times - India
Climate change will lead to adverse and immediate impact on world food security, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on Wednesday. ...
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Polish Meat Ban Will Be Lifted

The Moscow Times - Russia
The announcement came after talks in Moscow between Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev and his Polish counterpart, Marek Sawicki. ...
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Energy, Agricultural Futures Jump

The Associated Press -
A weak dollar has increased global demand for US agricultural products including wheat, corn and soybeans. Wheat prices surged on expectations that exports ...
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Agriculture fights hunger: World Bank report

Viet Nam News - Hanoi,Vietnam
HA NOI — The World Bank's World Development Report 2008 highlights the role of agriculture in reducing poverty as its principal theme for the first time in ...
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New bill gives autonomy to Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro

The Canadian Press -
HALIFAX - The Nova Scotia Agricultural College will become an independent post-secondary institution under a proposed bill tabled by the Conservative ...
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Chinese agriculture ministry denies reports of blue-ear pig disease resurgence

BEIJING, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday denied media reports that blue-ear pig disease was making a comeback in south China's Guangdong and Sichuan provinces, leading to pork price rises.

An official in charge of the Veterinary Bureau under the ministry said the situation on the Chinese mainland was "stable" as Chinese vaccines were proved to be "safe and effective". So far, no vaccinated pigs had contracted the disease.

The official said some media reports had blamed ineffective vaccination for spread of the disease in Huizhou of Guangdong Province and Sichuan Province, saying Sichuan was even compelled to deliver pigs from neighboring provinces to meet market demand.

Agriculture for Development, the Dutch way

Oneworld - Netherlands
Agri-profocus organises the debate Agriculture for Development, the Dutch Way on Monday afternoon, December 17. Among others, Ruud Treffers (Director ...
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Hunt Is on in 8 States for Potato Pest

The Associated Press -
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The US Department of Agriculture is worried that seed potato shipments from Canada to eight states might have been carrying a ...
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Mozambique: Agriculture Advancing Through Joint US-UN Efforts

AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
The UN agencies involved in food relief are the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for ...
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Bar crop subsidies to nonfarmers: House ag chief

Reuters - USA
The other would deny payments to people with an adjusted gross income above House Agriculture Committee chairman Collin Peterson has suggested a more ...
See all stories on this topic Mozambique: Agriculture Advancin

Senate Defeats Effort to Cut Subsidies

The Associated Press -
"It just moves too far, too fast," said Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. Lugar said current government farm programs benefit the ...
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Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks Named Co-Chair Of Rural Americans For Hillary

All American Patriots (press release) - Taeby,NA,Sweden
12/10/2007 -- The Hillary Clinton Campaign today named Alabama Agriculture and Industry Commissioner Ron Sparks Co-Chair of Rural Americans for Hillary. ...
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World Bank To Provide $62.6 Million For Increasing Agriculture Productivity In Bangladesh

AHN - USA
As planned, the loan from the multilateral donor agency's soft-lending window is aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and farm incomes by improving ...
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Mozambique: Agriculture Minister Sacked

AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
Muhate's tenure at the Agriculture Ministry was very short - he only took office on 27 February this year, and so had been in the job for just 10 months. ...
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Farmers want recognition at Bali talks

The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
Farmers have called on the federal government to ensure global climate change talks recognise agriculture's potential to cut greenhouse gas pollution. ...
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'Globalisation puts agriculture at risk'

Hindu - Chennai,India
KOCHI: Agriculture faces the biggest risk from deepening globalisation, Anwar-ul Hoda, member, Planning Commission of India has said. ...
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Transforming economies urged to develop high-value agriculture

Xinhua - China
11 (Xinhua) -- Rapidly transforming economies, including Vietnam, must move beyond the green revolution to focus on new high-value agriculture, an official ...
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Bank upbeat after agriculture's torrid year

Scotsman - United Kingdom
SELDOM has there been a year when the agricultural industry has been subject to such a degree of volatility. The livestock sector suffered badly as a result ...
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Uganda: Energy Scarcity, Primitive Agriculture Fuel Global Warming, Says Museveni

AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has said low consumption of electricity and primitive agriculture are among the major factors responsible for global warming in ...
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New bird flu outbreak in Poland - agriculture minister

RIA Novosti - Moscow,Russia
WARSAW, December 10 (RIA Novosti) - There has been a new outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in eastern Poland, the country's agricultural minister said on Sunday. ...
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New bird flu outbreak in Poland - agriculture minister

RIA Novosti - Moscow,Russia
WARSAW, December 10 (RIA Novosti) - There has been a new outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in eastern Poland, the country's agricultural minister said on Sunday. ...
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Court says state must pay for trees

Bizjournals.com - Charlotte,NC,USA
The Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commission had maintained that even if they were not infected, trees exposed to the bacterial strain were ...
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Nigeria: Agriculture - FG Asked to Jettison Foreign Consultants

AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
Former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Shettima Mustapha made the call at the meeting of the National Cotton Development Committee in Abuja. ...
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Liberia: Agriculture Minister Gives Details On LAC-GOL MOU

AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. J. Chris Toe, explained over the week-end issues surrounding LAC/GOL Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the framework for ...
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Africa: Organic Agriculture Can Contribute to Fighting Hunger, But Chemical Fertilizers Needed to Feed the World

AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
FAO has no reason to believe that organic agriculture can substitute for conventional farming systems in ensuring the world's food security, ...
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Graham's donation was for agriculture, not for an ice arena

Post-Bulletin - Rochester,MN,USA
We would suggest that Mr. Henn and Mr. Montrose be reminded that the gift of land by Dr. Graham was for use as fairgrounds for agricultural exhibitions. ...
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Sustainable Agriculture Workshop Set at UW-RF

Wisconsin Ag Connection - Marshfield,WI,USA
A two-day workshop on sustainable agriculture will be held for agricultural professionals next month at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. ...
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Wheat futures surge on supply concerns

Guardian Unlimited - UK
Prices are being fuelled mainly by trade expectations of a drop in US 2007/08 wheat ending stocks, when the US Department of Agriculture issues its December ...
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Organic agriculture alone can't fight hunger: FAO

Hindu - Chennai,India
"We should use organic agriculture and promote it. But you cannot feed six billion people today and nine billion in 2050 without judicious use of chemical ...
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Agriculture indispensable sector in RP: World Bank

Visayan Daily Star - Dumaguete City,Philippines
BY RENE GENOVE The World Bank revealed its 2008 agriculture development plan for the Philippines at a video conference held Friday at Silliman University ...
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AFD to support Yemen in energy, food security and agriculture

Yemen Times - Sana'a,Yemen
He further mentioned, "The sectors we want to focus on are energy, food security and agriculture, according to the partnership agreement signed in March ...
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Climate change impacts Orissa agriculture, says study

Earthtimes - London,UK
Bhubaneswar, Dec 10 - Climate change has its impact on agriculture in Orissa and people are well aware of it, say preliminary findings of a people ...
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Agriculture needs another green revolution

Merinews - New Delhi,India
Agriculture sector is in urgent need of ushering new green revolution to increase productivity and annual average growth rate to about five per cent per ...
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Donaldson: Agriculture may return to schools

Trinidad & Tobago Express - Port-of-Spain,Trinidad and Tobago
The Government is considering re-introducing agriculture as part of the curriculum at the primary school level so children can be encouraged to look to ...
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Subsidies' Harvest Of Misery

Washington Post - United States
My first paying job was working for the US Department of Agriculture, measuring farmers' fields to ensure that they limited their acreage and total ...
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Minister to strengthen agricultural ties with China

Media Newswire (press release) - New York,NY,USA
Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance will travel to China tomorrow to progress agricultural and research opportunities in Zhejiang Province. ...
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Agriculture briefs

Dubuque Telegraph Herald - Dubuque,IA,USA
The Agricultural Education Scholarships will be awarded to students who are pursuing a career in the agricultural field. The scholarships will be awarded ...
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Govt to review northern agriculture plan

ABC Online - Australia
The Federal Government will not commit to continuing an inquiry into agricultural development in northern Australia. The Liberal chairman of the Northern ...
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Farmers applaud Government emphasis on agriculture

ABC Online - Australia
On Friday, Kevin Rudd and his new Agriculture Minister, Tony Burke, toured a beef property near Roma in western Queensland. NFF vice-president Charles Burke ...
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Climate-ready farming system must be developed for world's poor

Jakarta Post - Jakarta,Indonesia
The discussion, which was jointly organized by Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Stockholm Environment Institute, focused on ways to help the ...
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Video: U.S. Department of Agriculture Partners with Ad Council and Collaborates with... (Fri Dec 7, 2007 11:23am EST)

Video: U.S. Department of Agriculture Partners with Ad Council andCollaborates with Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment to Promote Nutrition Education to Children and Families

New PSAs feature characters from Walt Disney's 'The Jungle Book'

NEW YORK, Dec, 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Department of Agriculture's Food Nutrition and Consumer Services and the Ad Council announced today the launch of a multi-media public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to inspire children and families to adopt healthier lifestyles.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:www.prnewswire.com/mnr/adcouncil/31020/ As we all know, today's obesity and overweight statistics are staggering. Approximately 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese while 17 percent of American children themselves are categorized as overweight. Research indicates that being overweight during childhood and adolescence and carrying that through into adulthood. Furthermore, recent Ad Council research indicates that mothers and caregivers understand the importance of healthy eating yet struggle with knowing the best way to provide good nutrition for their families. Accordingto a 2007 study conducted by Yankelovich Research among low-income mothers on behalf of the Ad Council's Coalition for Healthy Children, less than half of those surveyed describe their children as physically fit and only 40 percent said their kids are healthy eaters. In addition, 39 percent of low income mothers said they are unclear about which foods are considered healthy and 63 percent report that healthy eating is often a major battle with their child. In an effort to promote healthier lifestyles, the USDA and the Ad Council are launching a campaign to encourage parents to provide healthy options for their families and to motivate their children to seek proper nutrition and levels of physical activity.

Created pro bono by Saatchi & Saatchi, the "Nutrition Education" PSAs aim to inspire parents to encourage healthy habits by emphasizing that "good nutrition can lead to great things" and can help their children be the best at everything they do. The campaign places an emphasis on reaching low-income families, who tend to be at greater risk for overweight and obesity, and directs audiences to the USDA's www.MyPyramid.gov website, an effective tool for guiding healthy choices.

"The combination of proper nutrition and daily physical activity are critical for a healthier lifestyle," said USDA's Acting Secretary Chuck Conner. "Two-thirds of our adults and 17 percent of our children are either overweight or obese. It is time for all of us to work together to ensure a healthier future for our most precious resource, our children."

In addition to Saatchi & Saatchi produced PSAs, the Ad Council and USDA partnered with Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, on a series of PSAs featuring the lovable characters and memorable songs from Disney's original classic The Jungle Book. An extension of the USDA's Nutrition Education campaign, these new spots, available for television, radio, outdoor and internet media, highlight the importance of balancing good nutrition and physical activity, by emphasizing the "Bare Necessities" of healthy living and sending a message to parents and children that leading a healthy lifestyle can help them be the best at everything they love to do.

"We at the Ad Council are thrilled to collaborate with USDA and The Walt Disney Company on this wonderful and informative campaign to educate parents and children about nutrition. The PSAs are both motivating and entertaining and I'm confident that they will inspire families throughout the nation to make the necessary changes to lead a healthier lifestyle," said Peggy Conlon, President and CEO of The Advertising Council.

All of the new campaign PSAs will be distributed to media outlets nationwide this month and, per the Ad Council's model, will air and run in advertising time and space donated by the media. Additionally, Disney's The Jungle Book inspired PSA inserts containing this message will be included in kid's meals being served at Disney theme parks in the United States while the PSA's themselves have already begun running on select U.S. Disney properties.

"We're proud to be a part of delivering such an important message to families throughout the country about nutrition education," said Mary Baglivo, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi NY. "Our research shows that although parents want the best for their kids, many don't recognize all of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. This creative is particularly encouraging because it shows how good nutrition is a catalyst for great things that can lead to a bright future for children."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.

The department increases food security and reduces hunger in partnership with cooperating organizations by providing children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education in a manner that supports American agriculture and inspires public confidence.

USDA has created a strategic plan to implement its vision. The framework of this plan depends on these key activities: expanding markets for agricultural products and support international economic development, further developing alternative markets for agricultural products and activities, providing financing needed to help expand job opportunities and improve housing, utilities and infrastructure in rural America, enhancing food safetyby taking steps to reduce the prevalence of foodborne hazards from farm to table, improving nutrition and health by providing food assistance and nutrition education and promotion, and managing and protecting America's public and private lands working cooperatively with other levels of government and the private sector.

Ideas company Saatchi & Saatchi is a global network with 153 offices and is part of Publicis Groupe, the world's fourth largest communications group. Its flagship New York office was named "2007 Agency of the Year" at the Cannesand Clio international ad festivals. The Agency handles more than 40 #1 brandsin its client portfolio, including Toyota; Tide, Pampers and Olay (Procter &Gamble); and Sony Ericsson. Saatchi & Saatchi is known for its exceptionalstrength at understanding the emotional connections between consumers andproducts. This approach comes to life through Lovemarks, the methodologydesigned to create loyalty beyond reason.

Disney brightens the lives of children in need around the world throughglobal outreach programs, local community initiatives and the DisneyVoluntEARS program. Last year, Disney donated more than $177 million in cash and in-kind support to various charities around the world. Disney VoluntEARS contributed more than 466,000 hours of service and the company drew upon itsunique magic to make wishes come true for children and families. The DisneyVoluntEARS program provides opportunities for Disney employees to contributetheir time and expertise towards making a positive impact in the communities they serve while furthering the traditions and ideals of The Walt DisneyCompany. For more information on Disney's outreach efforts, please visitwww.DisneyOutreach.com The Ad Council The Ad Council (www.adcouncil.org) is a private, non-profit organizationwith a rich history of marshalling volunteer talent from the advertising andmedia industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. Havingproduced literally thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressingsocial issues of the day, the Ad Council has effected, and continues toaffect, tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action andsaving lives.

Agriculture Minister discusses industry's future challenges (Saturday, 8 December , 2007 08:04:00)

ELIZABETH JACKSON: Being agriculture minister in a country that relies heavily on farm exports has never been an easy job, but climate change will make it a whole lot more difficult from now on.A recent report by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) paints a grim picture of the future, projecting a decline in agricultural exports of 15 to 79 per cent by 2050 - if the nation fails to adapt to global warming.That's just one of the challenges facing new Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister, Tony Burke.And he has another small hurdle to leap; he represents an inner city Sydney seat.

Minister, good morning.

TONY BURKE: G'day.

ELIZABETH JACKSON: Do you know one end of a cow from another?

TONY BURKE: (Laughs) It's about 80 years since my family left the land and I'm a good deal younger than that. So, I mean, people have been critical of me having a lack of experience in terms of my own life out on the land. They're right. They're right, I don't bring a wealth of personal stories or of personal baggage to the portfolio.

ELIZABETH JACKSON: So how are you equipped to do the job?

TONY BURKE: Well, I think the way you have to do the job, more important than what you've done before you've got the job, is how you do it while you're there and my style, very much has been not simply to deal with the department and the stakeholder official lobby groups but to spend as much time as I can actually out there talking face to face with stakeholders and farmers themselves.

ELIZABETH JACKSON: Minister, back to the report. It is fairly alarming as you have acknowledged, but as you read through it is says the impact of potential changes in climate on agricultural productivity is uncertain and the estimates range from small loss to potential gains - how do you plan for a future that uncertain?

TONY BURKE: This is where the starting point is to do what farmers have themselves always been pretty good at in Australia and that is to look at serious adaptation to changing conditions. Now this is why when the now government, when we went to the last election, we look policies on Australia's farming future about re-gearing a number of these government programs that are there providing on-farm advice for different structural issues to actually re-gear all of that with a climate change focus.

ELIZABETH JACKSON: So what are you going to throw your efforts into - trying to reduce the carbon output or adaptation? Or both?

TONY BURKE: Oh, look it's both. Farmers have already in terms of doing something about output. We have already seen a massive decrease in land clearing and Australia's record on carbon emissions in terms of what the success we've been able to have on carbon emissions, is largely due to what farmers have done with the reduction in land clearing.The other thing that farmers ….

ELIZABETH JACKSON: But that can't go on forever.

TONY BURKE: Oh, that's right and the other thing which we often don't think about is carbon trapped within the soil and changes in ploughing practices have made a very significant impact and this is ongoing and spreading quickly as a practice of farmers now - to change the ploughing practices to stop releasing carbon from the soil and to find new ways of being able to make sure that you can make very active use of the soil without the old ploughing practices that were releasing carbon into the atmosphere. So there is difference practices that they have been involved with there. On top of that though, you have got to make sure that your R&D (Research and Development) and your support that the Government does provide on the ground is very much geared towards adaptation and adjustment programs.

ELIZABETH JACKSON: Currently, agriculture produces 17 per cent of Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions. Apart from what you have already mentioned, how do you cut that?

TONY BURKE: Well, I think what I mentioned is how you cut that.

ELIZABETH JACKSON: That alone or have you got other strategies in mind?

TONY BURKE: Well, I mean overwhelmingly, the whole national figures have largely been driven by the land clearing changes. What can be done with soils is extraordinarily effective but to go beyond that requires an investment in R&D as well and this is where the research and development that is government funded, we've got policies there about regearing that with a climate change focus. We've got $15 million budgeted over four years where you actually shift your research and development into saying this is an absolute priority.The sector can have a very vibrant healthy future but we've got to make sure we've got the research done into how you can reduce total emissions and then on top of that we've got to make sure that the adaptation possibilities are there so that the industry itself can continue to thrive.Because it is not just rising temperatures or loss of water - there is also dangers with a whole series of new pests and diseases that come with dealing - as knock on effects of dealing with higher temperatures so to get that research and development right - provides an essential part of the pathway through and then you need your on-farm strategies of explaining those adjustment programs and adaptation programs for farmers at the grassroots level.

ELIZABETH JACKSON: What about genetically modified crops? Is that part of the solution?

TONY BURKE: I don't think there is any doubt that that will be a piece of the puzzle. We've had the moratorium dropped now in New South Wales and Victoria. There are particular issues in Western Australia and Tasmania where they believe that there is a particular market they are able to access by not going down the GM path and that is something to continue to consult with them.But certainly some of the pathways forward, will be provided through good technology and science in GM.

ELIZABETH JACKSON: Is the future of Australian agriculture to migrate it north, to areas that do have more rainfall?

TONY BURKE: It will be more complicated than that. There will some areas for example, down along South Australia where going north is actually become a problem and there has been some particular concerns there. There will be adaptation all around the place and there just won't be a single pattern. The answers and the strategies are going to differ from farm to farm because it is not just the rainfall issues, as you go north there will also be with the higher temperatures and the more tropical climate, new problems there with animal and plant diseases so it is not going to be simple. We need to make sure the information is there and we need to have the refocusing of the government programs.But I've got to say, I still have a high level of optimism. Anybody who has a history of farming on a continent like ours is used to being resilient and used to having to adapt and that's the pathway and the challenge and it is the right sort of people who have been dealing with that over the years who are now going to be in the front line of making sure that Australia is ready for both taking on responsibility for reducing the impact of climate change but also ready for, to the extent that climate change itself is inevitable and happening - making sure that we are adapting for a vibrant industry into the future.ELIZABETH JACKSON: Tony Burke, thank you.

TONY BURKE: Pleasure, thanks.

ELIZABETH JACKSON: That's the new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke.

Agriculture students go on indefinite fast

Coimbatore (PTI): Eight of the nearly 600 students of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), who began an indefinite fast on Friday to press their demands, were hospitalised after they swooned at the venue.

The students were on a relay strike for the last four days, seeking employment in government departments like agriculture, horticulture and agri-engineering after they completed their graduation.

In view of the protest, TNAU had announced indefinite closure of all its constituent colleges from Thursday and had instructed the students to vacate the hostels.

Seeking the intervention of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi, in the issue, following failure of talks with Agriculture Minister, Veerapandi S Arumugham, about 600 students, including 300 girls, began the indefinite fast from Friday morning.

Eight students, including four girls, have been shifted to government hospital. However, five of them returned to the campus and continued their fast along with others in the evening, police sources said.

Meanwhile, the students have started vacating the hostels, official sources said.

Agriculture dean is sole finalist for Texas A&M presidency (Dec. 7, 2007, 5:48PM)

HOUSTON — Elsa Murano, who left her post as the nation's highest-ranking food safety official to become dean of Texas A&M University's agriculture school, was named the sole finalist for the campus' presidency on Friday.

Murano is set to become the first female and first Hispanic to lead the 131-year-old university, which was founded as an all-male military institution and didn't admit women on an equal basis to men until 1971.

The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents voted Friday to name Murano the lone finalist to succeed former president Robert Gates, who left in December to become the U.S. secretary of defense. By law, the regents must wait 21 days to officially appoint her to the position.

"We conducted a nationwide search to find the best candidate for the presidency of Texas A&M University, and we discovered that individual in our own backyard," board president Bill Jones said in a statement.

Murano, 48, also serves as the system's vice chancellor of agriculture.

She served as undersecretary for food safety at the U.S. Agriculture Department from 2001 to 2004, overseeing 10,000 employees and an annual budget of $905 million.

"I'm ecstatic," Murano said after the announcement. "I'm just in a cloud right now."

Gov. Rick Perry, a Texas A&M alumnus, credited Murano with revitalizing the agriculture program over her three-year tenure. According to the university, the school's undergraduate enrollment has increased over the past two years, following a sharp decline before her arrival.
In a statement, Perry said he is "excited an agriculture expert will lead the university for the first time in a long time, recognizing agriculture is vital to our future and not merely our past."
After fleeing her native Cuba as a child, Murano lived in several Latin American countries before her family settled in Miami.

She received a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Florida International University and received a master's degree and doctorate from Virginia Tech University.

She began her academic career in 1981 as a research laboratory technician at Florida International. She joined Texas A&M's faculty in 1995, after spending five years as an assistant professor at Iowa State University.

She was director of the Center for Food Safety at Texas A&M when President Bush nominated her to oversee the Agriculture Department's food-safety programs.
Murano's nomination capped a contentious selection process that left some faculty members complaining that their opinions have been ignored by the board of regents.

Chancellor Michael McKinney appointed a 15-person committee of regents, administrators, students, alumni and community members to narrow the applicant field to three candidates.
The regents ultimately decided to interview other candidates, however, and told faculty members who complained that they have sole discretion in the issue.

Professor Doug Slack, who chaired the search committee, said that attitude has hurt relationships between the board and the university's faculty and staff. At the very least, he said, the committee should have been invited to interview Murano before she was named the finalist.
"The decision may have been the same at the end of the day but at least they would have more information to make a better decision," he said.

State agriculture receipts projected to hit record highs: Economists at UK note '07 challenges (Gregory A. Hall, The Courier-Journal)

Despite a spring freeze and summer drought, University of Kentucky economists projected yesterday that Kentucky farmers' cash receipts will total a record $4.22 billion this year and rise to $4.294 billion next year.

"We had some very, very challenging growing conditions," said Will Snell, one of the UK agricultural economists who released the numbers during the Kentucky Farm Bureau convention in Louisville.

After the freeze around Easter, "we moved into probably the toughest drought conditions we've ever had in the history of Kentucky agriculture, which had devastating impacts … on pastures and certainly impacted many of our yields," Snell said.

Nonetheless, high prices and increased acreages for some crops are helping push cash receipts beyond the 2004 record of $4.1 billion, he said. "I think the potential is for cash receipts to steadily increase."

But the same isn't true for farmers' income after expenses, which Snell said has peaked, despite remaining strong by historical standards. The federal buyout that ended the tobacco-price-support system helped set the 2005 record of $2.1 billion.

Government payments will continue to decrease, and "I don't see anything on the horizon that's really going to pull down production expenses. Labor costs are going to go up, feed and fuel," Snell said.

But overall, the economists painted a largely positive picture for agriculture both in Kentucky and nationally.

While the overall national economy is sluggish with talk of a possible recession, Snell said the agricultural outlook is much better with relatively high prices and record receipts, income and exports.

Livestock receipts in Kentucky increased almost 11 percent as horses, poultry and cattle combined accounted for almost two-thirds of projected cash receipts this year, according to the projections. Prices are strong, and more horses and cattle are being sold.

Livestock economist Lee Meyer said cattle sales were up 45 percent to 50 percent from June to October as farmers sold cattle because of the drought, boosting cattle revenues. Kentucky is the largest beef state east of the Mississippi River.

"We pushed a bunch of cattle to market that would have gone to market next year and probably had higher revenues this year with the pretty good prices we had," Meyer said. "But we're going to pay the penalty for that next year in terms of a drop in cattle revenues then."

Meyer said he would be very optimistic about the long run except for the possibility of higher feed costs, driven by ethanol demand and exports.

"Feed remains a wild card," he said.

Next year's projected growth is based on a 12 percent increase for crops with a return to normal growing conditions. Livestock receipts are expected to dip 2.4 percent.

Corn is projected as this year's leading cash crop, but its 16 percent production increase resulted from more being grown rather than better yields, economist Kenny Burdine said. The demand for ethanol and other alternative fuels helped spur the increased corn acreage and the decreased soybean planting.

Soybean plantings are expected to increase next year as a result of this year's tighter supply and higher demand, Burdine said. With tobacco, once the king of Kentucky's cash crops and now projected second, Snell said prices are down 5 to 10 cents a pound despite hopes that heavy demand would lead tobacco companies to overlook drought-related curing difficulties.

Although tobacco companies may want more tobacco grown, they'll have to offer better pricing to get it, he said.

Dairy Farmers Learn From California (JACOB ADELMAN, 7 December 2007)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Frank Teunissen helped California became the nation's leading dairy state before he left his family's ranch outside Los Angeles and bought his own 600-acre spread in Idaho.

Now, he is part of a growing trend in which ranchers throughout the West are using those same methods to challenge California's dominance of the U.S. dairy market.

"Idaho and New Mexico are looking at California and saying we can do that, too," said Leslie Butler, an agricultural economist at the University of California at Davis.

U.S. Department of Agriculture figures show California produced 3.3 billion gallons of milk in 2006 — a 17 percent increase from five years earlier, but a growth rate that lags several competing states.

During that same period, Idaho increased production by 40 percent to 937.4 million gallons, while New Mexico posted a 37 percent jump to 653.6 million gallons.

Arizona pumped up output 28 percent to 344 million gallons, and Colorado saw a 29 percent jump to 215 million gallons.

"California is still the largest, but the question is, Are they going to be able to maintain growth?" Purdue University agricultural economist Joseph Balagtas said.

Ranchers in Idaho, New Mexico and other states are copying many of the same high-yield dairy methods that fueled rapid expansion in California in the mid-1990s.

The strategy, which Butler calls "the California model," includes taking cows off pastures — where they graze in thinly spread herds — and concentrating them together in massive dairies. Feed is shipped into operations and manure is hauled out, rather than relying on naturally occurring processes in pastures.

Teunissen said his bottom line in Idaho has also benefited from cheaper feed and from utilities that cost one-third as much as his family paid in California.

"It was a great opportunity for my wife and I," he said about his move.

Cheap land, lower taxes and less stringent regulations have also aided the production push in other states, said Gary Genske, a dairy industry consultant. In addition, dairy ranchers outside California don't face the state's strict air and water quality regulations.

California, the nation's leading agricultural state, has a lot riding on its dairy industry. Milk and cream were the state's top agricultural commodities in 2006, raking in $5.22 billion of the $32 billion in total sales generated by the industry, according to the state Food and Agriculture Department.

But since 2004, when California ranchers lost their exemptions to federal air quality regulations, they have had to make costly adjustments to curtail emissions.

Among other things, they must cover roads on their farms with asphalt to keep down dust and build structures to enclose waste lagoons, said Michael Marsh, chief executive of the Western United Dairymen trade group.

Many California ranchers also must turn to expensive consultants and lawyers to see them through the state's lengthy, complex permitting procedures.

Depending on the size of a ranch and its location, permit-related fees in California can reach up to $700,000, with the process taking as long as five years, Marsh said.

In Idaho, permit fees can cost as little as $15,000, with the process taking just 90 days, said Bob Naerebout, director of the group United Dairymen of Idaho.

Even though more milk is being produced throughout the West, the increased supply has yet to translate into lower prices for consumers.

Much of the milk and other products are being siphoned off by emerging industrial powers such as India and China, where consumers have more money to spend on healthy diets, Butler said.
Butler said it's only natural for milk production to migrate from California to states where it can be done more cheaply and efficiently.

New York and Wisconsin took their turns as the nation's dominant milk state before California, he noted.

"I have no doubt that other states that are expanding will continue to expand, and that simply becomes a competitive element that dairy producers have to face," Butler said.

Angola: Kwanza Sul - Agriculture Minister Expected in Sumbe Friday (Angola Press Agency (Luanda), 6 December 2007)

The minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Pedro Kanga Friday pays a work visit to Sumbe district (coastal Kwanza Sul province), to assess the cotton planting project in the region.
According to the visit agenda delivered to ANGOP this Thursday, during his stay in that province, Pedro Kanga will travel to Ngangula commune, where he learn, among others, about the irrigation project, and meet with staffs of the sector.

The minister of Agriculture will be accompanied by his vice minister, Dário Katata, and some directors of his ministry.

India may sign MoUs with Botswana, Serbia on agriculture ( Dec, 2007, 2040 hrs IST, PTI)

NEW DELHI: India may sign separate memorandum of understanding with Botswana and Serbia on bilateral agricultural cooperation. Minister of State for Agriculture Kanti Lal Bhuria said the MoU between India and Botswana on agriculture and allied sectors is being given the final shape, while that with Serbia has been approved by the government of that country. Bhuria disclosed this when official delegation of both countries had separate meeting with him, a release said. The minister appreciated the initiative of Serbia government towards the MoU, which was finalised following the visit of experts from Indian Council of Agricultural Research. A delegation led by Serbia's State Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management, which was here for the International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza, today called on Bhuria. Receiving a delegation led by Botswana's Assistant Minister of Agriculture Olifant Mfa, the Indian minister hoped that its would prove useful for both the countries. The main areas of cooperation as identified in the proposed MoU include agricultural research, farm machinery, livestock and horticulture crops.

No relief from rising food prices (Dec 7, 2007)

WASHINGTON - Globalization, climate change and the mass production of biofuels are pushing up food prices worldwide, which could jeopardize the livelihoods of the world's poorest, according to a report released on Tuesday by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). "Food prices have been steadily decreasing since the Green Revolution, but the days of falling food prices may be over," said Joachim von Braun, lead author of the report and director general of IFPRI, a research organization under the consultative group on International Agricultural Research, which describes itself as a partnership of countries, international and regional organizations and private foundations that foster sustainable agricultural growth. Titled, "The World Food Situation: New Driving Forces and Required Actions", the 16-page report examines how various global trends are impacting world hunger on both the supply and demand ends of the market. "Surging demand for feed, food and fuel has recently led to drastic price increases, which are not likely to fall in the foreseeable future," von Braun said. But "climate change will also have a negative impact on food production." Similar findings have been reported by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the US Department of Agriculture, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, according to IFPRI. Researchers predict that shifting weather conditions resulting from climate change will disrupt rainfall patterns that farmers rely on to nourish their crops and water the grasslands that feed their livestock. As a result, cereal production in South Asia could drop 22% by 2080, while wheat production in Africa may virtually disappear by that time, the report said. Furthermore, temperature increases of more than three degrees Celsius could in turn lift food prices by as much as 40%. The production of crop-based biofuels - renewable energy sources developed in response to climate change - may also dramatically impact food supply, and thereby further escalate food prices. If the countries that have already committed to biofuel production, as well as other high-potential producer countries, carry out their current investment plans, global maize prices would increase by 26% and oilseed prices would rise by 18% by 2020, according to the report. This is due to state subsidies for biofuels, as well the shift in committing scarce resources toward cultivating biofuel crops. "As biofuels become increasingly profitable, more land, water and capital will be diverted to their production, and the world will face more trade-offs between food and fuel," the report said. In the US alone, the use of maize for ethanol production increased by two and a half times between 2000 and 2006. On the demand side of worldwide food production, globalization, economic growth and urbanization in places such as China and India have impacted people's dietary preferences and food choices, the report noted. While demand is on the increase for processed food and high-value agricultural crops such as vegetables, fruit, meat and dairy, demand for grains and other staple crops is declining. This shift in "tastes" represents a microcosm of the food costs issue, said IPFRI research analyst Timothy Sulser, who also contributed to the report. As wealthier populations shift to a diet full of meat, fruits, and vegetables, poorer populations will struggle to afford ever pricier food staples. "There will be an even wider gap between affluent people and poorer people in terms of access to a nutritional diet" if trends continue, Sulser said. With many factors threatening the world's food supply and demand, immediate action is needed in the areas of international development and global trade policy in order to avert what could be a dramatic hunger crisis, according to authors of the report. Eliminating trade barriers and programs that set aside agriculture resources is one way that developed countries could help equip developing countries for the rising food prices. Other suggestions include strengthening policies to promote early childhood nutrition - thereby diminishing the risks related to limited food access - and incorporating food and agriculture considerations into the agenda for domestic and international climate change policy. Yet these solutions may only mitigate the effects of a global trend whose causal forces, such as globalization and climate change, have already been set in motion, say researchers. "The policy suggestions are intended to help minimize some of the impact of these changes," said Sulser. "It's important now to look at how we can help people adapt to the changing the situation." (Inter Press Service)

USDA revises food program for women and children (Thu Dec 6, 2007 3:33pm EST)

WASHINGTON, Dec 6 (Reuters) - A popular program that provides food assistance to low-income women and their children received its first overhaul in more than 30 years Thursday with the addition of fruits, vegetables and whole grains to the list of grocery items covered by the U.S. government.

The Agriculture Department said the new list reflects the changing nutritional needs of participants in the Women, Infants and Children food program and will help combat obesity. Created in 1972, the WIC program supplements the diet of 8.5 million low-income pregnant women, new mothers and young children annually.

The revised list of foods that can be purchased with WIC vouchers is the result of a review that was first announced in August 2006. It does not change the value of benefits, about $39 a month, to qualified low-income pregnant women, and children up to the age of 5 who are at nutritional risk.

USDA heard from "WIC agencies, from stakeholders and, of course, the participants themselves to revise (WIC) so it does reflect the latest nutrition, science and dietary recommendations for Americans," said Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner. "We believe this rule will do just that."The revised program provides women and children with less saturated fat and cholesterol and allows more fiber, fruits and vegetables.

Recipients will be allowed to substitute items -- such as replacing whole wheat bread with soft corn tortillas, or canned, frozen and dried fruits and vegetables in place of their fresh counterparts -- in order to reflect cultural differences and make it easier for people to participate.

The revised WIC program also provides incentives for women to continue breast-feeding by providing less formula to partially breast-fed infants, and giving fruit and vegetable vouchers of $10 to fully breast-feeding women, compared with $8 for all other women.

These changes have "the potential to transform not only the eating habits of WIC mothers, infants and young children, but the eating habits of all Americans," said Douglas Greenaway, executive director with the National WIC Association.USDA received more than 46,000 comments on the revisions. Most were supportive, USDA said, but criticism came from the dairy, juice and other industries that will be receiving less support.

Key reductions include the amount of eggs WIC recipients can buy with their vouchers, one dozen a month, down from 2 to 2-1/2 dozen. Juice for children ages 1 through 4 years, for example, would be reduced to 128 fluid ounces from 288, and milk would be cut to 16 quarts per month from 24 quarts."We have no issues at all with what they are trying to do, trying to include some fruits and vegetables. But we were hoping it wouldn't be done at the expense of eggs," said Howard Magwire, a spokesman with the United Egg Producers.

The National Milk Producers Federation said reducing milk and cheese support would deprive many WIC participants of key nutrients, such as calcium and potassium.USDA, which oversees the state-run programs, said states have until Aug. 5, 2009, to implement the changes.

A Washington think tank, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said in late November that up to half a million people could be denied WIC benefits in the coming year because of rising food prices and enrollment that was larger than expected. (Reporting by Christopher Doering; Editing by Walter Bagley).

Agriculture Secretary Joins Government Officials, Agriculture Industry to Collect... (Thu Dec 6, 2007 11:59am EST)

Agriculture Secretary Joins Government Officials, Agriculture Industry toCollect Plants, Christmas Trees for TroopsHARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Landscaping plants,Christmas trees, holiday decorations and clothing donated by Pennsylvanianurseries and state employees will help make troops in Iraq feel more at home,Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today.Various bare root landscaping plants, more than 30 evergreens, boxes ofornaments and agricultural clothing were shipped from a "Plants for Troops"event held today at the Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, which included Wolff,Major General Jessica Wright of the Department of Military and VeteransAffairs, Representative Tim Solobay, Gregg Robertson of the PennsylvaniaLandscape & Nursery Association, Jerry Yeatman of the Pennsylvania MushroomGrowers Association, Jeff Thompson of Eaton Farms and Fred Strathmeyer ofStrathmeyer Forest."I am grateful that commonwealth employees and the agriculture industry couldcome together to send our hardworking military men and women hearty plants andtrees this holiday season," said Wolff. "Thanks to their donations, ourtroops may find increased comfort on their tour of duty."Eaton Farms in Leesport, Berks County, provided bare root plants for theirability to grow in desert conditions. The landscaping plants will be plantedaround two military bases in Baghdad. Christmas trees from Strathmeyer Forest will also be distributed to the basesfor display during the holiday season. Pennsylvania state employees from theagriculture department and House of Representatives donated tree stands andornaments for use with the trees. Agricultural clothing, including shirts and hats, was donated by thePennsylvania Mushroom Growers Association.Mushroom growers and the 213th Family Support Group contributed shipping costsof the plants and trees, while the Pennsylvania Farm Show providedtransportation to the freight terminal. The Pennsylvania Landscape andNursery Association helped organize the event.

Climate change 'could wreck Oz agriculture' (Friday, 07 December 2007)

Australia's agricultural sector is set to be devastated by climate change, a new report to the federal government warns.
Fairfax newspapers report farmers face massive slumps in production and Australia risks sharp drops in agricultural export earnings if temperatures rise and rainfall dies up.
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) warns that production of wheat, sugar, dairy and beef could fall by about 10 per cent by 2030 if predicted climate change takes effect, Fairfax said.
By 2050, Australia's total economic output could fall by five per cent, with agricultural exports cut by up to 79 per cent.
ABARE chief economist Don Gunasekera said that climate change could ruin the agricultural sector without innovation such as genetic modification.
"But I think the message has to be not just doom and gloom, it's about how we can convert these challenges into opportunities," he said.

Agriculture Crop Production Report Provides the Information and Understanding You Need to Engage New

PR-USA.net (press release) - Varna,Bulgaria
The US agriculture sector includes 1 million crop farms covering 300 million acres, with combined annual revenue of $100 billion. ...
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Statement by Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner Regarding Congressional Approval of the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement

USDA.gov (press release) - Washington,DC,USA
US agriculture has been a staunch supporter of the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement because it creates new opportunities for US products that currently face ...
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Monsanto Announces Commitment to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Joins Chicago Climate Exchange(R)

CNNMoney.com - USA
The company said it would also work with farmer groups to discuss reducing carbon dioxide in the air by practicing no-till agriculture, which involves ...
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