Huckabee visits Fla. orange groves, talks agriculture

Fort Lauderdale,FL,USA
US agriculture generates jobs far beyond those in farming and minimizes the country's dependence on other nations, Huckabee said. ...
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US lags in marine agriculture; can SouthCoast capitalize on this ...

New Bedford,MA,USA
Researchers hope their work and that of colleagues at other universities will launch a new marine agriculture industry for coastal North Carolina. ...
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Agriculture key as Kamal Nath talks to US, Europe

Malaysia
India stressed the importance of reaching an agreement on agriculture as Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath began meeting with his opposite numbers ...
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'Industrialisation should do justice to agriculture'

Chennai,India
"The tides of industrialisation and agriculture should not flow in opposite directions. Consensus has to be built so that the wheel of industrialisation ...
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People in agriculture

Salem,OR,USA
Chris Gregoire to represent agricultural producers in Northwestern Washington. He has held volunteer and leadership positions in a number of agricultural ...
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India’s Glorious Scientific Tradition-XLI Ancient Indian Agriculture

New Delhi,India
One finds the glorious mention of agriculture in the world’s oldest book, the Rigveda. “Do not gamble, cultivate and earn with respect. ...
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Beshear gets five-year plan from state agriculture council

Lexington,KY,USA
Farm leaders unveiled an ambitious and probably expensive five-year plan Friday to boost the state's agriculture industry, but Gov. ...
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Reading activities linked to agriculture

Galesburg,IL,USA
By SHERRIE TAYLOR Special reading day activities at AlWood Elementary School were related to the school’s year long theme, “Agriculture in Illinois. ...
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State of Agriculture in North Dakota

Bismarck,ND,USA
As for the state of agriculture in North Dakota Johnson says this is the best things have been in his lifetime. He does says though, there are two sides to ...
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Thinking the unthinkable: Agriculture under a 1949 farm bill

USA
Earlier this week, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) raised that possibility as talks between Peterson and acting Secretary of ...
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TRANSCRIPT OF REMARKS BY ACTING AGRICULTURE SECRETARY CHUCK CONNER ...

Washington,DC,USA
Now let me just say, folks, that I remember my dad filling out the Census of Agriculture. To be honest, he was cussing about it the whole time he was doing ...
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Grains rebound on US economic stimulus plan

UK
Nelson said fundamentals were positive for grains, with the US Agriculture Department slashing its estimate of surplus corn supplies in the United States ...
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UW College of Agriculture dean seeks input in Powell for academic plan

Dodge City,KS,USA
University of Wyoming College of Agriculture Dean Frank Galey will gather information to help develop the college's next academic plan Feb. 7, in Powell. ...
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Investing in Commodities Funds

Washington,DC,USA
You can capture the performance of the agricultural sector by investing in PowerShares DB Agriculture, an exchange-traded fund that invests in futures ...
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Film about Farm

USA
I'm glad to see he has it up on YouTube so other people can learn more about Full Circle Farm's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. ...
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Government Meets Demand for Agriculture Land

Basseterre,St. Kitts and Nevis
Basseterre, St. Kitts (January 24, 2008): Minister responsible for Agriculture Honourable Cedric Liburd has revealed that government continues to meet the ...
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Agriculture personnel receive project management training

St. Kitts and Nevis
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – The Departments of Fisheries and Cooperatives in the Ministry of Agriculture in Nevis in collaboration with Japan International ...
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Agriculture, precious metals 2008 picks - Deutsche

UK
FRANKFURT, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Agriculture and precious metals are Deutsche Bank's favourite investment sectors for 2008 as demand and prices for feedstocks ...
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Are You Missing the Agriculture Boom?

USA
With that in mind, I tuned into the tags for fertilizer and agricultural chemicals on The Motley Fool's CAPS service to see which ag-related stocks CAPS ...
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Agriculture exports grow despite spotty food quality

Hanoi,Vietnam
by Thu Lan Despite weaknesses in complying with world food safety standards, and the agricultural sector’s poor track record in attracting foreign ...
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Agriculture affecting Mississippi River more than climate change

Bristol,England,UK
Analysis of North America’s largest river indicates that changes in agricultural practices are affecting its water discharge and bicarbonate flux more than ...
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Schroders soft-closes its $3bn Agriculture fund

London,UK
By Mark Preskett Schroders has soft closed its giant Agriculture fund in the wake of strong investor demand. The fund, which uses futures contracts to track ...
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Angola: Agriculture Minister Assesses Animal Breeding Programme

Washington,USA
Angola's Agriculture and Rural Development minister Afonso Pedro Canga visits Friday Sisalinda agro-cattle-breeding farm in Caimbambo district, ...
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Benguela: Agriculture Minister Assesses Animal Breeding Programme

Angola
Benguela, 01/25 – Angola`s Agriculture and Rural Development minister Afonso Pedro Canga visits Friday Sisalinda agro-cattle-breeding farm in Caimbambo ...
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District 15 team closely watching hearings today

Devils Lake,ND,USA
Ed Schafer for Secretary of Agriculture is held in Washington. Oehlke says he’s elated to see a North Dakotan in such a prominent role in the Bush ...
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Register now for February's eagles and agriculture event in Carson ...

Reno,NV,USA
Wildlife lovers are invited to mark their calendars for this year's upcoming Eagles and Agriculture event. The event features bird-of-prey viewing and ...
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Bird Flu Flares Up Anew

USA
... deadly H5N1 viral strain remains a global threat and requires close monitoring and strong controls, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization said today. ...
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US Sold Cuba $600M in Agriculture Goods

NY,USA
Cuba imported roughly the same amount of agricultural products as it did in 2006, but rising production and transportation costs forced it to spend $30 ...
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Three Mega Agriculture Projects To Go Full Swing With SDC

Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia
The projects are considered to have the right ingredients to enhance the state's agriculture sector as well as the income of the people involved in ...
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Few Objections to Ag Department Nominee

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators on Thursday urged President Bush' pick for agriculture secretary to work with farm-state lawmakers on the five-year farm bill ...
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Clyde Agriculture farewells its founding boss

Townsville,Queensland,Australia
By By Peter Austin David Boyd, this month ceases to run Australia's biggest woolgrowing enterprise, Clyde Agriculture, just as the drought breaks and good ...
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K3mil for Morobe agriculture projects

Port Moresby,Papua New Guinea
By BONNIE ABOLA THREE agricultural stakeholders of Morobe are the first to receive NADP funding through the Agriculture and Livestock Department. ...
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Subsidies and High Crop Prices

Washington,DC,USA
The [ethanol] policy is having a significant adverse impact on a significant sector of our agriculture, while I admit it is helping some farmers. ...
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NS agriculture minister says chickens in city might be OK in ...

Nova Scotia's agriculture minister is weighing in on the great chicken debate. Brooke Taylor says he hopes Halifax won't be too hard on a city ...
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Hoosier High-Tech Agriculture: The World Depends on It

Chicago,IL,USA
“In 1812, about 85 percent of the US population was directly engaged in the agriculture industry,” Layden said in an interview with MidwestBusiness.com. ...
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Confirmation hearings today for post of Secretary of Agriculture ...

Devils Lake,ND,USA
“I think he was a terrific governor and I think he’ll be a terrific Secretary of Agriculture,’’ said Dan Traynor of Devils Lake, who worked for the ...
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Vulnerable agriculture

Mumbai,Maharashtra,India
What should cause concern in India is the evidence gradually unfolding, that Indian agriculture, despite being a relatively minor contributor to greenhouse ...
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Environmental protection in China Don't drink the water and don't ...

Economist - UK
SEPA officials say they could do little: the crab farms fall under the Ministry of Agriculture, waste-water treatment plants under local governments and the ...
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El Paso Farmer Receives Distinguished Texan in Agriculture Award

AgNews - TX,USA
COLLEGE STATION - William T. "Bill" Lovelady of El Paso was honored with a Texas A&M Distinguished Texan in Agriculture Award recently as a third-generation ...
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A Long-Term Bull on Agriculture

U.S. News & World Report - Washington,DC,USA
By Liz Wolgemuth Auxier Asset Management founder Jeff Auxier is no stranger to the whims of agriculture. Auxier keeps watch over hazelnut and timber crops ...
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Angola: Agriculture Specialists Continue Drought Impact Assessment

AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
Specialists of Angola Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Minader) continue assessing the impact of drought on agricultural production in ...
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Small fire causes little problem at Chicago Board of Trade

Chicago Tribune - United States
Haffenberg says trading in the agriculture room is expected to start at 9:30 am as usual. Electrical problems stemming from the fire might prevent ...
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College of Agriculture career expo brings students, employers together

The Daily Toreador (subscription) - Lubbock,TX,USA
Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources hosted its annual career fair Wednesday in the Student Union Building Ballroom. ...
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PSS clobbers Agriculture, 3 others win in gov’t softball league

Marianas Variety - Saipan,Northern Mariana Islands,Micronesia
By Roselyn B. Monroyo THE Public School System eased past Department of Agriculture, 24-5, in the men’s division of the 2007-2008 season of the ...
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US hints at cutting subsidies; expects others to follow suit

Hindu - Chennai,India
Earlier, India's Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said Europe has indicated its willingness to review subsidies on agriculture products provided ...
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Agriculture Ministry wants more foreign workers for Gaza border farms

Jerusalem Post - Israel
By YAAKOV LAPPIN The Agriculture Ministry has called on the government to increase the number of foreign workers in Gaza Strip periphery communities. ...
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Agriculture Minister seeks ICAR's research

IndiaEduNews.net - New Delhi,India
New Delhi: Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Sharad Pawar has shown his dissatisfaction over the slow rate of innovations and research activities being carried ...
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World Bank: Without agriculture growth, poverty in Yemen will increase

Yemen Times - Sana'a,Yemen
23 — The World Bank presented its 2008 World Development Report on Wednesday, which featured plans for more investment in the agriculture sector of Yemen’s ...
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New Publication Reveals Income's Impact on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

A new publication by the USDA's Economic Research Service reports the findings of a study on how a household's income impacts what they eat. Are Lower Income Households Willing and Able To Budget for Fruits and Vegetables? (PDF/290 KB), reports that for six out of seven selected types of food, households with an income below 130 percent of the poverty line spend less money than higher income households. However, these households, when given a small increase in income, will allocate more money to only two out of the seven products, beef and frozen prepared foods. These foods may be priorities for reasons of taste and convenience. For additional money to be allocated to fruits and vegetables, a household’s income needs to be slightly greater than 130 percent of the poverty line.

New Study Reveals Benefits of Switchgrass-based Ethanol

Switchgrass grown for biofuel production produced 540 percent more energy than needed to grow, harvest and process it into cellulosic ethanol, according to estimates from a large on-farm study by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Results from the five-year study involving fields on farms in three states highlights the prairie grass' potential as a biomass fuel source that yields significantly more energy than is consumed in production and conversion into cellulosic ethanol. USAgNet reports this is the largest study to date examining the net energy output, greenhouse gas emissions, biomass yields, agricultural inputs and estimated cellulosic ethanol production from switchgrass grown and managed for biomass fuel. A research paper on the findings can be found here.

Study Shows Organic Transition Improved Soil

A study appearing in the Agronomy Journal documented the effect of the transition to organic farming on chemical and biochemical properties of a loam soil through a succession of five crop cycles over a 3-year period. This Spanish study, "Effect of Implementing Organic Farming on Chemical and Biochemical Properties of an Irrigated Loam Soil," found organically fertilized soils showed an increase in quantity and quality of organic matter, and an improvement in nutrient content, compared to inorganically fertilized soils. The study also noted that in general, animal compost improved chemical and biological properties more than vegetal compost.

Manure Management Enhances Value

Ohio researchers say that when animal manure is managed as a nutrient resource, it can generate a nutrient value of up to $136 per acre, says an article on Ohio Ag Connection. In addition to this direct nutrient value, manure can also add micronutrients, organics, and biologicals to the soil, improving soil health and water-holding capacity. By contrast, manure that is over-applied and poorly spread on the soil surface provides fewer nutrients to the soil and results in nutrient loss to the environment.

Poultry Litter Fertilizer Raises Phosphorus and Copper Levels

Testing in North Carolina shows that fields and pastures where poultry litter has been spread as fertilizer show high levels of phosphorus and copper, reports the Winston-Salem Journal. In one county, 84 percent of fields tested had high or very high levels of phosphorus, and 98 percent had high levels of copper. These levels are a concern for crop production, as well as potential groundwater contamination.

USDA Enrolls One Millionth Acre in Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program

USDA has enrolled the one millionth acre in its nationwide Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). A component of USDA's Conservation Reserve Program, CREP is a voluntary land retirement program that helps agricultural producers protect environmentally sensitive land, decrease erosion, restore wildlife habitat and safeguard ground and surface water. Partnering with tribal, state and federal governments and, in some cases, private groups, USDA establishes contracts with agricultural producers to retire highly erodible and other sensitive cropland and pastureland. During the 10- to 15-year contract period, participants convert enrolled land to grass, trees, wetlands, wildlife cover and other conservation uses.

Study Shows Organic Transition Improved Soil

A study appearing in the Agronomy Journal documented the effect of the transition to organic farming on chemical and biochemical properties of a loam soil through a succession of five crop cycles over a 3-year period. This Spanish study, "Effect of Implementing Organic Farming on Chemical and Biochemical Properties of an Irrigated Loam Soil," found organically fertilized soils showed an increase in quantity and quality of organic matter, and an improvement in nutrient content, compared to inorganically fertilized soils. The study also noted that in general, animal compost improved chemical and biological properties more than vegetal compost.

24th January 2008

Don't blame wild birds for H5N1 spread - expert
Reuters - USA... international wildlife coordinator for avian influenza at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation, said at a bird flu conference in Bangkok. ...See all stories on this topic

New agriculture commissioner meets local farmers
Eagle Tribune - North Andover,MA,USABy Gordon Fraser , Staff writer BRENTWOOD - Lorraine Merrill's first day on the job last month was pretty typical for a new state agriculture commissioner. ...See all stories on this topic

Africa: World Bank Offering US $4 Million in Grants for ...
AllAfrica.com - Washington,USAThe competition this year is focused on the theme of “Sustainable Agriculture for Development.” It is asking participants to focus on solutions to ...See all stories on this topic

Turkey culls poultry to stop spread of bird flu
Reuters India - Mumbai,IndiaThe Agriculture Ministry said checkpoints had been set up at the entrance to the villages and six culling centres had been built in Zonguldak province, ...See all stories on this topic

Millionaire Schafer a shoo-in as new agriculture secretary
Reuters - USABy Charles Abbott WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Millionaire businessman Ed Schafer seems a shoo-in for Senate approval as US agriculture secretary for the last ...See all stories on this topic

Utah tells residents to check pantries for beans
Salt Lake Tribune - United StatesAP That's the message from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. Officials are advising people to check for large cans of green beans and garbanzo ...See all stories on this topic

Agriculture panel will consider Schafer nomination Thursday
Dickinson Press - Dickinson,ND,USAEd Schafer will go before a Senate committee Thursday to explain why he is the best choice to head the US Department of Agriculture. ...See all stories on this topic

Doha talks push ahead but sticky issues persist
Reuters India - Mumbai,IndiaWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Agriculture negotiations in the World Trade Organization's Doha round are slowly moving forward, but serious divisions remain on ...See all stories on this topic

Mercer farmer joins state agriculture board
The Times of Trenton - NJ.com - Trenton,NJ,USAW. Scott Ellis of Yardville and Ann M. Dorsett of Woolwich Township were selected at the February 2007 State Agricultural Convention and later nominated by ...See all stories on this topic

23rd January 2008

Nigeria: Governor Ali Pledges Priority to Agriculture
AllAfrica.com - Washington,USAYobe State Governor, Senator Mamman Bello Ali, said the state government will continue to accord agriculture the priority it deserved in the state. ...See all stories on this topic

$25 million to be split among energy projects
MiamiHerald.com - Miami,FL,USAThe grants are part of Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson's Farm to Fuel initiative. The program is designed to ...See all stories on this topic

Agriculture sector springboard for industrialization in Africa
Afrique en ligne - Angers,France"The strong agricultural society can serve as a springboard to such economic transformation if African governments invest in the processing of African ...See all stories on this topic

Action: Agriculture Showcase slated for March 1 at FDL Co. Fairgrounds
The Reporter - Fond du Lac,WI,USAEveryone knows where their food comes from, but it is very easy to forget the enormous impact that agriculture has upon their lives. ...See all stories on this topic

Agriculture land tax policy under review

Calaveras Enterprise (subscription) - San Andreas, CA, USA
The Williamson Act, or California Land Conservation Act of 1965, provides tax breaks to property owners who maintain their property for agricultural uses. ...See all stories on this topic

FDA Warns Public of Possible Botulism Risk (January 18, 2008)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that New Era Canning Company, New Era, Mich., is expanding its product recall because of potential Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) contamination to all canned green beans and garbanzo beans distributed by the company nationwide over the last five years. C. botulinum can cause botulism, a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition. The affected cans are large institutional-sized containers, weighing approximately six and a half pounds.

Symptoms of botulism poisoning in humans can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first, then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, and calves. Botulism poisoning also can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided. Individuals who have these symptoms and who may have recently eaten the products under recall or other food products made with them should seek immediate medical attention.

To date, no illnesses have been reported to the FDA; however, consumers should not consume these products, even if they appear to be normal, because of the potential serious risk to health. Consumers who have the affected products or who have used them in recipes should immediately throw the cans and food away.

New Era took this voluntary action in the interest of public health in accordance with FDA's recall request. The company is taking immediate action to retrieve all inventories of the products throughout the distribution chain, including consumers' homes, nursing homes, schools, warehouses, restaurants, retail stores, health care facilities, and other facilities.

For specific brands and codes of green beans and garbanzo beans that are subject to this recall, consumers and retailers can access this information at the following link: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/newera.html. Please note that New Era produces canned products under other brand names and labels. Therefore, the recalled products may not necessarily be labeled with New Era's name. Also, the cans may bear a variety of product codes or no codes at all. Regardless of brand name or label, or the presence or absence of a code, the recalled cans should not be opened or used, and should be disposed of as described below. Consumers who are not sure if a product is subject to the recall should still throw it out as a precaution.

Any food that may contain the recalled canned beans should be disposed of carefully. Even tiny amounts of the C. botulinum toxin can cause serious illness when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the eye or a break in the skin. Skin contact should be avoided as much as possible, and hands should be washed immediately after handling the food.

When disposing of these products, double-bag the cans in plastic bags. Make sure the bags are tightly closed, then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home. Restaurants and institutions should ensure that such products are only placed in locked receptacles that are not accessible to the public. Additional instructions for safe disposal may be found at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/botulism_g.htm . Anyone with questions may call FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.

FDA and the Michigan Department of Agriculture launched a joint investigation of New Era's processing plant. This investigation resulted in the identification of C. botulinum contamination in several lots of canned green beans and one lot of garbanzo beans, the identification of serious food violations, and this expanded recall. Original findings of this investigation resulted in the company voluntarily recalling green beans in December 2007 (http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01764.html ), and green beans, Mexican-style chili beans, and dark red kidney beans in January (http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/newera01_08.html ).

FDA initiated the inspection at New Era, along with inspections of other low acid canned food (LACF) manufacturers, following four cases of botulism in consumers who had consumed canned hot dog chili sauce in the summer of 2007. In light of these botulism cases, FDA increased its inspection efforts to assure that manufacturers of all types of LACF products are adhering to applicable FDA requirements. These actions illustrate the need for companies to operate under adequate preventive control systems.

As part of the ongoing investigation, FDA issued an Order of Need for Emergency Permit to New Era. This order prohibits the manufacture and shipment of the company's low acid canned foods across state lines until they demonstrate to FDA's satisfaction that the products are safe. In addition, the Michigan Department of Agriculture, under its state authority, has embargoed New Era's entire inventory of low acid canned products contained in the company's warehouses in Michigan. As a result, New Era is not currently distributing any products.

Prevention of foodborne illness is a key element of the FDA's new Food Protection Plan , launched November 6, 2007.

22nd January 2008

California sends first trade mission to Cuba
Reuters - USA
"Some of us might be a little late in getting here, but we are here," California Food and Agriculture Secretary AG Kawamura told reporters in Havana. ...
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agriculture competitions
Cay Compass - Grand Cayman,Cayman Islands
From produce and piglets to steers and straw work, residents are invited to submit their entries for the various competitions in the Agricultural Show on ...
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Labs cultivate agriculture awareness
The Tribune-Democrat - Johnstown,PA,USA
Pupils don’t always make the connection between agriculture – the state’s leading industry – and the food on their tables. Enter the Pennsylvania Farm ...
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Angola: Agriculture Official Defends Banks Intervention
AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
The provincial director of Agriculture and Rural Development in eastern Moxico province, António da Silva, Monday here defended the involvement of banking ...
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Gates Foundation's agriculture aid a hard sell
Seattle Times - United States
But the foundation's nascent agricultural program is encountering more resistance than much of its other work, with critics concerned that its ...
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23rd January 2008

Chinese agriculture ministry warns of grave animal epidemic in Spring
Xinhua - China
22 (Xinhua) -- China's Agriculture Minister Sun Zhengcai said on Tuesday some regions in the country were at high risk of serious animal epidemics in Spring ...
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DM2008 - Agriculture for Sustainable Development
World Bank Group - Washington,DC,USA
The 2008 Global Development Marketplace competition (DM2008) seeks proposals on the theme of Sustainable Agriculture for Development. ...
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Gov’t scouts for new rice areas
Inquirer.net - Philippines
By Amy R. Remo MANILA, Philippines--The Department of Agriculture is looking for new areas to be planted to rice this year to raise production. ...
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Agriculture In Bangladesh Declines; ADB To Offer $100000 In Funding
AHN - USA
Dacca, Bangladesh (AHN) - The share of agriculture to gross domestic product has declined as the economy expands in Bangladesh, one of the world's poorest ...
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Agriculture stocks not dead

Squawk Box Trade of the Day: Agriculture stocks not dead
CNNMoney.com - USA
22, 2008 (Thomson Financial delivered by Newstex) -- Agriculture stocks have been hit very hard in recent sessions on worries that a worldwide recession ...

California Agriculture Secretary visits Cuba

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Granma International - La Habana,Cuba
California Agriculture Secretary Arthur Cawuamura, confirmed here on Monday that he is visiting Cuba on an exploratory mission to promote the sale of ...

New Trimble Agriculture Manager System Improves Productivity of ...

Earthtimes - London,UK
22 -- Trimble today introduced its Web-based Agriculture Manager(TM) asset management system which combines Global Positioning Systems (GPS), ...

Dorgan Expects Schafer Will Be Next Secretary of Agriculture (21/01/2008)

Senator Dorgan says he expects former North Dakota governor Ed Schafer will easily be confirmed as the next US Secretary of Agriculture.

Senate Ag committee chair Tom Harkin has scheduled confirmation hearings on Schafer`s nomination on Thursday.

Dorgan and Senator Kent Conrad plan to accompany Schafer to the hearings.

"Ed Schafer is a North Dakotan, and it`s an honor to have him in that position," Dorgan says. "We`re trying to work through a farm bill right now. We`ve got a couple threats of presidential vetoes against the House and the Senate, but we`re hoping to work through that to avoid that."

Dorgan says he expects to hear an answer on Schafer`s nomination by next week.

14th January 2008

Meat company recalls beef after 5 illnesses reported in Wisconsin
Chicago Tribune - United States
Rochester Meat Co. of Rochester issued the recall after five illnesses were reported in Wisconsin and one in California, the US Agriculture Department's ...
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Agriculture briefs
Dubuque Telegraph Herald - Dubuque,IA,USA
EDGEWOOD, Iowa -- Iowa State University Extension and the Iowa Beef Center will team up with Kansas State University's Department of Agricultural Economics ...
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We'll take care of you, Buddha tells farmers
Times of India - India
The state remains committed to industrialization, Bhattacharjee said, but in balance with agriculture. The message to the Opposition and dissenting Left ...
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Minot Daily News Gives Nod to State-Invested Refinery | KXNet.com ...
Reiten Television KXMB Bismarck - Bismarck,ND,USA
With oil drilling and exploration exploding in the western part of the state, some state legislators and Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson have formed ...
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Race for drought-tolerant crops on
TVNZ - New Zealand
Last December, Jacques Diouf, the head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, warned that people were already starting to go hungry in poor countries ...
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Agriculture officials increase bird flu vigilance
AntiguaSun - St' John's,Antigua and Barbuda
by Nikisha Smith Illegal importation of poultry products from the Dominican Republic will increase the country’s exposure to the H5N2 Avian Influenza. ...
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Reuters Summit-Malaysia may launch palm diesel in '08-MPOB chief
Reuters UK - UK
(For other news from the Reuters Global Agriculture and Biofuel Summit, click on www.reuters.com/summit/GlobalAgricultureandBiofuels08?pid =500) KUALA ...
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Stress on farm planning for sustaining agriculture
Hindu - Chennai,India
CHENNAI: Speakers at a recent training programme on the role of NGOs in rural regeneration through agriculture focused on farm planning as the key to ...
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Richmond gets chance to get it right Agriculture's changing future
Palladium-Item - Richmond,IN,USA
Hogs were always just a part of agriculture; "being allowed" was not in the vocabulary. They were on practically every farm; back lots, too. ...
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Reuters Summit-Biofuel impact on farm prices overplayed
Guardian Unlimited - UK
"Closing your eyes and blaming the current high prices to biofuels is just too simplistic," he told the Reuters Global Agriculture and Biofuel Summit. ...
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Economic impact of Texas Agriculture hits record $100 billion
Southwest Farm Press - Overland Park,KS,USA
Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples touted the work ethic of Texas farmers and ranchers Tuesday discussing an economic milestone. ...
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USGC: Agriculture Wins With Implementation Of NAFTA
CattleNetwork.com - Overland Park,KS,USA
WASHINGTON , DC , January 14, 2008 – On January 1, 2008, agricultural trade between Mexico and the United States became completely duty-free with the end of ...
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Completing Census Of Agriculture Benefits Local Farmers And ...
North American Press Syndicate - New York,NY,USA
(NAPSI)-When the Census of Agriculture rolls around every five years, Darwin Miller sees its benefit both as the owner of a farm and as an agricultural ...
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GRAIN HIGHLIGHTS: World Wheat Prices, Japan , USDA, Acreage Battle
CattleNetwork.com - Overland Park,KS,USA
TOKYO (Nikkei)--The Agriculture Ministry is in talks with domestic flour-milling companies to raise government-set prices of imported wheat by around 30% ...
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South Africa: Dept Awards 25 Bursaries for Agri, Land Courses
AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
Twenty-five matriculants in Mpumalanga have been given bursaries to study towards various careers in the fields of agriculture and land administration. ...
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States plan incentives for agriculture marketing
Business Standard - Mumbai,Maharashtra,India
The agriculture ministry is considering liberal incentives to the private entities to encourage them to set up wholly privately owned and operated markets ...
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Corn Hits Fresh High on Supply Concerns
The Associated Press -
Investors snapped up corn contracts for a second straight session after the US Department of Agriculture released a bullish report Friday projecting a steep ...
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Foundation for Agriculture Presents Eagle Awards
Farm Bureau News - USA
NEW ORLEANS, January 14, 2008 – Alaska Farm Bureau and Nebraska Farm Bureau received Eagle Awards from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture ...
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Texas agriculture hit $100 billion in 2007
Waco Tribune Herald - Waco,TX,USA
By Ken Sury | Monday, January 14, 2008, 10:33 AM According to the Southwest Farm Press Web site, the economic impact of Texas agriculture contributed $100 ...
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13th January 2008

Census of Agriculture forms due in early February
The Southern - Carbondale,IL,USA
By Codell Rodriguez, The Southern It took Randy Browning of West Frankfort an hour and a half to fill out the Census of Agriculture this year. ...
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Lake Land, MHS land grant to help provide agriculture education

MATTOON — Autumn Gillespie isn’t a farmer’s daughter. In fact, the Mattoon High School senior really doesn’t have any sort of agriculture background.

However, this hasn’t stopped Gillespie from buying her own horse; she just keeps it at a friend’s stable rather than at her house. She is also active in the rodeo circuit and is looking forward to pursuing a career in the agriculture industry.

“I have known for a very, very long time that I want to go into veterinary medicine,” she said.

This year, when the opportunity arose for her to take agriculture classes at her high school, Gillespie said she was thrilled. She signed up for the animal science class and also the newly formed FFA chapter, of which she was elected president.

“Five of us went to the National FFA Convention this year and it was a wonderful opportunity. The sessions were very inspiring,” she said.

Gillespie and her classmates received funding for the trip through a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant.

The grant, which was secured by Lake Land College and Mattoon High School, is worth nearly $50,000. These funds will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Lake Land and the high school.

It all started when, a little more than a year ago, Lake Land officials learned that MHS was considering a new agriculture program. The college became an active part of the process.

“Curt Rincker, Lake Land agriculture instructor and division chair, joined forces with the Mattoon administration to assist with the planning and development of the program,” said Ron Sanderson, Lake Land special projects coordinator.

Rincker and Sanderson are co-project directors for the grant.

Lake Land works with other schools in the area to ensure their agriculture curriculums are aligned with and students are prepared to enter Lake Land ag programs after high school.

“With Mattoon being the largest high school in the college’s district, myself and Lake Land officials felt it was important to work with the school to generate interest in and provide exposure to the numerous career opportunities in agriculture,” Rincker said.

“Because we are located in the heart of an agriculture region, it is important to train students for agriculture-related jobs and ensure that continuity exists between the secondary and postsecondary educational programs,” said Jeri Beel, director of grants development.

Mattoon already has 100 students enrolled in the agriculture program, which was one of five goals set forth through the grant.

Another goal is to help train 20 middle and high school teachers in the Mattoon district on how to incorporate agriculture into their existing curriculums. This correlates with the third goal, which is to promote agriculture careers to middle school students so that interested students select the proper classes in high school which will prepare them to enroll in a college agriculture program and eventually obtain an associate degree or higher in an agriculture-related field, said Beel.

“We also wanted to create an out-of-the-classroom experience, such as field trips or the National FFA Convention,” Beel said.

The final goal for the grant is to develop a model for agriculture education so that other schools interested in implementing a similar program would have a step-by-step procedure to emulate.

Gillespie, an example of a student this grant has helped, already is planning to attend Lake Land next fall before transferring to Eastern Illinois University to finish an undergraduate degree. From there, she said she plans to attend the University of Illinois.

“It has definitely helped me out to be able to take agriculture classes in my high school and to be involved in FFA,” she said, adding that FFA “is not just about agriculture — it opens up so many opportunities.”