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What Affects Fall Leaf Color

Chuck Zimmerman

I think the fall colors are fading here in mid Missouri. We have had some real contrasts this year and it seemed to me like the trees turned color in a couple of waves instead of all at once. Here’s our maple tree when it was in full color. So, have you wondered about the science behind leaf changing? Then …

USDA

Vilsack Talks Farm Bill at John Deere

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack chose the John Deere Des Moines Works facility to talk about his priorities for the 2012 Farm Bill, which he says is really a misnomer. “After all, for decades this bill has been about a whole lot more than just farming. It’s been about energy, it’s been about nutrition, it’s been about jobs. Now, some may …

Farm Bill, Farm Policy, John Deere, USDA

USDA-NASS Proposes Program Changes

Cindy Zimmerman

It would be nice to see all government agencies take a look at some programs that might be able to be cut to save tax dollars, like USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has done. In light of funding reductions in fiscal year (FY) 2011 and the likelihood of additional reductions in FY 2012, NASS conducted deliberate reviews of all programs …

USDA

New USDA-NASS Farm Computer Usage/Ownership Report

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time to analyze some new data about farm computer use and ownership. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistic Service has released a new report, “Farm Computer Usage and Ownership, August 2011.” Here’s the opening summary. It’s interesting to see that dialup access has dropped in half since the last report in 2009. Also note how high the percentages get as you …

Farming, Internet, USDA

USDA May Get Precision Ag Data

Chuck Zimmerman

I have now moved from Nebraska to Illinois for the 2011 InfoAg Conference. This is all about precision agriculture so most of our coverage will be found on Precision Pays. Thanks to Cindy we have coverage already started since I was a little slow moving this morning. Here’s her report on the opening session: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Acreage …

Audio, Precision Agriculture, USDA

USDA Replaces Pyramid with Plate

Cindy Zimmerman

Nutrition has a newer, rounder shape. Fruits and vegetables should make up half of our plates under the more user-friendly nutrition image released today by First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. USDA is ditching the long-used food pyramid for a plate. “I can already tell you how much this is going to help parents across the country,” …

USDA

Waiting for GIPSA

Cindy Zimmerman

It’s been 11 months since it was first published and six months since the comment period ended, but it will be several more months yet before USDA makes a decision on the proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule. “There were 66,000 comments, about 30,000 of which are unique,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told an agriculture committee meeting …

Beef, GIPSA, NCBA, NPPC, USDA

Lots of Trade Talking This Week

Cindy Zimmerman

Since May is World Trade Month, you would think it would be a great time for Congress to pass those pesky pending Free Trade Agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama that have been awaiting approval for years. Several of the nation’s largest agricultural organizations who testified before the House Agriculture Committee this week on why it is so important to …

AFBF, NCBA, NCGA, Trade, USDA

USDA Wants Input on Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement

Melissa Sandfort

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is requesting comment on the creation of a voluntary National Leafy Green Marketing Agreement that would assist all segments of the leafy green industry in meeting commercial food quality and safety requirements. To reflect the different climates, production practices and markets handling leafy green produce, USDA is proposing that there be eight regional zones represented …

Audio, USDA

Farmers Suing Army Corps Over Levee Breach

Cindy Zimmerman

Over 100,000 acres of prime southeast Missouri farmland is under water today after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers blew up a levee on the Mississippi River Monday night to save the town of Cairo, Illinois from flooding. The action was taken after attempts to stop it were exhausted by Missouri officials. The picture is a screen shot of the …

Audio, Corn, USDA