BIODIESEL
"No one ever gets everything they want"
Wisconsin Democrat and House Ag Committee member Steve Kagen says the farm bill from the conference committee is good for the agricultural economy, good for people and good for our health.
Wisconsin study says with just ethanol, corn would be $2.95
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison says ethanol is not the main cause for food price inflation.
Energy trading provision in farm bill
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) says the new rule closes the so-called "Enron Loophole".
Bush talks up cellolosic ethanol; pushes free trade deal
President Bush says ethanol is part of the solution to help ease gas price pain.
Texas governor asks for Renewable Fuels Standard waiver
Citing skyrocketing food prices, Governor Rick Perry has asked for a 50% reduction in the RFS. Supporters of the Standard say a reduction would do little if anything to food prices while taking 4.5 billion gallons out of the nation's fuel supply.
FFA students optimistic about ag's future
A recent survey of FFA students in Iowa found an increasing majority optimistic about the future of agriculture – and, wanting to farm.
There are a number of factors causing high food prices
While some blame ethanol, the executive director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council says there are numerous contributors to the problem. Everything from growing world demand for protein to sky-rocketing transportation costs.
Have we been down this road before?
Scott Stewart with Stewart-Peterson says the current flush of spec fund money in the commodity markets is similar to what happened with subprime mortgages, savings & loans and the dot-coms. If the economy turns down and the money flow dries up, we could see a pretty substantial drop in prices.
USDA/GOVERNMENT
Schafer disparages, senators defend new farm bill
U.S. Ag Secretary Ed Schafer held a teleconference to blast the House-Senate Farm Bill Conference Report. Not long after, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad and Senate Ag Committee Chairman Tom Harkin held a press conference of their own to defend the new farm bill.
"No one ever gets everything they want"
Wisconsin Democrat and House Ag Committee member Steve Kagen says the farm bill from the conference committee is good for the agricultural economy, good for people and good for our health.
This farm bill is a missed opportunity
Throughout the entire farm bill process, Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind has led an effort to completely reform farm policy. Kind says special interests just had too much influence to overcome.
Farm bill heads for Congressional passage next week
The House of Represenatives and U.S. Senate will vote on the Farm Bill Conference Report next week, as farm bill negotiators announced they had agreed on the final version of the measure during a Washington D.C. press conference Thursday afternoon. But after the media event, it became clear the pending legislation will have to overcome a veto by President Bush to actually make it into law.
MFB pleased with state ag department funding
Missouri Farm Bureau is pleased with the funding approved for the Department of Agriculture by the General Assembly.
CSP sign-up extended
Producers have two extra weeks to apply for the USDA’s Conservation Security Program.
Corn-based ethanol supporters fighting back
Ethanol-friendly Senators and USDA are both taking steps to rally support for the renewable fuel, which has come under serious attack by oil and meat industry interests.
Wisconsin study says with just ethanol, corn would be $2.95
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison says ethanol is not the main cause for food price inflation.
MARKETS
Old crop soybean stocks smaller than expected
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, domestic 2007/08 soybean stocks have dwindled quicker than anticipated.
U.S. winter wheat crop tops 1.77 billion bushels
The United States Department of Agriculture forecasts the 2008 U.S. winter wheat crop at 1.778 billion bushels, up sharply from the 2007 total of 1.515 billion bushels.
Weekly corn and bean exports hit marketing year low
The United States Department of Agriculture reports that corn, soybean and wheat export sales, for the week ending May 1, were lower than expected.
Analysts project increase for old crop corn stocks
The United States Department of Agriculture is scheduled to release updated ending stocks estimates for corn, soybeans and wheat, along with U.S. wheat production figures Friday, May 9 at 7:30 AM Central.
Allendale expecting lowest new crop corn stocks in more than a decade
Ahead of the United States Department of Agriculture's next production and stocks update, Allendale Inc. is projecting an increase in soybean stocks, a decrease for corn and the biggest U.S. wheat crop since 2003.
Soybean and wheat export inspections within estimates
The United States Department of Agriculture reports that soybean and wheat export inspections, for the week ending May 1, 2008, were within pre-report estimates, while corn was below all expectations.
Soybean and wheat exports within estimates
The United States Department of Agriculture reports that soybean, soybean oil and wheat export sales, for the week ending April 24, were within pre-report expectations.
Export inspections below previous week's totals
The United States Department of Agriculture reports that corn, soybean and wheat export inspections, for the week ending April 24, were below the previous week's totals.
