AM markets: wheat falls anew, despite US crop deterioration

The proportion of the crop in Kansas, the top growing state, rated "good" or "excellent" fell by 2 points week on week to 36%, amid "dry, windy conditions", US Department of Agriculture data overnight showed. In Oklahoma, the rating dropped by 2 points to 40%, and in Texas, where "precipitation across the state was scarce", by 1 point to 34%.

Bird flu cases revive fear of repeat of major 2015 outbreak

In this April 20, 2015 file photo, a sign warning visitors to stay away from an infected turkey farm in Melrose, Minn. The detection of a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu at a Tennessee chicken farm is reviving memories of a widespread domestic outbreak in 2015 that required the slaughter of millions of turkeys and chickens.

PM markets: grain prices trim gains as funds take a breather

Ideas of the Brazilian soybean and corn harvest got another boost, while crop reports from the US southern Plains showed little reason to start fretting over drought damage to winter wheat yet, and absent fund buying, grain markets trimmed their recent gains. The latest forecast for Brazilian soybeans from FC Stone came in at a hefty 109.07m tonnes, nearly 5m tonnes up from its February forecast, with favourable weather across most of the country's growing regions.

Backyard gardening makes comeback –

The Union Times Brussel Sprouts and Collard Greens like these growing in the Piedmont Physic Garden are among the many types of fruit and vegetables that can be grown in a backyard garden. Backyard gardening is making a comeback in South Carolina in response to the expansion of food deserts in communities across the state.

Hangry in the school caf: Sharing some food is off the table

School officials in a Connecticut town are criticizing new restrictions on lunchroom "share tables," which encourage students to donate uneaten food for any classmates who may be hungry. The concept has been promoted by the U.S. Agriculture Department as a way to reduce waste, but it is up to local governments to determine what health codes will allow.

Fundraiser starts for urban farm resource center in Detroit

State economic development officials and a nonprofit urban farming group have launched a crowdfunded campaign to turn a vacant Detroit building into a community resource center. The campaign to raise $50,000 was launched Tuesday by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and Michigan Urban Farming Initiative.

The Latest: USDA reposts some online animal welfare records

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reposted some animal welfare records following complaints from animal rights groups and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer . The records posted Friday do not include inspection reports on other animal facilities such as horse and dog breeding centers.

For beginning farmers, From the mailbox

This is a time of tremendous opportunity in farming and ranching for beginners graduating from college or looking to start a venture of their own. Alternative crops and high value markets offer profit potential and lower risk for new farmers.a a If land ownership is the preferred route, funding will have to come from savings, bootstrapping, investors/partners, or loans.

USDA removes animal welfare reports from its website

The Agriculture Department has removed animal welfare inspection reports, enforcement records and other information about animal breeding and research facilities from its website, citing privacy and other laws. Tanya Espinosa, a spokeswoman for USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service , says the information was removed from the site around 11 a.m. Friday.

Hammerich, Neuhart keynote speakers at annual meeting

It will be held at the Fort Morgan Home Plate Restaurant, 19873 U.S. Hwy. 34. Breakfast will be at 8 a.m. and the meeting will start at 9 a.m. The cost of the meeting will be $25 in advance, and that will cover the annual meeting, annual membership in Morgan Conservation District, and free breakfast that morning.

Facebook atwitter over friendly fox sightings in southern Minnesota

A friendly pet fox named Notchi has gone missing from his Lake-ville home and is gallivanting across southern Minnesota, despite multiple run-ins with humans, a social media campaign and a $1,000 reward for his return. Notchi, a tame, 8-month-old red fox, was rescued from a fur farm as a kit by Mikayla Raines, 21, who has a USDA license to keep foxes.

Scientists get political after government gag order and climate change reversal

The U.S. Department of Agriculture placed a gag order on its main research division , BuzzFeed reported Tuesday morning, which includes bans on sharing scientific summaries of papers, social media posts and talking to the press. The USDA confirmed the gag order was sent out, but then lifted the ban Tuesday evening following public outcry, BuzzFeed reported.

Report: Trump administration clamping down on some government social media accounts

According to a report at Politico, social media accounts belonging to federal agencies like the EPA and USDA are being restricted by the incoming Trump administration. Case in point, earlier today an account for Badlands National Park tweeted out some climate change information but all of those tweets were later deleted: Politico reports the disappearance of those tweets is in line with guidance being sent out to some agencies about how they are to use their social media accounts : At EPA, the lockdown extends well beyond formal coordinated messaging.