Maine delegation calls for dairy farmer relief from USDA

Maine's congressional delegation is calling for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make emergency changes to help dairy farmers who are struggling with low prices. Democratic Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says farm milk prices have dropped nearly 40 percent in recent years, leaving New England dairy farmers in trouble.

Optimism in advance of Ohio crop harvest

Though some of Ohio's corn and soybean farmers might be pessimistic about this year's yield, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is not. Despite the excessive rain that fell in Ohio and the necessary replanting for many, sometimes multiple times, the USDA has a reasonably sunny prediction for Ohio's average yield on corn, soybeans and wheat.

More restrictions announced for toxic pesticide

California moved a step closer Friday to banning a widely used agricultural pesticide linked to birth defects, openly departing from the Trump administration's decision to walk back an Obama-era effort to ban the chemical. Growers and other users will be asked to increase the buffer zone between fields where they spray the pesticide and inhabited areas such as homes and schools, the state Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday.

Senators: Federal purchase to help NY concord grape growers

Concord grape growers in New York are getting a boost from the federal government, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture planning to buy juice for nutrition programs. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand say the USDA will use up to $18 million to purchase surplus grape juice, which will help stabilize prices farmers receive.

Border Patrol vehicle sprayed with manure after immigration argument

A Vermont man's alleged weapon of choice during an argument about immigration enforcement with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent was liquid manure. Mark Johnson, who says his livelihood in agriculture has been nearly ruined by illegal immigrants working on local farms, is accused of spraying a border patrol vehicle with manure on Aug. 3 at the edge of a farm field about two miles south of the Canadian border.

US Table Top Trade Show , Goa August 18-19, 2017

The largest gathering of american food importers in goa under forum of indian food importers and us department of agriculture PANAJI, India - Aug. 16, 2017 - PRLog -- Goa -- US Government's Department of Agriculture in India and Forum of Indian Food Importers have partnered together to do the first ever Table top trade show featuring American food and beverages in Goa. Hospitality partners Hotel Grand Hyatt and Hard Rock are hosting the event for 24 importing firms and U.S. cooperator groups, who represent various high quality US food and beverages brands in country.

That Chicago soda tax was an even bigger hot mess than predicted

Back in December of last year, over vocal protests from residents, Cook County, Illinois adopted a policy similar to many other cash strapped, liberal municipalities. They decided to save the people from themselves and simultaneously put a bunch of money in the city's nearly empty coffers by imposing a sin tax on soda and other "sweetened beverages."

AM markets: Canada worries prop up soybeans, but not wheat

Certainly, the first set of data of many to be released on Thursday - including a monthly report on Brazilian grains from Conab, a twice-monthly briefing on Brazilian sugar output from Unica, and the US Department of Agriculture's monthly Wasde tome - looked at first sight negative for prices. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board showed Malaysian palm oil inventories far bigger than investors had expected last month, provoked by the biggest surge in output in nearly three years.

USDA loan program may help local flood victims

Kenosha County has issued a news release about a loan program that might be of help to victims of recent flooding: Wisconsin Emergency Management is citing a loan program available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Office as a possible source of funds to help residents affected by the recent floods. USDA Rural Development has funding available for very low and low-income individuals and families seeking to purchase or repair a home in a rural area.