Lull in spring rains helps Mississippi corn planting

Fall preparation paid off for many Mississippi corn producers who were able to take advantage of a gap in spring rains to plant much of their crop early. Erick Larson, corn specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said warm weather and a break in typical spring rains has allowed farmers to make considerable corn planting progress this spring.

Trump in No Hurry to Staff ‘Enemy of the People’ Offices

The New York Times on March 12 reported that the Trump administration, for a variety of reasons, was filling the offices of administrative agencies at a glacial pace. From the Department of Agriculture to the Weather Service, over 2,000 mid-level political-appointee positions were still unfilled; the Times called it "the slowest transition in decades."

Mississippi company recalls thousands of pounds of catfish

A Mississippi company has recalled 1,695 pounds of catfish product that may be adulterated with residues of public health concern. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a routine inspection by the Food Safety and Inspection Service revealed "violative levels of the chemicals Malachite Green and Leucomalachite Green."

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.

New home for Forestry under consideration; but laid-off foresters still in limbo

While the governor and the Legislature are trading shots over the coming fiscal budget gap, 37 workers from the state Division of Forestry who were laid off during the last budget crisis are still hoping to come back to work. The forestry workers were laid off over a $1.7 shortfall in their own agency's budget that came about largely because of a decrease in timber severance tax money.

DA Food Skyway program offers new market for Zambo Peninsula fisher folks

Fishermen in Zamboanga Peninsula will soon have a larger market for their fish catch, especially during this month's peak season, as the Department of Agriculture will launch the so-called Philippine Food Skyway program later this month, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources . BFAR Regional Director Isidro Velayo Jr. on Thursday said that they are currently preparing the mechanisms to collect the surplus catch that cannot be absorbed by the local market and the fish processing industries in the region.

Vice President Mike Pence defends his use of private email account as governor of Indiana

The matrix is a valuable tool... The season is on the line come Saturday when the Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team hosts Northeastern Junior College in the first round of the Region ... -- A former competitor of Michael Phelps is calling out the gold medalist on social media following Phelps' testimony to Congress.Phelps was one of five panelists t... -- Vice President Mike Pence defended his use of a private email account while governor of Indiana, saying Friday in Wisconsin there is "no comparison" bet... -- It's been a long journey for Oscar winner for Viola Davis.

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.

Trump Supporters Starting To Lose Faith?

Tom Godat, a union electrician who has always voted for Democrats, cast his ballot for Donald Trump last year as "the lesser of two evils" compared to Hillary Clinton. There's a lot that Godat likes about President Trump, especially his pledge to make the country great again by ignoring lobbyists, challenging both political parties and increasing the number of good-paying jobs.

South Korea to extend subsidy on some egg imports as bird flu hits local output

A South Korean health official disinfects a vehicle to prevent spread of bird flu in Pohang, South Korea, December 19, 2016. Choi Chang-ho/News1 via South Korea is extending a scheme to subsidize up to half the cost of importing eggs by sea for another two months until the end of April, as it grapples with a shortfall in local supply in the wake of its worst-ever bird flu outbreak.