Land O’Lakes, Minnesota partner on water quality initiative

The state of Minnesota and Land O'Lakes announced a partnership Wednesday to improve water quality in farm country, leveraging the farmer-owned co-operative's retail network to help expand a state program that encourages farmers to voluntarily implement conservation practices. Land O'Lakes will promote the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program through its seed and crop protection business, WinField US, using its remote sensing technology to map the topography of fields to reduce erosion and better manage runoff.

Fed inspectors find sick, dead animals at pet dealer ranch

Federal inspectors found sick and dead animals, inadequate sanitation, untrained employees performing euthanasia and other deficiencies at a Pennsylvania small-animal dealer that supplied major pet retailers like Petco and PetSmart. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report on its January inspection of Holmes Chinchilla Ranch that said inspectors found dozens of animals in need of veterinary treatment for symptoms ranging from hair loss to eye abnormalities to lethargy.

Governor Sam Brownback takes action to balance Kansas budget Vetoes two provisions; signs SB 249

Governor Sam Brownback today took action to balance the budget for Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018, subsequently signing Senate Bill 249 - the budget bill. The Governor announced allotments of $97 million creating a projected ending balance in FY 2017 of $87.5 million.

USDA Awards $4.5 Million in Rural Community Development Grants

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on May 20 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding more than $4 million in grants to 23 organizations to support rural economic development projects. Secretary Vilsack also announced that USDA soon will seek applications for the next round of program funding.

The Latest: Officials assure residents they are safe

Authorities say a shuttle bus has overturned on a highway in Southern California's San Bernardino Mountains, leaving two people critically injured, four with moderate injuries and 20 with minor injuries. A shuttle bus overturned Sunday on a highway in Southern California's San Bernardino Mountains, leaving two people critically injured, four with moderate injuries and 20 with minor injuries, authorities said.

China’s change sees little immediate impact

The end of price supports will send acreage plummeting, but the government's stockpile is estimated to last for years Fred Gale is still trying to figure out how China's new corn policy will affect grain markets, but his initial thought is that it won't.a China announced in March that it is ending its corn price support and procurement program for the country's northeast region.a That region accounts for 40 percent of production for the world's second largest corn producer, so the new policy could have a big impact on global corn output, depending on how it unfolds.a The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in last week's World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report that Chinese growers will plant 89 million acres of corn this year.

Another Bad Week for the Anti-GMO Movementby Julie KellyMounting…

This week has been a particular bruising one for anti-GMO activists, with the release of two reports that disprove most of their claims that GMOs are bad for people and the planet. On May 17, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued a lengthy study, "Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects," that supports the safety of GMO foods and finds no evidence of harm to human health or the environment.

U.S. farmers slam Trump’s Cuba clampdown, press forward with trade visit

U.S. farm groups criticized President Donald Trump's decision to retreat from his predecessor's opening toward Cuba, saying it could derail huge increases in farm exports that totaled $221 million last year. A trade delegation from Minnesota, one of the largest U.S. agriculture states, vowed to carry on with its planned visit to Cuba next week.

UPDATE 1-Pro Farmer sees record U.S. corn, soy crops, but below USDA view

Bumper corn and soybean crops are expected in the United States this fall but the harvests will likely fall short of records projected by the U.S. government, according to estimates released on Friday from farm advisory service Pro Farmer at the end of its annual Midwest crop tour. Pro Farmer predicted that average corn yields will be 170.2 bushels per acre, or enough to produce a record 14.728 billion-bushel crop, at the end of a four-day tour of seven major production states in the Midwest.

Trump’s expected pick for top USDA scientist is not a scientist

Under the 2008 Farm Bill, its leader is supposed to serve as the agency's "chief scientist" and be chosen "from among distinguished scientists with specialized or significant experience in agricultural research, education, and economics." But Sam Clovis - who, according to sources with knowledge of the appointment and members of the agriculture trade press, is President Trump's pick to oversee the section - appears to have no such credentials.

NTSB recommends rigorous maintenance programs for firefighting aircraft

The NTSB issued recommendation letters to the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Interior and to the FAA regarding maintenance programs for aircraft used in fire fighting operations. The recommendations are part of a package that includes probable causes for three air tanker accidents caused by in-flight wing separations resulting from fatigue fractures.