BIODIESEL
A very busy week for five Wisconsin women
After months and even years of working and planning, on Friday evening one of the five will be named Wisconsin's 61st Alice in Dairyland.
"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.
USDA/GOVERNMENT
Farm bill opponents urge "no" vote
The National Farmers Union issued a statement Tuesday that said 557 groups with widely divergent priorities had come out in support of the pending farm bill. But a handful of groups still strongly oppose the 2008 farm bill. And they held a press conference of their own Tuesday morning to highlight their concerns.
Conner continues to hammer away against farm bill
Deputy U.S. Ag Secretary Chuck Conner is continuing to hammer home the Bush administration’s opposition to the farm bill Congress is likely to vote on this week. According to Conner, an extension of the 2002 farm law is preferable to the House-Senate Farm Bill Conference Report published over the weekend.
Upwards of 300 workers arrested at meatpacking plant
Federal authorities say more than 300 workers at a northeast Iowa meatpacking plant have been arrested for immigration violations, the largest immigration raid in Iowa.
Schafer weighs in on veto override potential
While Congress could likely pass the new farm bill later this week, Ag Secretary Ed Schafer says President Bush will veto it and that a veto override might not happen.
Illinois Extension gets word the money is coming
The University of Illinois Extension has gotten word it’ll receive its state funding for the fiscal year – $18 million that had been withheld by the governor because of a state budget shortfall.
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.
MARKETS
Corn, soybean export inspections lower than last week
The United States Department of Agriculture reports that corn, soybean and wheat export inspections, for the week ending May 8, were under the previous week's totals.
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.
