News Archive: Months of Agri-Pulse Reporting Available

 EWG says farm runoff threatens drinking water

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2012- The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released a study today linking farming practices to potential drinking water contamination. The group used its

Grassley, Turner seek estimate of taxpayer expense for LightSquared testing

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2012 - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. Michael Turner (R-Ohio) today asked the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to account

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USDA organic panel wants biotech companies made liable

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2012 -USDA's own National Organic Standards Board is hoping to push Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to side with organic farmers in the debate over coexistence. A six-member NOSB ad hoc committee wants his help making biotech companies and biotech crop farmers responsible if organic crops lose value because of the unintended presence of biotech traits.

Arguing the labeling case in the court of public opinion

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2012 -Organizers of the effort to persuade FDA to mandate biotech food labels don't rely only on legal assertions in their 25-page petition. The campaign that collected more than 1 million signatures in support of the petition was calibrated to win public opinion even if its fails the legal test.

EPA denies NRDC petition to cancel 2, 4-D herbicide

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2012 -After more than four years of review, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied a petition filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) seeking to cancel use of 2,4-D

Lack of movement in year-end corn stocks puzzles market

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2012 -Some market-watchers were scratching their heads Tuesday after Agriculture Department forecasters made no changes to their U.S. corn balance sheet in the April Supply and Demand report. Private analysts had anticipated as much as a 100 million bushel reduction in projected year-end stocks of corn

Mandated biotech food labeling would be a U-turn for FDA

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2012 -Several large organic food marketers and anti-biotech activists want the Obama Administration to reverse a 20-year policy of opposing mandatory labeling of genetically modified food.

No end to controversy over cause of bee demise

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2012 -Honeybee populations, which faced losses between 30% and 90% of honeybee colonies since 2006, continue to face steady declines while exact causes are yet to be found, said USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) research entomologist, Jay Evans.

Regulatory relief title in new Farm Bill?

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2012 -Reports circulating around Washington indicate that the House Agriculture Committee will attempt to legislate regulatory certainty for farmers and ranchers through the next farm bill.

Revenue programs and crop insurance: What works?

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2012 -One of the most consistent themes heard during grower meetings and farm bill hearings over the last year has been the need to protect federal crop insurance as a viable part of the safety net in the 2012 Farm Bill.

Sec. Vilsack to K-State students: You have that power. Use it!'

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2012 -Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Tuesday became the latest member of a long list of distinguished public figures to deliver a Landon Lecture at Kansas State University.

U.S. biotech trait approval lags in world market

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2012 -The rate at which Brazil approves genetically engineered plant traits for deregulated status is increasing due to its recent government commitment, while approval rates in the United States are lagging due to legal concerns and public awareness.

GAO recommends limits to crop insurance premiums

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2012 - Farmers and ranchers will have to get a prescription from a veterinarian in order to use antibiotics in cattle,

OxFam aims to use humor to fight hunger in new television campaign

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2012-Oxfam America plans to release an online video and TV ad on Thursday focused on reforming international aid programs

Santorum suspends presidential campaign

GETTYSBURG, PA., April 10 -Rick Santorum announced that he plans to suspend his presidential campaign, virtually assuring

Farm, animal health groups call for keeping livestock title in 2012 Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, April 10 - A new coalition of farm and animal health organizations has a message for the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees

Farm, animal health groups call for keeping livestock title in 2012 Farm Bill

Vilsack announces final rule for new biobased products

WASHINGTON, April 10 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the addition of 13 biobased product categories which are eligible

U.S., Brazil agree on MOU to help Haiti with farming systems

WASHINGTON, April 10 - The Governments of the United States and Brazil formalized a partnership to improve food security in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Vilsack announces $5 million grant to support animal waste to bioenergy project

OAKLEY, KS, April 9 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack headed to Kansas on Monday and brought a big check along to support

Budget stalemate until after the elections?

WASHINGTON, April 8 - The Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND, said that, after the Easter recess, he plans to

USDA Supply and Demand Report reflects planting estimates

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2012- The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report released by USDA today reflects last month's Prospective Plantings report as well as global

Advocacy groups ask Congress to protect Farm Bill nutrition programs

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2012—More than 90 national and regional advocacy organizations, including the American Farmland Trust and the United Fresh Produce Association, sent a letter

 Debate over LFTB in ground beef shifts to labeling

WASHINGTON, April 7 - The fallout over production of lean, finely textured beef (LFTB) dubbed pink slime continues to drag down beef prices, hurt

Rep. Tim Johnson drops bid for 7th term, plans to retire

URBANA, IL, April 5, 2012 - Veteran Illinois Congressman Tim Johnson, who chairs the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Rural Development,