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AdvertisementStudy: Nitrogen pollution worsens in Rockies lakes DENVER (AP)--Airborne nitrogen pollution from vehicle exhaust and farm fertilizer is turning algae in the alpine lakes of Rocky Mountain National Park into junk food for fish, a study says. A similar phenomenon is occurring in Sweden and Norway, according to the study of about 90 high-elevation lakes set to be published in the journal Science on Nov. 6. Arizona State University professor James Elser, the study's lead author, said the effect ... UN agency: Food prices in poor countries stay high ROME (AP)--A U.N. agency says food prices in poor countries remain stubbornly high despite a good world cereal production this year. The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization said in a report released Nov. 10 that 31 countries still require emergency food assistance. The agency said that Eastern Africa in particular has suffered from drought and conflict, pushing an estimated 20 million people into hunger. Animal welfare group protests at Canadian Finals Rodeo EDMONTON, Alberta (AP)--An animal welfare organization is protesting outside the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton. The director of the Voice of Animals Humane Society says her group is particularly concerned about calf-roping at the recent competition. Director Tove Reece says many calves die or are so badly injured they have to be destroyed. Combine fires more common this fall BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)--North Dakota sunflower farmers are facing not only wet harvest conditions, they're also dealing with more combine fires. Larry Neubauer, who farms near Bottineau, says combine fires have been more of a problem this fall because of the time that passed between the killing frost and when many fields dried out enough to support harvesting equipment. Neubauer says the sunflower stalks deteriorated a lot during that time, producing a lot of ... U.S. biodiesel leaders visit with lawmakers Members of the National Biodiesel Board, the trade association for the U.S. biodiesel industry, Nov. 17 called on lawmakers to extend and reform the biodiesel tax incentive. "The biodiesel tax incentive is working. Since its enactment in 2004, U.S. biodiesel production has reached commercial scale, and the nation has realized the job creation, environmental and energy security benefits that come with the expanded production and use of biodiesel," ... Richland farmers' market goes online RICHLAND, Wash. (AP)--Hens don't stop laying, bees producing honey or bakers baking when the Richland Farmers' Market closes for the season. Nor do the market's shoppers stop buying, eating and enjoying the produce, crafts and merchandise they were buying each Friday from the vendors and merchants on The Parkway in Richland. They just have to shop online. KLA program to underscore need for livestock advocacy Kansas A veterinarian who is providing national leadership on the animal care issue, the chief executive officer of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and a U.S. senator from Kansas are among those on the program for the Kansas Livestock Association Convention in Wichita. The group's annual meeting will take place Dec. 3 and 4 at the Wichita Hyatt and Century II Convention Center. Iowa's family beef farmers fuel hungry runners Iowa Some 7,500 runners will enjoy hot beef stew served by Iowa's local beef producing farm families following the annual Living History Farms Cross Country Run on Nov. 21. The Iowa Beef Industry Council--representing all of Iowa's beef farmers--and in cooperation with the Iowa Machine Shed and Fitness Sports, will provide nutrient-rich beef stew as part of a recovery meal for the runners. Minnesota farmer struggles after bull attacks ZUMBROTA, Minn. (AP)--Mike Lohmann may look fine at first glance, but family and friends know otherwise. The Zumbrota dairy farmer has been facing low milk prices, harvest and the day-to-day operations of the farm while recovering from a bull attack. He has high medical bills and a mind that's uneasy in the barn. Oklahoma The 85 head of beef bulls consigned to the 58th Annual OPSU Bull Test were weighed Nov. 7 after 28 days on the 112 day test. At the end of the test, measurements will be made on the frame score, scrotal circumference, semen characteristics, fat thickness, rib-eye area and marbling in the rib eye. Scrapie rule aims to protect state herds Colorado The Colorado Department of Agriculture reminds Colorado producers to tag and identify their sheep and goats for scrapie prior to a change of ownership or going to a livestock show. "This is the time of year when many producers will be taking their livestock to market and most sheep and goats are required to be tagged; this is an important step in protecting the industry," said State Veterinarian Dr. Keith Roehr. Research team recognized for service to the Red Angus industry A team of scientists and research universities received the 2009 Red Angus Industry Service Award at the National Red Angus Convention in Mahnomen, Minn., Sept. 16 to 19, for their devoted work in developing a DNA test for the genetic defect, Osteopetrosis. "This group took service to a higher standard," said Larry Keenan, Red Angus Association of America director of breed improvement, when he presented the award. "They performed... By Richard C. Snell Barton County Extension Agent, agriculture Once again it's deja vu all over again. Farmers may want to think twice before selling corn stover Nebraska While there have been some offers from a couple of energy companies to buy corn stover this year, Nebraska farmers need to take into account the soil structure loss and nutrient loss before making that decision, University of Nebraska-Lincoln experts say. Corn stover, or the residue left behind after harvesting corn, can be made into pellets and sold to coal burning power plants generating electricity, said Paul Jasa, UNL ... Kansas farmer tries growing peanuts HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP)--If he's been called any nicknames, they haven't been to his face, Rice County farmer Clark Schmidt says with a grin. Yet, he figures he's been the talk of the local elevator and morning coffee shops for his 65-acre peanut field not far from Sterling. Peanuts in a state known for wheat production, after all, aren't typical. Late wheat planting requires extra planning Kansas Some wheat has not yet been planted this year across Kansas--especially in the eastern third of the state--due in some cases to wet soil conditions. In other cases, producers are still waiting to harvest their soybeans, grain sorghum or corn before planting wheat, said Jim Shroyer, Kansas State University Research and Extension crop production specialist. Spying on corn rootworm predators' nightlife Agricultural Research Service entomologist Jonathan G. Lundgren, while exploring corn fields at night, has found a very different group of predators than the ones that feed during the day. It turns out that these night-time predators have a great appetite for corn rootworms, the most costly pest of corn in the world. Research on day-active and night-active predatory insects is important for scientists who are developing strategies that maximize ... Scientists plot genetic ploy against grain pest Aided by a genomic map of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, Agricultural Research Service and university scientists are plotting a kind of genetic sabotage on the pest's basic life functions--from locomotion to digestion. Nationally, infestations of flour beetles and their beetle cousins cost millions of dollars in losses annually to stored grains and the food products made from those grains. Warehouse sanitation usually keeps beetle ... The Southern Oklahoma Livestock Auction, Ada, Okla., reported receipts of 2,925 head Nov. 11, compared to 2,680 head last week and 2,395 head last year, according to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News, Oklahoma City, Okla. Compared to last week, feeder steers and heifers were steady. Quality and weigh-ups were average. South Central Direct sheep sales The South Central Direct Sheep sales report for the week ending Nov. 13, totaled 800 head of sheep, 250 head of replacement ewes and 700 head of slaughter meat goats, according to the USDA-Texas Department of Agriculture Market News, San Angelo, Texas. Compared to last week, feeder lambs were steady. There were no slaughter lambs, or slaughter ewes. Goldthwaite sheep sales report The Mills County Commission Co., Goldthwaite, Texas, reported receipts of 2,812 head Nov. 13, compared to 2,404 head last week and 2,569 head last year, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture Market News, Amarillo, Texas. Compared to last week, stock and feeder lambs were not tested. Slaughter lambs were steady. West Plains regional cattle sales The Ozarks Regional Stockyard, West Plains, Mo., reported receipts of 2,200 head Nov. 17, compared to 4,834 head last week and 4,433 head last year, according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News Service, Jefferson City, Mo. Compared to last week, steers and heifers sold steady to $2 lower, although heavy 6 weight heifers were $2 to $4 lower than last week's sharp upturn. The light supply was due mainly to the first week of Missouri's ... Pratt 3 p.m. cattle sales report The Pratt Livestock Auction, Pratt, Kan., Nov. 19, reported estimated receipts of 1,500 head as of 3 p.m., according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News, Dodge City, Kan. Compared with last week, in a very light test, steers at 450 to 600 pounds were steady to $3 higher, 600 to 850 pounds were steady to $2 lower, and 850 pounds and over were not tested. Heifers at 400 to 600 pounds were steady to $6 higher, 600 to 750 pounds were steady ... Springfield livestock sales report The Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo., reported receipts of 2,070 head Nov. 18, compared to 3,079 head last week and 2,720 head last year, according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture Market News Service, Jefferson City, Mo. Compared to last week, steer calves under 500 pounds were steady to $2 lower, over 500 pounds were $1 to $3 lower, yearling steers and heifers, all weights, were steady to $2 lower, Holsteins under 550 ... The USDA Market News Service, Greeley, Colo., in the closing grain report for Nov. 9, reported in futures trading that Chicago December soft red winter wheat was $5.20, up 22 3/4 cents; December corn, $3.86, up 19 cents; and January soybeans, $9.72, up 17 cents. The export bid for direct Gulf delivery of No. 1 hard red winter wheat, ordinary protein, rail, $5.51 1/2 to $5.61 1/2, up 20 1/2 cents; No. Grain and soybean bids saw gains in reaction to the lower dollar, higher crude oil, and equity markets, according to the National Grain Market Summary, Nov. 10. Wheat also saw spillover support from corn and soybeans. Traders eyeing the U.S. Department of Agriculture report released Nov. 10 for direction. The USDA Market News Service, Greeley, Colo., in the closing grain report for Oct. 26, reported in futures trading that Chicago December soft red winter wheat was $5.27, down 20 3/4 cent; December corn, $3.78, down 19 3/4 cents; and November soybeans, $9.86 1/2, down 19 1/2 cents. The export bid for direct Gulf delivery of No. 1 hard red winter wheat, ordinary protein, rail, $5.61 to $5.71, down 18 1/2 cents; No. Grains close lower with dry weather forecast Grains closed lower as drier weather has been forecasted, and this should lead to harvest activity before more rain moves in later in the week, according to the National Grain Market Summary, Oct. 26. Outside markets pressured grains as the stock market, crude oil and precious metals all closed lower. Wheat closed 15 to 21 cents lower. The USDA Market News Service, Greeley, Colo., in the closing grain report for Nov. 2, reported in futures trading that Chicago December soft red winter wheat was $5.16 3/4, up 22 1/2 cent; December corn, $3.82 1/4, up 16 1/4 cents; November soybeans, $9.97 1/2, up 19 1/2 cents and January soybeans, $9.98, up 21 1/2 cents. The export bid for direct Gulf delivery of No. 1 hard red winter wheat, ordinary protein, rail, $5.50 to $5.60, up 21 cents; No. Grains had sharp gains as buying entered the market on Nov. 2, according to the National Grain Market Summary. Outside markets were higher with crude oil and precious metals. Widespread harvest maybe delayed in some cases as fields are very muddy delaying harvest progress. The USDA Market News Service, Greeley, Colo., in the closing grain report for Oct. 19, reported in futures trading that Chicago December soft red winter wheat was $5.17 3/4, up 19 cents; December corn, $3.86 1/4, up 14 1/4 cents; and November soybeans, $9.96 1/4, up 18 3/4 cents. The export bid for direct Gulf delivery of No. 1 hard red winter wheat, ordinary protein, rail, $5.58 3/4 to $5.68 3/4, up 18 1/4 cents; No. The grain markets rallied closing moderate to sharply higher, according to the National Grain Market Summary, Oct. 19. Wheat saw spillover support from other grains and a lower dollar. Corn and soybeans found support from the higher equities, a lower dollar, and rain in the forecast for parts of the Corn Belt. |