Sellers say processor often paid late

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)--Prosecutors pressed livestock sellers to acknowledge that an Iowa kosher slaughterhouse was often late with payments as they try to prove the plant broke an 88-year-old agricultural law. Former Agriprocessors Inc., manager Sholom Rubashkin faces 91 financial fraud charges, among them allegations that he broke a law mandating purchasers make timely payments to livestock sellers. Records from the Wisconsin-based Equity Cooperative ... [Read More]

Nebraska ag groups oppose some proposed cuts

Nebraska ag groups oppose some proposed cuts LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)--Nebraska agriculture groups don't like the fact that Gov. Dave Heineman has proposed taking some of the money farmers contribute to checkoff funds to help balance the state budget. [Read More]

Farm Rescue founder surprised at speed of growth

YPSILANTI, N.D. (AP)--In just four years, Farm Rescue has assisted 100 farm families. It's a fact even the founder of the organization finds a little hard to believe. "I knew it would happen,' said Bill Gross, founder and president of the organization. [Read More]

'Recycling through a Recession' seminar set for Dec. 8

Oklahoma Recycling through a recession will be the focus of this year's Oklahoma Recycling Seminar, scheduled for Dec. 8 in Stillwater. The 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., seminar will take place at Oklahoma State University's ConocoPhillips Alumni Center. [Read More]

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. [Read More]

Hard-hit community learns to grow food

WILMINGTON, Ohio (AP)--Many of the new gardeners didn't know how to grow vegetables, and weren't sure what to do with them once they did. They learned, though, as part of a project by a local college to help a community hard-hit by the recession grow some of its own food. Wilmington College provided the 20 plots and the guidance in this southwestern Ohio town after DHL Express decided last year to close its operation here, putting most of 8,000 ... [Read More]

USDA: Number of Americans going hungry increases

WASHINGTON (AP)--More than one in seven American households struggled to put enough food on the table in 2008, the highest number since the U.S. Department of Agriculture began tracking food security levels in 1995. That's 14.6 percent of U.S. households, or about 49 million people. The numbers are a significant increase from 2007, when 11.1 percent of U.S. households suffered from what USDA classifies as "food insecurity'--not having enough ... [Read More]

U.N., Islamic bank make $1 billion farming deal

ROME (AP)--Funding from an Islamic bank will help develop agriculture in poor countries, a U.N. food agency said ahead of a summit to discuss the so-far elusive goal of reducing the number of hungry people in the world. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, which is hosting the three-day summit starting Nov. 16, said it had reached a deal with the Islamic Development Bank for $1 billion in funding to help develop agriculture in poor ... [Read More]

USMEF: September pork exports regain momentum, beef exports struggling

September pork plus pork variety meat exports reached nearly 154,000 metric tons valued at $347.8 million, the highest volume since April 2009, according to statistics released by U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. September beef plus beef variety meat exports were down slightly from August, with the January-September cumulative total falling further behind last year's pace, as ... [Read More]

Start smart with your new company's finances

The unemployment rate is floating near the double digits. There is a growing amount of people out of work and many are looking to try something new. According to the Kauffman Foundation, 7 percent of individuals who have lost their jobs are launching new ventures. [Read More]