http://www.hpj.com/rss.cfm High Plains Journal: Ag News Copyright (c) 1995-2010 High Plains Publisher, Inc. All rights reserved. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:20:00 GMT http://www.hpj.com/images/hpjmask145.jpg http://www.hpj.com/output.xml 144 37 144 37 http://www.hpj.com/archives/2010/feb10/feb8/0111AFBFhornerchallengescli.cfm Much of current global warming theory is based on distortions of scientific evidence, blind devotion to simple notion, and outright greed, according to a speaker at the American Farm Bureau's 91st annual meeting. Christopher Horner, a fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, contended that the theory suffers from problems with the measurement of the earth temperature and its interpretation. Comprehensive data collected since the Middle Ages reveal... Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:20:00 GMT http://www.hpj.com/ http://www.hpj.com/archives/2010/feb10/feb8/0111AFBFstallmanagcircumsta.cfm In his annual keynote address recently, American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman issued a call to action to Farm Bureau members and a stern warning to critics that farmers and ranchers will no longer tolerate opponents' efforts to change the landscape of American agriculture. Stallman spoke at the organization's annual meeting in Seattle, Wash., which ran through Jan. 13. Calling on Farm Bureau members to rally as one during ... Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:20:00 GMT http://www.hpj.com/ http://www.hpj.com/archives/2010/feb10/feb8/0112FFAstudentsICALmissionk.cfm Have you ever imagined how agriculture is perceived in other areas of the world? If you're a college of agriculture student, here's your chance to experience agriculture in a whole new realm. Thanks to a partnership with The Grains Foundation and The National FFA Organization, the opportunity of a lifetime awaits for 12 lucky college students. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:20:00 GMT http://www.hpj.com/ http://www.hpj.com/archives/2010/feb10/feb8/0112TAMUpetersonhonoredko.cfm Texas Gary Peterson, Ph.D., professor of grain sorghum breeding and genetics based at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Lubbock, received a 2009 Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence in the international involvement category. His honor was presented during the 2010 AgriLife Conference held recently at Texas A&M University in College Station. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:20:00 GMT http://www.hpj.com/ http://www.hpj.com/archives/2010/feb10/feb8/0120IFBFhousefileproptaxsr.cfm Iowa Lawmakers sent legislation to the governor recently requiring school districts to use their cash reserves before levying to raise taxes on property owners. While House File 2030 may delay property tax increases in some districts, it will not address the shortfall in state aid caused by Iowa's across-the-board budget cuts, which will result in higher property taxes according to the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:20:00 GMT http://www.hpj.com/ http://www.hpj.com/archives/2010/feb10/feb8/0120TDAmoniesbiosecurityTXs.cfm Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today announced the Texas Department of Agriculture has been awarded $772,301 in funding from USDA to monitor entry of plant pests at strategic checkpoints and conduct reviews of Texas' plant pest detection and response activities. "It is essential we protect our $106 billion Texas agriculture industry from dangerous plant pests and diseases," Staples said. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:20:00 GMT http://www.hpj.com/ http://www.hpj.com/archives/2010/feb10/feb8/0127VilsackUSDAfoodpromotio.cfm Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the allocation of $234.5 million to 70 U.S. trade organizations to help promote American food and agricultural products overseas. "In today's highly competitive international markets, we must provide our exporters with the resources they need to compete overseas during the 21st century," said Vilsack. "When you consider the current global financial crisis, increasing ... Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:20:00 GMT http://www.hpj.com/ http://www.hpj.com/archives/2010/feb10/feb8/0128NASSGeospatialDataProdu.cfm In January the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service announced the release of new satellite images depicting agricultural land cover across most of the nation for the 2009 crop year. The images, referred to as cropland data layers, are a useful tool for monitoring crop rotation patterns, land use changes, water resources and carbon emissions. These crop-specific, digital data layers are suitable for use in ... Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:20:00 GMT http://www.hpj.com/ http://www.hpj.com/archives/2010/feb10/feb8/0129USDAfoodpurchasessr.cfm Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today announced USDA's intention to purchase $29.1 million worth of blueberry, pear, potato, peach and mixed fruit products for federal food nutrition assistance programs. "These purchases will help stabilize prices and markets, stimulate the economy, and provide high-quality, nutritious food to schools and food banks while assisting blueberry, pear, potato, peach and mixed-fruit producers," ... Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:20:00 GMT http://www.hpj.com/ http://www.hpj.com/archives/2010/feb10/feb8/0201TXStaplesAidtoHaitisr.cfm Texas With more than 2 million people in need of food and water in Haiti, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples is asking Texas producers to help the devastated country. "Texas is a state large in geography and even larger in heart and compassion," Staples said. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:20:00 GMT http://www.hpj.com/