1. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals 17144-17145 [E9-8439]

Apr 14, 2009      Federal Register

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Risk Management Tools for Drought. Abstract: The Risk Management Agency intends to collect information for purposes of the development of non-insurance risk management tools and assessment of the tools. William J. Murphy, Acting Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. [FR Doc. more...

2. Sugar harvest hurt by cold weather, drought

Apr 9, 2009      The Palm Beach Post

...drought and a bout of unseasonal heavy rains. Total production was more than 1.5 million tons of raw sugar, slightly below last year's. Florida Crystals Corp. headquartered in West Palm Beach, produced 622,441 tons of sugar. Clewiston-based U.S. Sugar Corp. ground its last cane at its mill on Tuesday and produced 617,000 tons of sugar. This is the second year that drought, freeze, and a lack of irrigation water have impacted the crop, said U.S. Sugar spokeswoman... more...

3. Exports Fall, and It's Felt on the Farm

Apr 10, 2009      New York Times

A drought in Australia meant a shortage of wheat on world markets. A recent report by the Agriculture Department said that American farm income could decline to $66 billion this year, from a record $89 billion last year. Corn farmers have a cushion because of rising federal mandates for the use of corn ethanol in gasoline. more...

4. Defeat Of The Drought? Dry Spell Appears To Be Easing

Apr 11, 2009      Bristol Herald Courier

Agent Chris Ramsey. "Our moisture level has improved quite a bit lately," Ramsey said. "We've got good pasture, and the hay crop is really looking good." South Holston Lake also is looking good because of the rain, Tennessee Valley Authority spokesman Gil Francis said Friday. According to TVA's Web site, the lake's depth Friday was 1,722 feet above sea level. This is just 7 feet shy of the lake's summer pond depth, a level Francis said TVA hopes to keep the lake at for... more...

5. Warming could add to risk in drought

Apr 14, 2009      The Arizona Daily Star

The watered trees remain alive. Adams then compiled climate data on the historical occurrence of severe drought in the Four Corners region. more...

6. AP IMPACT: Feds pays farmers to till the desert

Apr 14, 2009      Associated Press Online

Facing a third dry year and record-low reservoirs, the Bureau of Reclamation, which manages many dams and reservoirs in the West, announced major water cutbacks last month in California. For example, a California farmer uses a quarter more water to grow an acre of cotton than wheat. more...

7. County officials defend project, tax hike

Apr 14, 2009      Messenger-Inquirer

The plan was also crafted on market studies of cities with similar characteristics as Owensboro. "It's a very thorough plan," Brake said. "This (plan) will make it. more...

8. Recent Texas rains help crops but more needed

Apr 14, 2009      Associated Press Online

He said he'll need some good rains before planting -- about 3 inches to fill the soil profile. more...

9. HB 1752, 2009 Regular Session

Apr 9, 2009      Texas State Legislature

...or severe drought conditions exist, the Texas Forest Service shall notify the [said] county or counties when [such] drought or severe drought conditions no longer exist. The Texas Forest Service shall make its services available each day during the Cinco de Mayo, Fourth of July, and December fireworks seasons to respond to the request of any county for a determination whether drought or severe drought conditions exist on average in the county. (2) The Texas Forest... more...

10. HB 2884, 2009 Regular Session

Apr 11, 2009      Texas State Legislature

CROP INSURANCE Sec. 1806.201. PROHIBITED ACTS. An insurer or agent that is authorized to engage in the business of insurance that is limited to the business of insuring risks on growing crops may not participate in an arrangement that allows a person to receive or potentially receive a dividend, profit, or other consideration that is contingent solely on the purchase of that insurance. SECTION 2. This Act applies only to an insurance policy or contract that is... more...