1. Farmers can't control weather, but they're looking forward to growing season

Apr 25, 2009      The Star

...on apples," said Crotts. As for whether or not the good growing weather will hold out, Crotts said he's not going to make a prediction because it's something in God's control. "You can't do anything about the weather," he said. "If I have a crop, I have a crop. "There are just some things there isn't any use worrying about and the weather is one of them," Crotts said. Edley Lattimore, who owns Clineland Strawberries, said his strawberries are ready beginning... more...

2. Farmers oppose subsidy changes

Apr 26, 2009      The Free Lance-Star

But, they say, since that figure would be based on gross sales, not net, that $500,000 isn't profit. more...

3. Weird weather seems to be hindering area wheat

Apr 29, 2009      The Hays Daily News

...area farmers will see a bumper wheat crop this year, thanks to weird weather standing in the way of normal development. "It's certainly not as good as last year," said Joe Martin, a wheat breeder at the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center south of Hays. On the flip side, however, there's few problems with insects or diseases. The only insect problem involves winter grain mites, but they have been affecting only continuous-cropped, no-till fields,... more...

4. ACRE program enrollment is open

Apr 29, 2009      The Free Press

...farm Commodities eligible for ACRE payments are wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, upland cotton, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, peanuts, soybeans, sunflower seed, canola, flaxseed, safflower, mustard seed, rapeseed, sesame seed, crambe, dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas and large chickpeas. The ACRE program was created in the 2008 Farm Bill to give producers an option in lieu of traditional counter-cyclical payments. Producers may elect and enroll in ACRE... more...

5. Freeze may hurt state wheat crops

Apr 30, 2009      The Daily Oklahoman

Krehbiel said. "It's a tough decision to make." Krehbiel, who is also a district commissioner for the wheat commission, said there are many wheat producers who don't have insurance. And depending on the amount of damage to their plants, "It takes many years to recover from a loss like this." Schulte said some wheat plants can produce even after suffering freeze damage, and many producers won't know the extent until harvest time in May. Extension agents for the Oklahoma... more...

6. Water key to rice crop

Apr 27, 2009      Corning Observer

But in a drought, is all that water being wasted? In fact, rice crops use less water than many other Northern California crops. Colusa County officials were not available for comment. Big business Every year, California farmers grow about 525,000 acres of rice, yielding some 2 million tons. Just before harvest, eight to 10 inches of water is required, Maben said. Farmers use a constant flow of canal water. more...

7. Drought over, but Atlanta water rates won't fall

Apr 28, 2009      Atlanta Journal Constitution

Atlanta officials raised water rates last year, in part, because the city noticed a drop in revenue when homeowners heeded the call to use less water during the drought. Atlanta needed revenue at pre-drought levels to help fund the ongoing $4 billion effort to fix its aging sewers, improve water quality and limit pollution into nearby rivers, lakes and streams. Hunter later said a computer glitch was responsible for some of the billing problems. more...

8. As markets change, farmers look to pulse, other rotation crops

Apr 23, 2009      Billings Gazette

Grant Zerbe, who raises chickpeas near Frazer, said pulse crops are a good change for soil depleted by wheat plantings. "Pulse crops, of course they take less inputs. Prices have only fallen further, as low as $3.90 a bushel for ordinary winter wheat and $4.28 for winter wheat with a value-adding 12 percent protein. Few farmers cashed in on that $20-a-bushel wheat price, which occurred when Montana farmers have little wheat to sell. more...

9. HB 293, 2009 Regular Session

Apr 28, 2009      Louisiana State Legislature

Present law imposes a tax of 5% of the gross premium amount on the purchase of surplus lines insurance. Present law exempts the purchase of excess insurance by interlocal risk management agencies from payment of the tax. Proposed law adds an exemption from payment of the tax for the purchase of excess insurance by a state agency for coverage of a state asset. more...

10. SB 3, 2009 Regular Session

Apr 28, 2009      Louisiana State Legislature

SLS 09RS-254 ORIGINAL Page 1 of 5 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. Regular Session, 2009 SENATE BILL NO. 3 BY SENATOR ADLEY Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana. The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Thomas F. Wade. more...

11. HB 404, 2009 Regular Session

Apr 28, 2009      Louisiana State Legislature

HLS 09RS-203 ORIGINAL Page 1 of 211 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. Title insurance agent; producer; inventory maintenance6 The title insurance agent producer shall maintain an inventory of all numbered7 policy forms or policy numbers assigned to the agent producer by the title insurer.8 §526. BUSINESS TRANSACTED WITH BROKER17 PRODUCER CONTROLLED INSURER LAW18 §551. more...

12. HB 369, 2009 Regular Session

Apr 28, 2009      Louisiana State Legislature

Also provides that such a life insurer shall not be authorized to transact any additional kind of insurance other than health and accident insurance. Additionally provides that a life insurer shall not be authorized to transact any additional kind of insurance other than annuity or credit life, health, and accident insurance. Also provides that such life insurer shall not be authorized to transact any additional kind of insurance other than health and accident insurance. more...

13. HB 404, 2009 Regular Session

Apr 29, 2009      Louisiana State Legislature

HLS 09RS-203 ENGROSSED Page 1 of 211 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. Title insurance agent; producer; inventory maintenance6 The title insurance agent producer shall maintain an inventory of all numbered7 policy forms or policy numbers assigned to the agent producer by the title insurer.8 §526. BUSINESS TRANSACTED WITH BROKER17 PRODUCER CONTROLLED INSURER LAW18 §551. more...

14. HB 369, 2009 Regular Session

Apr 29, 2009      Louisiana State Legislature

Also provides that such a life insurer shall not be authorized to transact any additional kind of insurance other than health and accident insurance. Additionally provides that a life insurer shall not be authorized to transact any additional kind of insurance other than annuity or credit life, health, and accident insurance. Also provides that such life insurer shall not be authorized to transact any additional kind of insurance other than health and accident insurance. more...