1. FCIC's Proposed Pricing Methodology for Grain Sorghum 36655-36656 [E9-17616]

Jul 24, 2009      Federal Register

The revenue-based plans of insurance use USDA grain sorghum-to-corn ratio multiplied by a futures price. The National Sorghum Producers proposed a regression model based on published monthly NASS prices, exports and total use of grain sorghum to calculate a grain sorghum-corn ratio. The grain sorghum-corn ratio was then multiplied by the USDA corn price estimate for APH policies and for revenue policies the ratio was multiplied by the corn futures price. more...

2. Conservation Stewardship Program 37499-37519 [E9-17812]

Jul 29, 2009      Federal Register

NRCS will make CSP available nationwide on a continuous application basis. Under CSP, a participant must enroll their entire agricultural operation. Eligible land for CSP includes private agricultural land, and agricultural Indian lands. more...

3. Heavy Thunderstorms Cause Flooding, Lightning Sparks Fires

Jul 24, 2009      Washington Post

Showers are expected to continue through Saturday, said Jared Klein, a National Weather Service meteorologist. And what helped Meadows's business hurt farmers.Many farmers reported underweight wheat crops, with some saying their harvest was rejected by markets, Reed said. Now, the dry conditions are hurting the next round of crops. more...

4. 'Lousy' year for wheat and cattle

Jul 24, 2009      The Woodward News

We're better off than we were last year." High prices of food and fuel made it difficult in 2008, he said. more...

5. In the fields

Jul 24, 2009      Pharos-Tribune

After that you start to lose small increments of yields." Sullivan said the county is slightly behind the record in anticipated yields, but not very far. We tried to do a good job planting and getting the seeds spaced right." --Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. more...

6. Business is blooming

Jul 25, 2009      Chattanooga Times/Free Press

Ownby decided to do something considered somewhat radical in some farming circles. Ownby is one of a number of farmers in North Georgia and Southeast Tennessee who are working sunflowers -- plants normally grown commercially in the Northern Great Plains -- into their crop rotations. Ownby, as a believer. "Who knows?" asked Mr. more...

7. Rain dampens spirits of local farmers

Jul 26, 2009      New Bedford Standard Times

Rain dampens spirits of local farmers Say "rain" around Mary Merhi of Dartmouth, and she'll respond by sighing and shaking her head. Where some crops wither, others thrive. "It's a mixed blessing," Andy Pollock of Silverbrook Farm in Dartmouth said, referring to the rain. Monique Sampson of Sampson Farms in Westport has had to rescue her husband, John, twice this season, after he got stuck in the mud while cultivating potatoes on his tractor. more...

8. Drought in South Texas worries farmers

Jul 27, 2009      USA Today

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Lingering drought in South Texas had growers worried about the fate of their crops this scorching summer. Retired farmer Leonard Loop says early spring and July have been terrible for the region, with growers talking about lower grain and corn yields. Loop Farms grows sorghum, cotton, corn, soybeans, okra, citrus and sunflowers. more...

9. Bone Dry

Jul 27, 2009      The Brownsville Herald

All are below the average by at least 5 inches. The Texas Agricultural Commission estimates that statewide, losses could exceed more than $4 billion by year's end. It could be because irrigation water contains sodium while rainfall does not. more...

10. Calif. farmers say feds make drought worse

Jul 28, 2009      USA Today

Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a water emergency in February and asked for 20% voluntary cuts in water use. Lawn watering is permitted only on Mondays and Thursdays.This drought is in line with conditions two decades ago, says Elissa Lynn, senior meteorologist for the California Department of Water Resources. A federal judge in 2007 ordered new biological studies and restrictions on water pumped out of the delta for farmers.A group of water authorities filed countersuits. more...

11. Storms again batter crops and farms in NE Iowa

Jul 28, 2009      Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

About 30,000 acres are pretty devastated," Lang said. A mid-June hail storm impacted crops near Lawler and surrounding areas. Straight-line winds, some estimated at 100 mph, accompanied the hail storm Friday, destroying farm buildings and grain bins. A recent addition to his shop toppled over. About 800 acres of 11,000 he farms in Northeast Iowa and Missouri suffered hail damage, Burco said. more...

12. Lyon qualifies for USDA natural disaster funding

Jul 29, 2009      Reno Gazette Journal

Community Facilities programs finance the development of essential community facilities in rural areas. Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program: USDA will make more than $4.8 million available in Rural Business Enterprise Program grants to assist small and emerging businesses in rural areas. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov. more...

13. EDITORIAL

Jul 30, 2009      Victoria Advocate

And there's no federal aid in sight for this emergency. Gov. Rick Perry on July 18 declared that 167 counties were in a state of disaster because of the drought. more...

14. Goodwill planting helps victims of water shortage

Jul 30, 2009      The Fresno Bee

...the crops and provide supplies. Other farmers who have not been deeply hurt by water shortages also have come forward with donations of their own or have helped in the project, including Crop Production Services, Syngenta (NYSE:SYT) , TS&L, Pro Plant, Huron Ag, La Jolla Farms, Red Rock Ranch, Dresick Farms, Vasto Valley Cold Storage, Antonini Fruit Express, Hall Ag, Harris Ranch and Borba Farms. "I got a call from a guy who wants to donate 5 tons of carrots and potatoes," Woolf... more...

15. Hustling to find hay options

Jul 30, 2009      The Eagle

Recently, desperately needed rain has followed in its wake in some drought-stricken areas of Texas. But the rain has done little to alleviate the shortage of forages available to livestock. High levels of prussic acid or nitrates in hays being fed to cattle can kill them. Tests for prussic acid and nitrate levels are inexpensive. None of his have tested positive for either, he said. "There's a lot of this product being cut and baled into hay. more...

16. Wilson adjuster pleads guilty to insurance fraud

Jul 29, 2009      The Wilson Daily Times

Wilson insurance adjuster pleaded guilty in federal court Monday in connection with an insurance fraud scheme. Dennis Wray Hawley, 62, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge James C. Denver III to two counts of aiding and abetting the making of false statements in connection with the Federal Crop Insurance Program. According to a press release issued by U.S. Attorney E.B. Holding, Hawley was the president of Dennis Hawley Inc. and employed by ARMtech Insurance as an insurance... more...

17. HB 158, 2009 Regular Session

Jul 24, 2009      Louisiana State Legislature

...of drought relief wells for agricultural use 16 in times of drought upon a determination that sufficient water resources are 17 otherwise not available. The commissioner shall fix the allowable production, 18 spacing, and depth for such wells in the issuance of an emergency order in such a Page 1 of 2 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscoredare additions. HB NO. 158 ENROLLED 1 way that the combined production of groundwater from such wells will not... more...

18. HB 404, 2009 Regular Session

Jul 24, 2009      Louisiana State Legislature

Page 9 of 205 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscoredare additions. Page 99 of 205 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscoredare additions. The controlling broker producer shall not place Page 131 of 205 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscoredare additions. more...

19. HB 369, 2009 Regular Session

Jul 24, 2009      Louisiana State Legislature

It also includes accidental death and 16 dismemberment insurance sold in connection with a credit transaction that may or 17 may not require benefits payable to wholly or partially extinguish the credit 18 obligation. HB NO. 369 ENROLLED 1 (19) Industrial fire. HB NO. 369 ENROLLED 1 from the insurer. more...

20. H 1314, 2009-2010 Regular Session

Jul 30, 2009      North Carolina State Legislature

The audit committee of an entity that controls an insurer may be deemed to be the insurer's audit committee at the election of the controlling person. "§ 58-10-200. Scope of audit and report of independent certified public accountant. The audit of the insurer's financial statements shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. more...