1. BRIEF

Aug 7, 2009      The San Diego Union-Tribune

This is followed by ornamental trees and shrubs, bedding plants, avocados and tomatoes. more...

2. Wheat Harvest in Region Hurt by Excessive Rain

Aug 8, 2009      Washington Post

No problem," Jamison said of grain farmers in the region. He invested in a grain drier and harvested his wheat early. Jamison said the other option would be to pay to have the wheat cleaned. more...

3. Brownsville's drought reaches 'extreme' level

Aug 8, 2009      The Brownsville Herald

It's a fairly large area." The main threat is a lack of rainfall, Castillo said. During periods of drought, farmers rely more heavily upon that supply, Lambert said. There might be more demand for water before the year ends. Castillo said the most recent calculations showed the area needed 12 to 15 inches to fall during the three summer months in order to recover from the drought. more...

4. Farm help details still unclear

Aug 10, 2009      Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Plains also stand to receive payment for nearly 600,000 acres of cotton lost so far this year and more than 1 million acres lost in 2008, AgriLife officials said. Before any money can start to flow out of SURE, rules for the program must be solidified by lawmakers who have not yet finalized certain details since the fund was approved, said Steve Verett, executive vice president of Plains Cotton Growers. Pricing for the 2008 cotton crop was completed at the end of July, Verett... more...

5. Rainfall helping crop conditions

Aug 10, 2009      The Dothan Eagle

With the exception of June, we've really enjoyed moisture the whole month of July, and August started well, too. It's good to not be sitting here praying for rain. more...

6. Farm revenue rose in 2008, amid higher costs for water, fuel

Aug 11, 2009      North County Times

They tend to yield more revenue per acre than field crops that are harvested in bulk. more...

7. North Dakota farmers struggle with decision to enroll in insurance program

Aug 11, 2009      Agweek

It is somewhat analogous to revenue-based crop insurance. FSA officials say the enrollee's LDP benefits kick in at a marketing loan level that is 30 percent less than non-enrollees. LDP payments are not capped to individual growers, regardless of size. more...

8. Latest hail storm battered crops

Aug 11, 2009      Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

The worst damage centered in and around Eldora and Owasa. Several major hail storms have pummeled crops in Northeast Iowa this summer. If you did, then it's the end of your season," Northey said. Put Mike Teske in that category. I'm talking zero," said Teske, who farms 5 miles northwest of Eldora. "I could look out in the cornfield and see a deer plain as day. more...

9. Taking steps to prepare for disasters

Aug 12, 2009      Pryor Daily Times

The first step, said Flanagan, is to organize. Flanagan stressed the importance of schools being involved, because FEMA will provide safe rooms for schools. The mitigation plan should include procedures for dealing with hazardous materials, transportation hazards and transportation events. Assessing hazards and their potential risks is the fourth step. Flanagan said FEMA requires two activities for each hazard. more...

10. Summer Rains In Stark Contrast To Recent Drought

Aug 12, 2009      Bristol Herald Courier

Rather than worrying about low lake levels, there is now concern the levels are too high. Currently, the lake consistently measures at 1,728 feet above sea level. more...

11. Minnesota expecting record corn crop

Aug 12, 2009      Pioneer Press

In recent weeks, there's been concern about drought, slow development of the crop, and whether it would be more vulnerable to an early freeze. more...

12. Gov. Doyle offers help to farmers battling drought conditions

Aug 13, 2009      Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Meg Jones Aug. 13, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Gov. more...

13. USDA helps ranchers weather the drought

Aug 13, 2009      The Eagle

He has an 800-acre pasture available that hasn't been grazed since 2007. It offers two options -- rental agreements and permanent easements. Rental agreements are for 10, 15 or 20 years on enrolled land with deferred grazing. He said the annual payments should help buy a little feed. Rainfall index insurance is another option available for ranchers in some Texas counties reeling from drought. more...

14. This year's harvest is cheery time for cherry farmers

Aug 13, 2009      Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

We get a little wind and heavy branches get bent to the point of breaking, or the whole tree goes over. But we've recently had a couple of one-inch and 1 1/2 -inch rains to alleviate the drought conditions. more...