http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/agriculture/ en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:22:44 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418049/posts Agriculture: Already buffeted by rising food prices due to biofuels, consumers face a bigger hike if climate-change legislation is passed. Farming costs will rise, and it may be more profitable to plant trees than crops. If the cap-and-trade provisions of the Waxman-Markey bill become law, you can wave goodbye to those amber waves of grain as America's heartland falls victim to a perverse set of incentives and a process called "afforestation." Soybeans and wheat will give way to elms and oaks. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack wants a review of what amounts to an agricultural impact study of HR 2454, which... Townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418049/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:22:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413458/posts According to a recent Congressional Budget Office report, the increased use of ethanol is responsible for a rise in food prices of approximately 10 to 15 percent. Why? We're turning corn into fuel — a highly inefficient one, at that — instead of food. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy points out that "mixing food and fuel markets for political reasons has done American consumers no discernable good, while producing measurable harm." However, perhaps summing up the issue most succinctly is Mark J. Perry, professor of economics and finance at the University of Michigan-Flint: Anytime you have Paul Krugman agreeing... Mises Institute http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413458/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:52:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412979/posts Jim Rogers and Marc Faber See Disaster Looming, Blame The Fed Posted on 12/21/09 at 11:47am by Bud Fox Legendary investors Jim Rogers and Marc Faber have similar outlooks on the financial crisis and the efforts of the Federal Reserve to revive the U.S. economy. What do they think of the Fed's quantitative easing policy? In a word, it is a recipe for disaster. According to Rogers, governments have not addressed the underlying problems which triggered the crisis, but instead have "flooded the world with money." He argues that trying to solve the problem of too much consumption and too... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412979/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:35:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412807/posts Beekeepers have to scratch this season to find much to be thankful for. Too-cool, too-rainy weather almost everywhere gave American farmers great soybean and field corn crops this season, but kept summer blossoms from producing much nectar and kept bees from gathering what little there was. In lots of places (the Dakotas and Midwest and much of the east) the bees were barely able to keep up with feeding themselves and their young this summer. Everything they gathered they turned into more bees ... and, unfortunately, more mites. Excess honey just wasn't in the equation, leading to the worst honey... The Daily Green http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412807/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:16:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407735/posts Agri-Food's And The Global Warming Research Dollars Ponzi Scam Commodities / Agricultural Commodities Dec 14, 2009 - 03:34 PM By: Ned_W_Schmidt The Global Warming Scam may finally be on its way to well-deserved oblivion. Take your pick of discrediting events, the snow storms that hit the Midwestern U.S., snow at the start of the Australian Summer, -40 degree temps in Western Canada, or Climategate. The Global Warming Scam appears now to have been nothing more than a giant research dollar Ponzi-like scheme. Researchers would take research dollars, cook some numbers, discard other data, and exchange dubious research for more funding... The Market Oracle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407735/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:07:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407545/posts For Immediate Release Thursday, December 10, 2009 Contact: Contact: Kaelan Richards 202-225-3661 DeLauro Calls for Equality for Women Farmers Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) today introduced the Equality for Women Farmers Act. She was joined by Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (CA-14), an original co-sponsor of the bill, and by six women farmers who shared their stories of discrimination by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) simply because of their gender. This legislation will seek to change the USDA’s history of discrimination towards women farmers, by addressing past transgressions and working to prevent future problems. For those who have been... Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407545/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:09:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402960/posts PETA is not the most popular kid on the block. Between antagonizing meat-eaters and radicalizing the use of naked ad campaigns, the animal rights group has made more than a couple enemies. This is the first time, however, that the lawful, nonviolent organization has been officially classified as a “terrorist threat.” In a new security form circulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the federal department asks animal experimentation facilities whether they’ve been confronted by a handful of “terrorist” groups, including the Earth Liberation Front, known for their use of arson and explosives; the Animal Liberation Front, which popularized property... Metro http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402960/posts#comment Tue, 8 Dec 2009 17:41:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402480/posts California: While Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger worries about rising seas, his state sinks below the waves. Don't mess with Texas, they say. But California and the nation could follow its lead. Last Wednesday, Gov. Schwarzenegger released a new report based on research compiled by the California Energy Commission claiming that by 2100 San Francisco Bay would be more bay than San Francisco, with Fisherman's Wharf and Treasure Island under the rising waters of climate change. His show-and-tell, which included a new Google Earth application the commission spent $150,000 to help develop, goes a long way toward explaining the once-Golden State's slide... Investors.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402480/posts#comment Tue, 8 Dec 2009 01:10:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2400954/posts LOS BANOS, Philippines (AFP) – Asian rice farmers typically do not fly around the world on holidays or own big-engine cars but scientists say they have an important role to play in helping cut the world's output of greenhouse gases. While much of the globe's focus in the climate change fight is on the burning of fossil fuels and the logging of rainforests, water-logged rice paddies are also a major source of global warming-causing methane. > About 10 percent of the methane comes from rice farming, while other sources include the flatulence of cows and decomposing landfill garbage dumps. Wassmann... AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2400954/posts#comment Sat, 5 Dec 2009 14:55:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398345/posts Most businesses in Indiana applaud the new tax caps. However, there is one industry in the state that has said no to their elected officials. The farmers of Indiana are rallying against the proposed caps. They say the caps, as listed in the bill, are unfair... Huntington Political Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398345/posts#comment Wed, 2 Dec 2009 13:01:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2394967/posts Handmade chocolates, artisanal cheeses, vintage Champagne — consumers are thinking twice about splurging on such luxurious goods during the tough economic times. But sales of at least one fancy food item have held up: gourmet turkeys that easily cost $100 or more. “It’s a hot item,” said Bill Niman, a prominent advocate for sustainable agriculture who this year jumped into the so-called heritage turkey market — older breeds of birds that had all but disappeared until championed by preservationists and foodies. He raised 2,500 birds for Thanksgiving and “sold every bird.” Mr. Niman’s turkeys were priced at $6.99 a pound.... New York Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2394967/posts#comment Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:35:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387787/posts World leaders at a U.N. summit on food security in Rome are vowing to take "urgent action" to eliminate global hunger. But they did not agree in their final declaration to a U.N. request for $44 billion a year in farm aid. The World Food Program says for the first time ever, more than one billion people in the world are going hungry. That's more than one out of every six people on Earth. World hunger and food security are the focus of a three-day U.N. summit that opened Monday in Rome. VOA News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387787/posts#comment Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:40:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387382/posts The crispness is in the air and frost has already been on the pumpkin this fall. It's harvest time in Indiana. But for farmers, this has not been a good year. A shortened planting season because of rain is now mixed with a late harvest because of rain. Some reports have the moisture content as high as 35 percent in some areas. This has posed a problem for the wheat industry in Indiana. Huntington Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387382/posts#comment Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:23:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2379112/posts Crops Headed For A Tough Harvest by: Jim Delaney November 03, 2009 Although it appears the prospects for the producers of porcine products have prettied, yes, lipstick included, that cannot be said for all of the ‘ole MacDonald’s in the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported recently that due to a late planting season and a cooler and wetter fall than normal, only 20% of the corn crop is out of the fields vs. an average of 58% during the years of 2004-2008. “It’s getting scarier. The longer we go, the more mold keeps growing and the more ears... Seeking Alpha http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2379112/posts#comment Thu, 5 Nov 2009 14:19:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2375902/posts Livestock and Climate Change: What if the key actors in climate change are...cows, pigs, and chickens? The environmental impact of the lifecycle and supply chain of animals raised for food has been vastly underestimated, and in fact accounts for at least half of all human-caused greenhouse gases (GHGs), according to Robert Goodland and Jeff Anhang, co-authors of "Livestock and Climate Change". A widely cited 2006 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Livestock's Long Shadow, estimates that 18 percent of annual worldwide GHG emissions are attributable to cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, camels, pigs, and poultry. But recent analysis... Worldwatch Institute http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2375902/posts#comment Sun, 1 Nov 2009 16:21:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2374820/posts A farm in every Pittsburgh neighborhood would be one of the goals of a Franco Dok Harris administration, the independent mayoral candidate said today, as his campaign sounded its final notes before Tuesday's election. The novel proposal -- which would have the city assemble vacant lots and help gather the expertise needed to transform them into farms Read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09303/1009555-100.stm#ixzz0VRy1TKRj Pittsburgh Post-Gazette http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2374820/posts#comment Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:44:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2370801/posts Biofuel refineries in the US have set fresh records for grain use every month since May. Almost a third of the US corn harvest will be diverted into ethanol for motors this year, or 12pc of the global crop. The world's grain stocks have dropped from four to 2.6 months cover since 2000, despite two bumper harvests in North America. China's inventories are at a 30-year low. Asian rice stocks are near danger level. Yet farm commodities have largely missed out on Bernanke's reflation rally in metals, oil, and everything else. Dylan Grice from Société Générale sees "bargain basement" prices.... The Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2370801/posts#comment Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:10:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2365963/posts INTERNATIONAL. Legendary global investor and chairman of Singapore- based Rogers Holdings, Jim Rogers said the lack of supply in agricultural products is especially concerning. This cycle may last for many years as no one is bringing new supply on stream, Rogers said. In a Yahoo Finance video clip Rogers explains the reasons he is bullish on agricultural commodities. As he sees it, "most agricultural products are still depressed on a historic basis." "The story is not over, not for a while," he said. "I don't see any reason it's going to be over for a few years because no one... Business Intelligence - Middle East http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2365963/posts#comment Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:36:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2361734/posts ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Farmers from North Dakota and Vermont and four others trying to plant hemp seeds at the headquarters of the Drug Enforcement Administration have been arrested. Arlington County police spokeswoman Detective Crystal Nosal says six people were charged with trespassing on Tuesday. They were among 21 people protesting the ban on farming of hemp, which is related to the illegal drug marijuana. The Hemp Industries Association says the protesters turned to civil disobedience for the first time. The group is lobbying lawmakers on Capitol Hill. They want to grow hemp for non-drug products. North Dakota farmer Wayne... WDAY NEWS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2361734/posts#comment Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:59:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2360960/posts The top of the frozen apple juice can was stamped with the date, then the word "China." I could not believe it. China? I live in the Shenandoah Valley, at one time the biggest apple producer in the world, and my apple juice comes from China? Maybe it's just this store brand, I thought. But a visit to another grocery store confirmed it. They stocked a name brand, the top of it stamped with the date and the words "from China." I googled "China and apples." Stories and reports came up confirming my ... yes, fear. I hadn't been paying... Care 2 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2360960/posts#comment Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:53:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2359646/posts FORT WORTH — U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison landed a coveted endorsement Monday — from the Texas Farm Bureau, which some expected would go to incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Perry, the state’s former agriculture commissioner — in her bid to become the next Texas governor. Farm Bureau officials say that they did not make the decision lightly, but that it was not difficult because it involves "a matter of trust." "This is the most important race for governor in a long time," Kenneth Dierschke, president of the Texas Farm Bureau, said in a statement read at a local news conference.... Fort Worth Star Telegram http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2359646/posts#comment Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:47:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2358098/posts Finally acknowledging that there is a significant government-created crisis in the San Joaquin Valley, the Interior Department convened a public hearing Sept. 30, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein has announced she has asked her staff to begin assembling a major piece of legislation to address the water crisis facing the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has issued a "memorandum of understanding" that will keep representatives from six federal agencies talking to various interest groups in California. The problem is that it will take months to make such decisions and years for results to be apparent. The crisis is... appeal-democrat.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2358098/posts#comment Fri, 9 Oct 2009 03:22:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2353232/posts Good morning to all of you gardeners. I started the clean up of my garden this past week. I am taking my time doing it. I started with my tomato plants and decided not to use them in my compost pile. I do plan on pulling up my landscape fabric and saving it for next season. I would like to plant winter rye grass in the garden but would like other advice from y’all. What would be a good cover for this area until spring? Free Republic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2353232/posts#comment Fri, 2 Oct 2009 10:59:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2356330/posts Weekend Roundup --snip-- Picture Highlight: the new Herschel Space Telescope, is seeing first light and creating dramatic images of gas clouds in the Milky Way... CEH http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2356330/posts#comment Tue, 6 Oct 2009 23:57:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2355225/posts Plant geneticist Dr John Sanford began working as a research scientist at Cornell University in 1980. He co-invented the ‘gene gun’ approach to genetic engineering of plants. This technology has had a major impact on agriculture around the world... Creation Magazine http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2355225/posts#comment Mon, 5 Oct 2009 16:03:40 GMT