…operations that span the spectrum from farm production to consumer foods. With 2014 annual sales of more than $15 billion, Land O’Lakes is one of the nation’s largest cooperatives, ranking…
FDA Requests Comments on Use of the Term “Natural” on Food Labeling
Comment Period on Use of the Term “Natural” on Food Labeling Extended Until May 10, 2016 In direct response to requests from the public, the FDA has extended the comment…
The Western View: Big Data
The American Farm Bureau Federation has been studying the privacy and security issues associated with “Big Data”. Staff members held meetings in 2014 with growers, Ag tech providers, and others…
Groundwater Management a Costly Endeavor
…Groundwater website offers links and news from state, local and non-governmental agencies. Read more here. 2015 Amendments An updated copy of the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Legislation includes 2015 amendments…
Gift Ideas for Gardeners
…gift ideas for the green thumb on your list. Gardening Gift Ideas Excerpts from a publication from Johnson County Government The Best Times, Volume 32 No. 12 December, 2014. Hoe-hoe-hoe:…
USDA Shares 2015 Results
…popular microloan program (16,000 since 2013), with 70% issued to new farmers. The Value Added Producer Grant program, one of our most successful and effective drivers in helping agricultural producers…
Agri View: Trade Talks and Cuba
Everett Griner talks about U.S. and Cuban agriculture officials talking trade in today’s Agri View. Trade Talks and Cuba From ERS Amber Waves website: In December 2014, the United States…
USDA Announces $3.4 Million in Funding Available Through International Wheat Partnership Research Program
…be made through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), which is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. The new International Wheat Yield…
Vilsack on the COOL Requirements for Beef and Pork
…requirements for muscle cut and ground beef and pork outlined in the January 2009 and May 2013 final rules.” USDA will be amending the COOL regulations as expeditiously as possible…
The Western View: Red Combines
…Farmall, IH, and Case tractors built between 1948 and 2013. The book is available from the publisher at octanepress.com <http://octanepress.com/> or from amazon.com <http://amazon.com/>, and if you order in then…
Water Cuts Inevitable for Valley Future
…the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Some of these expanded responsibilities include: (1) developing regulations to revise groundwater basin boundaries; (2) adopting regulations for evaluating and implementing Groundwater Sustainability…
California Leads Nation in Horticultural Sales
California leads the nation with $2.88 billion in horticulture sales, according to the 2014 Census of Horticultural Specialties report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service…
USDA Finalizes Rule to Enhance Consumer Protection
…complements expedited traceback and traceforward procedures announced in August 2014 that enhance the agency’s ability to quickly and broadly investigate food safety breakdowns in the event of an outbreak connected…
American Pistachio Growers Visit China
…commodities grown in California, pistachios ranked in the top ten, valued at $1.6 billion in 2014. In crop year 2013/14, 65% of total production was exported, and greater China accounted…