Biotech wheat fallout — AgMinute for May 31, 2013

Japan has suspended its regular purchase of soft white wheat after genetically modified wheat was found in an Oregon field, an industry representative says.

Sheep versus bears — AgMinute for May 30, 2013

Several environmental groups have filed a legal complaint claiming that USDA sheep research in Idaho disrupts the recovery of threatened grizzly bears. The environmentalists allege that the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station near Dubois, Idaho, has become a "black hole for carnivores."

Saving lives — AgMinute for May 29, 2013

Farm groups have teamed up with Gov. Butch Otter to create a canal safety campaign designed to help prevent the canal-related deaths that occur in Idaho each year.

Too cheap fertilizer — AgMinute for May 28, 2013

The federal government has decided to keep high tariffs on Ukrainian exports of ammonium nitrate even though the fertilizer is now cheaper to produce in the U.S. The U.S. International Trade Commission has ruled that dropping the tariffs would likely cause "material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time" to domestic fertilizer manufacturers.

Struggling after getting 'slimed' — AgMinute for May 27, 2013

The beef-processing company that makes the product that critics call "pink slime" continues to struggle more than a year after the initial stories on the lean bits of beef that Beef Products Inc. makes.

Stuck on eggs — AgMinute for May 24, 2013

Federal standards for the welfare of egg-laying hens suffered a defeat when they failed to make it into the farm bill legislation voted out of the agriculture committees in the U.S. House and Senate.

Slaughterhouse fie! — AgMinute for May 23, 2013

The USDA hasn't taken proper enforcement measures against slaughterhouses that violate food safety and animal welfare laws, according to an internal agency audit.

Whither wheat? — AgMinute for May 22, 2013

After increasing significantly in 2012, Idaho wheat exports to Mexico dropped considerably during the first quarter of 2013. The drop was caused by very high corn prices last year that resulted in a lot of Idaho wheat being sent through feed channels.

No drone, no spy — AgMinute for May 21, 2013

A new Idaho law that takes effect July 1 will prevent people from using drones to spy on farmers and ranchers. A bill that has been signed into law by Gov. Butch Otter restricts people from using drones to spy on anyone but it was crafted specifically with agriculture in mind.

Celiac-friendly spuds — AgMinute for May 20, 2013

A new Idaho Potato Commission recipe promotion seeks to capitalize on a sharp increase in Americans who report suffering from gluten intolerance.

Aid anger — AgMinute for May 17, 2013

U.S. farm groups are alarmed by the president's proposal to eliminate the country's international food aid program, which purchases U.S. commodities and ships them abroad, and switch to a new cash-based system that can buy food overseas closer to where it's needed.

Up and up — AgMinute for May 16, 2013

Oil prices have shot up in recent weeks despite abundant production, pushing up prices for gasoline and diesel in the West, experts say.

Roaring exports — AgMinute for May 15, 2013

The value of Idaho agricultural exports continued to increase during the first quarter of 2013 despite a reduction in dairy sales, which drove the state's record farm export totals in 2011 and 2012.

Monsanto triumphant — AgMinute for May 14, 2013

The U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously rejected a farmer's claim that patents on biotech seed are "exhausted" once the crop is sold to a grain elevator.

Restoring history — AgMinute for May 13, 2013

The University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Science recently unveiled its restored John Deere Model AW tractor, as part of a celebration of the history of agriculture.

Farm bill sightings — AgMinute for May 10, 2013

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said today that she plans to hold a mark up of a new farm bill in May, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., signaled that he intends to bring it to the Senate floor.

Hamburger Ho! — AgMinute for May 9, 2013

Little or no profits in the milk-production sector in the second half of 2012 and strong cull prices drove dairy cow slaughter to its highest level in 26 years.

ACRE awaits — AgMinute for May 8, 2013

Growers have until June 3 to sign up for the USDA's ACRE program for 2013. It is designed to provide revenue insurance for loss of production or price decreases.

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Easing fertilizer prices — AgMinute for May 7, 2013

Increased global production of urea is reducing prices for nitrogen fertilizers, with the downward trend likely to continue through the summer, experts say.

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Innate taters — AgMinute for May 6, 2013

Simplot Plant Sciences has introduced a new line of biotech potatoes using a patented technology that incorporates desirable traits from wild potato DNA into common commercial varieties.

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Pesticides pondered — AgMinute for May 3, 2013

An eagerly awaited report about endangered species has managed the rare feat of pleasing both environmentalists and the pesticide industry. The National Academy of Sciences report examines processes used by federal agencies to evaluate the risk that pesticides pose to protected species.

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Scuse nominated — AgMinute for May 2, 2013

The White House has named Michael Scuse as the Department of Agriculture's acting deputy secretary effective May 4, replacing Kathleen Merrigan, who is leaving the USDA.

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Court blasts deal — AgMinute for May 1, 2013

A settlement deal between government agencies and environmentalists over forest species sidestepped the public rule-making process, according to a federal appeals court.

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