News and Information for the Grain, Milling, Feed, Seed and BioFuels Industries http://www.grainnet.com Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:36:37 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/U_S__Midwest_Hit_with_Floods__Toronto_Sun_-91375.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/U_S__Midwest_Hit_with_Floods__Toronto_Sun_-91375.html http://www.torontosun.com/news/world/2010/03/20/13301956.html Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:17:52 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Grain_Terminal__Port_Important_Steps_for_Exports__High_Plains_Journal_-91374.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Grain_Terminal__Port_Important_Steps_for_Exports__High_Plains_Journal_-91374.html http://www.hpj.com/archives/2010/mar10/mar22/0322ExportStorywpicsJBsr.cfm Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:00:04 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Buried_Alive__Grain_Elevator_Death_a_Mystery__Island_Park__ID__News_-91373.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Buried_Alive__Grain_Elevator_Death_a_Mystery__Island_Park__ID__News_-91373.html http://www.islandparknews.com/atf.php?sid=8012andcurrent_edition=2010-03-18 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:40:06 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/U_S__House_Approves_Agricultural_Credit_Act_of_2009-91341.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/U_S__House_Approves_Agricultural_Credit_Act_of_2009-91341.html Washington, DC. - This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Agricultural Credit Act of 2009. The House Agriculture Committee approved both bills for consideration by the House earlier in March. The Agricultural Credit Act of 2009 (H.R. 3509) would reauthorize funding for the state agricultural mediation grant program. The grants fund state agricultural mediation programs that help agricultural producers, their creditors, and various U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies address disputes including loan problems and USDA adverse decisions. "The grant program for state agricultural mediation is a good-government program that helps thousands of Americans find practical solutions to loan problems and Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:34:51 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Drought_Threatens_Northwest_Crops-91355.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Drought_Threatens_Northwest_Crops-91355.html State College, PA -- AccuWeather.com reports while concerns linger about major river flooding in the Midwest and northern Plains following above-normal precipitation this winter, the Northwest has a problem quite the opposite: drought. Much of the Northwest has been in the throes of a dry spell following a winter of below-normal rain and snow. The lack of snowpack over the area is leaving farmers worried about their crops. Cherries, apples, grapes and winter wheat are primary crops in the Northwest states. Walla Walla, WA has recorded only 55% of its normal precipitation since November and only 4.5 inches of snowfall. A weak El Niño has Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:17:20 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Grain_Bin_Danger__Bountiful_but_Wet_Crop_Creaes_Most_Hazardous_Environment_for_Southwest_Michigan_Farmers_Since_1992__Kalamazoo_Gazette_-91353.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Grain_Bin_Danger__Bountiful_but_Wet_Crop_Creaes_Most_Hazardous_Environment_for_Southwest_Michigan_Farmers_Since_1992__Kalamazoo_Gazette_-91353.html http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/03/grain-bin_danger_bountiful_but.html Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:51:41 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Nichino_America_Petitions_EPA_to_Set_Tolerance_for_Flubendiamide_Insecticide_on_Rice__Dry_Edible_Beans_Peas__Federal_Register_-91349.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Nichino_America_Petitions_EPA_to_Set_Tolerance_for_Flubendiamide_Insecticide_on_Rice__Dry_Edible_Beans_Peas__Federal_Register_-91349.html http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-6074.htm Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:21:21 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Zeeland_Farm_Services_Inc__Calls_for_MI_Gov__Granholm_to_Rescind__Meatout_Day__Proclamation-91337.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Zeeland_Farm_Services_Inc__Calls_for_MI_Gov__Granholm_to_Rescind__Meatout_Day__Proclamation-91337.html Zeeland—Zeeland Farm Services is calling for Governor Jennifer Granholm to rescind her proclamation of Saturday, March 20, 2010 as Michigan Meatout Day, which encourages Michigan residents to choose not to eat meat in observance of the day and to eat only vegetables, fruit and whole grains. “We need an education program that shows people the whole agriculture system,” explained Cliff Meeuwsen, Zeeland Farm Services, Inc. president. “Animals eat a lot of byproducts that would otherwise not be utilized, and these same animals then produce good protein we eat for a well balanced diet.” Zeeland Farm Services supports the Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:09:04 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Ag_Retailers_Assn___DOT_Provides_Temporary_Waiver_to_Hours_of_Service_Rule_for_2010_Planting_Season-91338.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Ag_Retailers_Assn___DOT_Provides_Temporary_Waiver_to_Hours_of_Service_Rule_for_2010_Planting_Season-91338.html Washington DC—ARA was informed March 18 by DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that the hours of service (HOS) rule for transporting anhydrous ammonia would be waived for the 2010 planting season. ARA has been awaiting a decision by FMCSA regarding the movement of farm supplies from a terminal to farm supply dealer and whether it is covered under the HOS agricultural exemption. ARA and several other national trade organizations (TFI, NCFC, AFTC) have been working closely with the Congressmen Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) and Sam Graves (R-MO), trying to convince FMCSA that their narrow interpretation is contrary to Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:57:51 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Roche_NimbleGen_and_Research_Team_Develop_Targeted_Corn_Genome_Sequence_Capture_Method-91335.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Roche_NimbleGen_and_Research_Team_Develop_Targeted_Corn_Genome_Sequence_Capture_Method-91335.html Madison, WIand#151;Researchers from Iowa State University, University of Minnesota, University of Florida and Roche NimbleGen (SIX:RO)(SIX:ROG)(Pink Sheets:RHHBY) have published a novel method to perform targeted sequencing in the highly complex maize genome. The method, which can be easily adapted to other genomes including partially sequenced genomes, has the potential to revolutionize genetic studies in agriculturally important species with a goal of leading to more robust and safer crops. Sequence capture technology, pioneered by Roche NimbleGen and its collaborators, has been widely adopted in human disease studies. Historically, a required component of the capture process is blocking DNA, which prevents the repeats Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:05:27 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/ASA_and_NCGA_Farmer_Leaders_Promote_Trade_With_Cuba__Waterway_Infrastructure_Improvement__and_Biofuels_Incentives_in_Washington__DC_Visit-91327.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/ASA_and_NCGA_Farmer_Leaders_Promote_Trade_With_Cuba__Waterway_Infrastructure_Improvement__and_Biofuels_Incentives_in_Washington__DC_Visit-91327.html St. Louis—As part of National Agriculture Week, farmer leaders of the American Soybean Association and the National Corn Growers Association visited with elected officials in Washington, D.C. to promote current issues in Congress that are important to their industry. Specifically, the groups discussed agricultural trade with Cuba, funding for infrastructure improvements on the Upper Mississippi River system and the advancement of biofuels. “It is important to have a united voice on issues affecting the agriculture industry, particularly during National Agriculture Week,” NCGA President Darrin Ihnen from Hurley, S.D. said. “Corn and soybean growers share many of the same priorities and Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:26:44 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/CWB_Clears_Grain_Storage_Space_for_MB_Wheat_Producers_in_Possible_Flood_Danger__CSC_-91312.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/CWB_Clears_Grain_Storage_Space_for_MB_Wheat_Producers_in_Possible_Flood_Danger__CSC_-91312.html http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2010/03/18/mb-grain-elevators-flooding-cwb-manitoba.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:22:57 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Eastern_OR_Wheat_Producers_Look_for_Rain_and_Better_Prices__Capital_Press_-91311.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Eastern_OR_Wheat_Producers_Look_for_Rain_and_Better_Prices__Capital_Press_-91311.html http://www.capitalpress.com/content/AP-EO-Wheat-crop-031710 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:52:40 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Grain_and_Ethanol_Investors_Wary_of_High_Stocks_and_Uncertain_Fuel_Policy__Reuters_-91308.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Grain_and_Ethanol_Investors_Wary_of_High_Stocks_and_Uncertain_Fuel_Policy__Reuters_-91308.html http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62G35R20100317?type=FoodandAgriculture10 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:45:43 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Man_Dies_After_Grain_Engulfment_in_On_Farm_Grain_Bin_Near_Pocahontas__AR__KFSM_-91307.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Man_Dies_After_Grain_Engulfment_in_On_Farm_Grain_Bin_Near_Pocahontas__AR__KFSM_-91307.html http://www.kfsm.com/news/sns-ap-ar--grainbinsearch,0,950958.story Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:41:22 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Man_Dies_After_Grain_Engulfment_at_General_Mills_Grain_Elevators_in_Newdale__ID__Statesman_-91306.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Man_Dies_After_Grain_Engulfment_at_General_Mills_Grain_Elevators_in_Newdale__ID__Statesman_-91306.html http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/03/18/1121572/man-dies-in-fremont-county-grain.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:20:39 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Chemical_Companies_Increasingly_Use_Renewable_Materials_and_More_Efficient_Production_Processes__New_Scientist_-91301.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Chemical_Companies_Increasingly_Use_Renewable_Materials_and_More_Efficient_Production_Processes__New_Scientist_-91301.html http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527511.500 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:17:53 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/University_of_Arkansas_Researcher_Says_Consumers_Likely_to_Continue_Thrifty_Grocery_Spending_as_Recession_Ends_-91300.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/University_of_Arkansas_Researcher_Says_Consumers_Likely_to_Continue_Thrifty_Grocery_Spending_as_Recession_Ends_-91300.html The recession has caused American consumers to change their shopping habits. For example, based on Food Marketing Institute’s 2009 U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends report, consumers have: • Switched from sit-down or dine-in restaurants to fast food and carry out, • Switched to private labels and less-processed food, and • Switched store formats (type of stores) from grocery to clubs, such as Costco or Sam’s, or discount stores, such as Dollar General. These habits continue to be reflected among the general population as the United States moves out of the recession, said Molly Jensen, assistant professor of marketing in the Sam M. Walton College of Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:01:55 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/USB_Researchers_Identify_Drought_Tolerant_Soybean_Traits-91298.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/USB_Researchers_Identify_Drought_Tolerant_Soybean_Traits-91298.html St. Louis—Research funded by the United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff has identified two drought-tolerant soybean traits that perform well in U.S. soybean varieties under moderate drought and normal conditions. According to Larry Purcell, Ph.D., a professor and soybean researcher at the University of Arkansas, previous research into drought-tolerant plants has predominantly produced the same result: drought-tolerant plants grow better than most plants during drought conditions, but they grow poorly under optimal growing conditions. “For the two traits with which we have worked, we have sidestepped this problem,” Purcell said. “This is a significant project that has produced many important discoveries for finding soybeans with agronomic advantages under Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:07:54 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Global_Harvest_Initiative__Food_Security_Depends_on_Modern_Agriculture-91294.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Global_Harvest_Initiative__Food_Security_Depends_on_Modern_Agriculture-91294.html Washington—Studies released at a symposium March 17 in Washington, D.C. underscored the wide range of benefits modern agriculture has provided to society and emphasized the importance of continued innovation and new technologies to meeting growing global food, feed, fiber and industrial needs. Research presented by a diverse group of experts in agriculture, economics, conservation and food security detailed how technological advancements employed on farms and across the food chain have provided an abundant, safe, affordable food supply while fostering economic development by enabling fewer and fewer people to produce the food required by society. "Modern agriculture offers a range of benefits, including Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:30:58 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/OSHA_Schedules_Combustible_Dust_Stakeholder_Meeting_in_Chicago_to_Address_Workplace_Hazards-91281.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/OSHA_Schedules_Combustible_Dust_Stakeholder_Meeting_in_Chicago_to_Address_Workplace_Hazards-91281.html Chicago, IL -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has scheduled its latest informal stakeholder meetings to continue soliciting comments and suggestions for protecting workers from combustible dust hazards in the workplace. Since 1980, more than 130 workers have been killed, and more than 780 injured in combustible dust explosions. This set of meetings is the third in a series addressing combustible dust hazards. The first meetings were held in Washington, DC. A second meeting was held in Atlanta, GA to facilitate participation by families of victims of the Feb. 7, 2008, explosion at an Imperial Sugar Co. plant in Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:18:07 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Analysts_Project_Higher_Corn_Acreage_Than_Last_Year__Reuters_-91278.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/Analysts_Project_Higher_Corn_Acreage_Than_Last_Year__Reuters_-91278.html http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62F42020100316?type=FoodandAgriculture10 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:09:13 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/GM_Crops_Create_Worldwide_Debate__USA_Today_-91275.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/GM_Crops_Create_Worldwide_Debate__USA_Today_-91275.html http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2010-03-17-Biotech17_cv_N.htm Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:52:29 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/NCGA_Offers_Early_Corn_Utilization_and_Technology_Conference_Registrants_Chance_to_Win_Apple_iPad-91272.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/NCGA_Offers_Early_Corn_Utilization_and_Technology_Conference_Registrants_Chance_to_Win_Apple_iPad-91272.html http://ncga.com/early-cutc-registrants-could-win-apple-ipad-3-16-10 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:43:19 CDT http://www.grainnet.com/articles/MABA_Criticizes_Gov__Granholm_Call_to_Avoid_Eating_Meat-91265.html http://www.grainnet.com/articles/MABA_Criticizes_Gov__Granholm_Call_to_Avoid_Eating_Meat-91265.html LansingMichigan Agri-Business Association President Jim Byrum criticized March 17 Gov. Jennifer Granholm's resolution calling on Michigan citizens to not eat meat and asked her to retract her resolution and apologize to Michigan's agriculture sector and the men and women who work in it. "Gov. Jennifer Granholm's resolution is quite possibly the most meat-headed idea yet coming from a tone-deaf administration that is out of touch with agriculture and the jobs and opportunities we provide to Michigan citizens," Byrum said. "Gov. Granholm should be supporting one of the few bright spots in Michigan's economy instead of attacking it. "She should do