Washington DC -July 27- The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a new Farm Bill that makes historic investments in fruit and vegetable production, conservation, nutrition and renewable energy while maintaining a strong safety net for America’s farmers and ranchers. Read the rest of this entry »

Washington DC -July 25- Following is the transcript of remarks of tele-news conference with USDA Secretary Mike Johanns regarding the Farm BIll: Read the rest of this entry »

Washington DC -July 23- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns has announced a measure to provide livestock in drought-affected states with needed additional hay and forage. Read the rest of this entry »

Washington DC -July 17- A surplus of unsold homes on the market, combined with ongoing concerns in the subprime mortgage arena and affordability issues associated with tightened lending standards and higher interest rates, continue to take a significant toll on builder confidence, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). Read the rest of this entry »

Washington DC -July 17- According to new statistics released by American Farmland Trust’s Farmland Information Center, state and local governments continue to invest in purchase of agricultural conservation easement(PACE) programs to ensure the economic viability of agriculture and to protect the nation’s farmland, even as Congress debates the need for  increased federal matching funds through the federal Farm and Ranch Lands  Protection Program (FRPP). Read the rest of this entry »

Washington DC -July 17- USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced the selection of Kansas State University to lead a multi-institutional benefit-cost analysis of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Read the rest of this entry »

Washington DC -July 12- As part of a new and closer relationship EPA seeks with the farm community, Administrator Stephen L. Johnson today in Washington presided over the agency’s first-ever dialogue with leaders of the agriculture industry. Read the rest of this entry »

Washington DC -July 12- Retail food prices at the supermarket increased slightly in the second quarter of 2007, according to the latest American Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Survey. Read the rest of this entry »

Washington DC -July 11- “A new Consumer Reports poll released today suggesting that consumers want country of origin labeling for food underscores the value of the existing mandatory country of origin labeling rules for imported meat and poultry enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Read the rest of this entry »

Washington DC -July 3- Pending home sales, a forward-looking indicator, shows existing-home sales may ease but should stay fairly close to present levels in the months ahead, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Read the rest of this entry »