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Agriculture Today
A daily snapshot of US and world agriculture, prepared by Brownfield farm broadcasters and emailed each weekday. It's free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Subscribe now »  Sample »

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Ag Spotlight
World Pork Expo
June 5-7, Des Moines, IA. Watch and listen for our reports from Tom Steever and Pete Shinn.
Features & Commentary

Inside D.C.
The Last Farm Bill
With two-thirds of spending going to nutrition programs and only 16% actually being spent on farm programs, have we seen the last of a true Farm Bill?

Rural Issues Forum
Preparing for a national animal emergency
The National Veterinary Stockpile was put in place to augment state and local resources in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak. In addition to having materials, responders are trained in HAZMAT, have trained and are skilled in incident command as well as the cleaning and disinfecting of disposal areas. They have gone through training in depopulation and animal handling. Before visiting APHIS Emergency Operations in Riverdale, Maryland last week, I was unaware the National Veterinary Stockpile existed. I'm glad they do.

Innovations
Stine Seed pursuing efforts to improve soybean yields
Dr. Bill Eby, Director of Soybean Research for Adel, Iowa-based Stine Seed, says the company is pursuing research across a wide range of areas in an effort to improve soybean yields. But he says progress comes with consistent effort year-in and year-out, not in one great leap forward.

Managing for Profit
Animal welfare will become a more important part of farm management
Keri Retallick with Validus says we are moving toward national standards and it will be in the best interest of livestock producers to comply with those standards.

President Bush intends to veto farm bill
Despite overwhelming congressional support for the farm bill, the Bush Administration is staying the course in its opposition to the measure.  More »
Latest Headlines
AFBF head says volatility of futures markets affecting farmers Grassley takes on those behind ethanol "smear campaign" Senate passes farm bill 81 to 15, groups urge Bush support


Livestock
May proclaimed Missouri Beef Month 
Missouri Beef Industry Council executive director John Kleibocher says it’s a great time to be thinking about our state’s largest agricultural industry – beef production.
Analysts expect lower than a year ago cattle on feed

The United States Department of Agriculture is scheduled to release May cattle on feed estimates Friday, May 16 at 2 PM Central.
USDA/Government
President Bush intends to veto farm bill 
Despite overwhelming congressional support for the farm bill, the Bush Administration is staying the course in its opposition to the measure.
AFBF head says volatility of futures markets affecting farmers
American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman at a hearing on Capitol Hill this week told lawmakers that farmers are dealing with “unusual degrees of financial risk and exposure” as the volatility of futures markets increases.
Markets
Corn, soybean and wheat exports within estimates
The United States Department of Agriculture reports that corn, soybean and wheat export sales, for the week ending May 8, 2008, were within analysts' projections.
April NOPA bean crush below estimates
The National Oilseed Processors Association reports that April’s soybean crush by member firms was smaller than expected at 139.966 million bushels.