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Farm Families Absorb Higher Cost of Living
Living expenses between 2006 and 2007 for the
average Illinois farm family increased by nearly $7,000, according to a recent
study conducted by the University of Illinois.The study was based on data from 1,232 farm
families enrolled in the Illinois Farm Business Farm Management Association. It
can be viewed online.“The average amount spent per family (in 2007)
for capital items was $1,426 more (than in 2006) while non-capital expenses
jumped $5,300 per family,” said Dale Lattz, U of
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McCain, Obama Pledge Support of Ag to Farm Bureau Presidents
Presumptive presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain spoke to the
American Farm Bureau Federation’s Council of Presidents by teleconference
this week, both pledging their continued support for
American agriculture.
Senator McCain (R-Ariz.), the first to speak, pledged to support trade
agreements that will open markets to U.S. agriculture. “I believe the American
agricultural worker is the most efficient and productive in the world, and one
of my jobs is to open every
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Largest-ever Gulf Hypoxia Forecast
Scientists are forecasting this summer’s hypoxia
zone in the Gulf of Mexico could be the largest on record.
Scientists from the Louisiana Universities Marine
Consortium and Louisiana State University are predicting the area could measure
8,800-square miles by late July. The previous record was 8,481-square miles in
2002. Regular measurements have been taken since 1985.
Hypoxia is a depletion of oxygen in the water
that can affect aquatic life.
The projected zone -- while still a
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USDA ups corn forecast despite flood losses
USDA
last week at least temporarily eased some concerns about a tight corn supply as
it increased estimated corn plantings nationwide this year by about 1.3 million
acres.
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New wind energy trade group forms in Illinois
Illinois
is home to a new wind energy trade association, dubbed Wind for Illinois (WFI).
The
non-profit group’s formation was announced recently during a wind power
conference in
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New rules to link backyeard electricity and the utilities
New
state rules are governing the interaction between investor-owned utility
companies and Illinoisans who produce and use their own electricity, especially
from individual wind turbines.
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Flood victims priority: Rural Development
Illinois Rural Development is giving priority status
to individuals and entities requesting funds to recover from floods in federal
disaster areas.“With the waters receding and damage being
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Ecosystem funding stall could affect lock upgrades
Lawmakers
are off to a “decent start” in funding new Upper Mississippi-Illinois River
locks, but a proposed stay on environmental improvements could delay
navigational upgrades, warned Waterways
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State shifts to flood clean up, recovery; 'battle plan' to come
State
officials last week unveiled plans to clean up flooded communities across
Illinois and intend “to put together a battle plan for next time,” Mike
Chamness of the Illinois Emergency
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President raises federal flood aid cost share
Illinois
congressmen applauded President Bush’s announcement last week that the federal
government would cover a greater share of flood disaster costs in
disaster-designated
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Mexico eyes cane use to feed energy needs
Like the U.S., Mexico is looking to reduce its dependence on
imported energy while making new use of an old agricultural standby and the
byproducts of an expanding livestock industry.Cesar de Anda,
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Signs hopeful for G8 support for ag biotech
As
world leaders convene for this week’s global “G8 Summit,” intended talk of
global climate change is expected to shift to more immediate global food
concerns. And
with the
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Trade driving Mexican technology, pan-American unity
The
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has generated its share of debate
between the U.S. and Mexico since its approval in 1994.But a Mexican agribusiness leader sees NAFTA and free
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Agriculture part of solution to meet world needs
Tony
King, secretary/treasurer of the International Farm Management Association
(IFMA), acknowledged these are “extraordinary times” in agriculture. Booming worldwide demand for
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IFB Commodities Conference July 30
The Illinois Farm Bureau’s annual commodities
conference will be July 30 at the Crowne Plaza hotel and conference center in
Springfield. The theme for this year’s event,“Off the
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Illinois supports Midwest bid for disease facility
The
Heartland is best suited to protect the nation’s health, safety, and food
supply against mutual threats to livestock and people. So
says Kansas Bioscience Authority President Tom Thornton, who
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Education among equine groups' top priorities
Educating
horse owners and others about industry challenges is a priority for the 2008
Equine Roundtable. Recently,
roundtable members met in Bloomington to discuss and prioritize
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Good time to check fields for conservation needs
Many
fields throughout Illinois are showing significant damage from ephemeral
erosion caused by concentrated water flow and highlighting the need for grassed
waterways, according to Bob
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Market watch: All eyes shift to the weather
A
projected increase in corn plantings last week may have provided temporary
relief to end-users, but the feed industry is “not out of the woods yet,”
according to market analyst Jim
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Manure research results now on website
A
multi-university research team, led by Paul Walker of Illinois State
University, studied practical methods to handle and apply manure. Those
research results along with related rules and
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