The average corn basis has firmed during the past week, while futures prices sunk to three-month lows. Needless to say, farmers have become tight-fisted with their corn and are reluctant to sell any of it at lower cash prices.

A desire to continually improve Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) on their operations while successfully encouraging others around them to implement BQA was evident this week as two producers were honored with the annual national BQA award which was...

Over 70 CCA members toured the capitol and had the opportunity to learn how the association has helped to shape and build the state of Colorado. Members had the opportunity to visit with state legislators about issues affecting the agriculture industry and overlook the House chambers from the balcony.

Representatives of Washington state’s cattle industry gathered together at the capitol in Olympia, WA, on Jan. 19 to testify before the Committee on Agricultural and Rural Economic Policy. They testified on behalf of a bill that, if enacted, would grant greater authority to the brand inspection system in that state. The primary goal of the bill, according to officials

MeatAMI.com reports U.S. foodservice industry sales are forecasted to decrease in 2010 as consumers are more frugal with money. Sales were initially forecast at 0.8 percent lower than last year; new reports show a decline of 1.6 percent. Reports were conducted by the foodservice and consulting firm Technomic.

Biofuels makers have been waiting for the rules which are designed to implement a 2007 law that mandated an ever-increasing amount of biofuels be added to transportation fuel. This year, 12.95 billion gallons of renewable fuel must be part of the supply, up almost 17 percent from last year.

Tricia Geringer has recently been hired as director of government affairs at the Agricultural Council of California (Ag Council). She will bring a wealth of policy experience to the organization through her past work on Capitol Hill for Congressman Radanovich, R-Mariposa.

USDA trimmed its food inflation forecast for 2010, projecting prices at grocery stores and restaurants will rise at the same rate. USDA lowered the con- sumer price index for all food to gain 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent from its December forecast of 3 percent to 4 percent.

While all the Ranch Hand Rodeo spots are filled, there are still plenty of opportunities to participate in other events during the 2010 Winnemucca Ranch Hand Rodeo weekend. For more information, please visit www.ranchrodeonv.com. Entry forms and official rules are available online.

Farmers are just now registering that this is something they will face in the next year, said John Lory, University of Missouri (MU) Extension environmental nutrient management specialist. We understand its going to be confusing, and farmers need help to be prepared for the deadlines later this year.