Corn and soybean yields and production were both reduced in USDA’s Nov. 9 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, and came in below average from pre-report trade expectations, according to analysts.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are collaborating on a project to evaluate the feasibility of transforming West Haymarket Brownfield Site in Lincoln, NE, into a site to generate renewable wind energy.

An advisory panel of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare began the much anticipated review of Japan’s meat import rules last week. Current restrictions in place ban import of beef from cattle over 20 months of age.

While the proposed changes do not apply to children working on a farm owned or operated by their parents, they would impact the 14- and 15-year-olds wanting to work on farms not owned by their parents. It also impacts high school vocational agriculture programs, including 4-H.

“After the most recent laboratory analysis, we have confirmed that the outbreak of foot and mouth disease ... came about as a result of problems with the vaccination of animals,” said Daniel Rojas, head of Paraguay’s National Service for Animal Health and Quality.

Despite the lower cutout values last week, fed cattle prices were higher. The fed cattle market strengthened at $1 to $2/cwt. higher last week with sales at $120-121 in the south Plains and $120-122 in the Corn Belt. Dressed sales were reported at $189 to $192/cwt.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a proposed rule for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) that was written primarily to settle another dispute between EPA and environmentalist groups, although EPA claims it is necessary to meet water quality protection responsibilities under the Clean Water Act (CWA).

A new DNA test for marbling and post-weaning growth will soon help cattle producers better hit the high-quality beef target. The tool, set to debut in early 2012, will be made available under a development agreement between Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) and Pfizer Animal Genetics, the companies announced.

Although rumors are circulating that refer to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) attempt to regulate farm dust as a myth, a hearing hosted by Chairman Ed Whitfield, R-KY, of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, cleared up what many call profound misconceptions.

Dry Creek Rancheria, 75 acres of what was once an 86,400-acre territory, is home to the Pomo Indians, and they include not just one tribe, but approximately 21 independent communities speaking seven different language dialects. The tribe was officially recognized as a sovereign nation in 1915.