Minnesota farmers also plan to plant the fewest acres of spring wheat since 1972, a record low acreage for barley, fewer acres of sugar beets, but more oats and sunflowers. Minnesota farmers plan to plant six-point-seven (m) million acres of Soybeans, down nine percent from last year, following a trend across the Midwest of switching from soybeans to corn. Minnesota farmers plan to plant a record seven-point-nine (m) million acres of corn. That's an eight percent increase from last year,...

The boxes did not contain any materials considered a possible risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly called mad cow disease, Mickelson said. The Springdale-based food giant said an inadvertent beef shipment from the plant contained two boxes of beef from cattle that exceeded Japan's age limit of 20 months or younger. beef exports to Japan from cattle aged 20 months or less to safeguard against mad cow disease, according to Japanese news sources. Japan recently asked that a...

Creekstone, however, was willing to wager that, at least in the Japanese market, people would be willing to pay a higher price for beef that had been screened for mad cow disease. The federal judge agreed in a ruling that said the USDA doesnt have the right to regulate the test and bar Creekstone from using it. A federal judges ruling last week would allow the nations meatpackers to perform tests that many Americans probably would applaud. Department of Agriculture barred it from testing...

The following renewable energy proposals are contained within the energy, conservation and rural development titles of the administration's farm bill proposal: Reauthorize the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements loan guarantee program. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns recently discussed details of the Bush administration's farm bill proposals that would dramatically expand commitment to renewable fuels by providing $1. Johanns stated, "The cellulosic...

Acme meat merchandiser Mike Haught said that hams with a bone are generally more flavorful than those without, and the bone will provide the basis for a prized pot of soup. For a smoked ham, Leach said he puts green beans directly into the drippings in the roaster for the last half hour of baking, and will bake potatoes or sweet potatoes in the oven, too, for a simple meal that's all ready at the same time. Just put it in the oven to bake, and unless you go the extra step and glaze it,...