Grain company Bunge Limited has set up a Web site that uses individual farmers knowledge to forecast how the country s crops will perform. Northeast Indiana farmers know exactly how corn is faring in their fields, but they have less precise information about the nation s crop. Farmetrics users can make weekly guesses about how much grain was planted in their county, how much will be harvested in the fall and other statistics. Some area farmers and agriculture experts are using the...

The government, which had predicted farmers would plant the most acres since 1944, is scheduled to release its next estimate June 29 based on a new survey of growers. farmers will plant more corn and soybeans than the government forecast in March as they replace fields of winter wheat damaged by an unusual freeze in April, said commodity researcher Informa Economics inc. Farmers are converting more acres to corn to take advantage of last year's 81% jump in prices on demand for grain-based...

A danger of food poisoning exists from mold, bulging lids, gas bubbles and leakage caused by incorrect canning procedures. A water bath canner should be used only for acid foods such as fruits, rhubarb, tomatoes, sauerkraut, pickles and high sugar items like jams, jellies and butters. To destroy bacteria or spores that cause food spoilage and/or food poisoning in low-acid foods (green beans, corn, etc. Get canner gauges checked for accuracy. Take canning jars out of the canner as soon as...

California experienced an adequate number of chilling hours over the winter, benefiting the Freestone crop. Home Freestone, Cling peach crops estimate unchanged. Home Freestone, Cling peach crops estimate unchanged. The bloom period was fairly quick, with above average temperatures and no rain. The crop was reported to be of excellent quality, with good sizes. The Clingstone crop also benefited from an adequate number of chilling hours last winter. Overall, the bloom was reported to be...

Meanwhile, American farmers who cultivate other crops almost 400 different types, including fruits and vegetables get nothing. Corn and soybeans are among the top five most-subsidized crops, but this doesn t mean we re all eating inexpensive tofu, edamame or even corn-on-the-cob. Amazingly, the spindly plants grew in spite of my inexperience and produced some of the tastiest tomatoes one could hope to eat. For years, farm policy has protected (and subsidized) the interests of corporate...