Another major change in the watermelon market over the last several years has been in its size, with the development of refrigerator-size melons and even watermelons for one, a boon to singles and small families who can't possibly finish those big ol' guys, much less find room for them in the fridge. In the course of just two decades, seedless watermelons, developed north of Abilene, have taken over the market -- accounting for a whopping 80 percent of retail watermelon sales in the United...

Secretary of Agriculture Ann) Veneman yesterday and asked that the USDA purchase any cattle prior to depopulation, so farmers don't suffer further financial hardship. Backing away from an earlier proposal to cut millions of dollars from the state's public-school system, anti-tax activist Tim Eyman is instead launching an initiative to cut $550 million from local property taxes. If Eyman collects the necessary quarter-million signatures to put the measure on the fall ballot, we'll be...

If you have a kid in school New state laws limit the amounts of sugar and saturated fats that show up in the food at public schools. Another new regulation: At least half the drinks sold immediately before, during and after school must be juices, water, low- or nonfat milk, nondairy milk or unsweetened sports drinks. The school district assembled a panel of school officials to come up with a policy and implemented their changes last fall. The bill requires stores to place plastic bag...

In their outlook, USDA says for the remainder of today, a cold front stretching from the lower Great Lakes region to the central Plains will be preceded and accompanied by thunderstorms, while a pesky disturbance over southern Texas will continue to trigger heavy rain. Your Spot for Futures Trading, Commodities Info, Ag News, Successful Farming Tips & More July 09, 2007 Home.News.Weather.Money.Markets.Discussions Login.Register AgWeb RSS Crop Comments. In contrast, a drying trend on the...

Now that the bulk of the work is over, she is allowing business to slowly trickle back in, and she can keep up with the job she has loved for 61 years. Most of the time she has been working out of her daughter's home, and has been excited about moving back to Grove Street, where she has lived 25 years. Because she used the entire amount for the outside of her home, Spencer said she will be applying for a new loan to fix the ceiling. Her residence also serves as a beauty salon, and she has...