BY FRED GRAY, NEWS-REVIEW STAFF WRITER EAST JORDAN - Greg Niewendorp of East Jordan, like growing numbers of small farmers across Northern Michigan and the rest of the nation, is challenging state and federal agencies and the big downstate cattle industry to back off their Big Brother policies and allow farmers like him to carry on with their way of life. BY FRED GRAY, NEWS-REVIEW STAFF WRITER EAST JORDAN - Greg Niewendorp of East Jordan, like growing numbers of small farmers across...

If one uses Splenda instead of sugar, our best assumption at this time is that the texture- and color-preserving aspects of sugar syrup won t be there. The USDA fruit canning directions do allow for water canning, as there is adequate preservation for safety from the heat and not sugar. In other cases, where sugar is important, like some preserves or pickled fruits, it is not recommended that substitution of Splenda be used for sugar if the product is to be canned for shelf stability....

But two other crops, switchgrass and hybrid poplar, could steal the show in the future when it comes to curbing greenhouse gases, according to Agricultural Research Service and collaborating scientists. John Thune has his way, there will be incentives for farmers to produce switchgrass, fast-growing trees and other cellulosic crops and to deliver them to an emerging network of cellulosic ethanol plants. While virtually every bioenergy specialist readily concedes the vast potential for...

Print Story Email to Friend Discuss this story HARRISBURG Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff reminds Pennsylvania farmers of two upcoming crop insurance deadlines July 16 for acreage reports for 2007 spring crops; and July 31 for 2008 fall forage seeding enrollment. Print Story Email to Friend Discuss this story HARRISBURG Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff reminds Pennsylvania farmers of two upcoming crop insurance deadlines July 16 for acreage reports for 2007 spring crops; and July 31...

The first surprise came with the increase in feed grain acreage and a bigger drop in soybean, cotton and spring wheat acres than what had been expected. This year, farmers have boosted corn plantings by an incredible 15 million acres, but that has come at a cost for users of other crops. More corn acreage next year will not be easy to pull out of these crops, and current $6 wheat futures will keep corn from pulling acres out of soft wheat in the eastern Corn Belt and along the eastern edge...