Farm News, Monday June 6, 2016

Bison Association Announces Training Opportunities for Producers

The National Bison Association wants to educate the industry and farmers on the production of bison. The association is scheduling six Bison Advantage Workshops, specifically targeting agriculture extension agents, vocation agriculture teachers and prospective bison producers. The training comes as the association says wholesale bison meat prices are approaching $4.50 per pound, according to USDA. The strong, stable prices are prompting more ranchers to explore bison production. Three trainings workshops are scheduled for this month in Kansas, South Dakota and Minnesota. The Association will also hold workshops later this summer in Illinois, Indiana and North Dakota. Learn more online at www.bisoncentral.com

Long Fight Ahead on EPA Atrazine Proposal

The Environmental Protection Agency draft risk assessment on atrazine says the herbicide is harmful to animals and plants, despite decades of research suggesting otherwise. Agriculture groups responded to the draft last week, saying the EPA risk assessment is based on misguided science. Politico reports a final ruling could lead to a de facto ban on the use of atrazine by U.S. corn, sorghum and sugarcane growers, but that decision is likely years away. Still, the draft assessment sets up a drawn-out fight over whether research backs up the EPA’s preliminary reports findings that current atrazine levels are harmful to humans and the environment. A comment period on the draft will be open this summer. EPA says the agency plans to convene what will be the 14th Scientific Advisory Panel on atrazine next year, finalizing the report.

World Food Markets Likely to Remain Stable

The United Nations says global food commodity markets are likely to remain stable, even as prices rose for the fourth straight month. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s monthly food price report rose 2.1 percent in May to average 155.8 points. Rising prices for most main food commodities apart from vegetable oils resulted in the index’s fourth consecutive monthly rise after it hit a near seven-year low in January, according to Reuters. The FAO says solid output prospects and abundant stocks should keep prices and supplies stable, while lower prices than those seen last year are set to reduce the world’s food import bill. Meanwhile, dairy prices rose 0.4 percent in May partly due to continued demand for milk powder and butter, but are still down 24 percent since last year and expected to stay weak, according to the monthly index.

Source:  NAFB News