Farm Bureau welcomes agriculture committee appointments

The appointment of three additional Californians to the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture will benefit the state’s farmers and ranchers, according to the California Farm Bureau Federation. The committee announced that Reps. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, John Garamendi, D-Fairfield, and Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, would become new members, joining Rep.

Dr. Hugo Medina passes away

Dr. Hugo Medina passed away on Sunday 25th November from complications following throat cancer. Hugo obtained his veterinary qualification from the National University of Mexico and earned an MS degree from the University of Minnesota. He was a Diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians. Hugo was active in all aspects of poultry medicine serving on committees of the AAAP and the Board of the ACPV.

Will corn and soybean prices return to pre-drought levels?

March 2013 corn futures dropped below $5.50 in early May 2012 and were drifting lower when U.S. drought conditions turned prices higher starting in mid-June.  The price of that contract peaked in early August, just short of the $8.50 mark.  March 2013 soybean futures dropped below $11.50 in December 2011before South American drought conditions and then U.S. drought conditions sent that contract above $17.25 by mid-September 2012.

USDA announces turkey products purchase

Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Edward Avalos has announced USDA’s intent to purchase up to $35 million of turkey products for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks. The turkey industry consists of vertically integrated companies that produce, process, and market turkeys and turkey products.

Valadao gets plum assignment

Congressman-elect David Valadao will be seated in January on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, marking the latest milestone in his rapid rise to political prominence. "It gives me a lot of opportunities to make a difference for my constituents," said Valadao.

High food inflation consequence of drought

Food inflation in most categories significantly outpaced the overall Consumer Price Index of 2.2 percent reported in November, the US Department of Agriculture said in its Nov. 23 Economic Research […]