Chandigarh, Dec 2: Director General of National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, Anurag Bhatnagar, today called for the need to set up a National Contract Farming Mission, with a target of bringing at least 10 per cent small farmers under contract farming in the 11th Plan. Chandigarh, Dec 2: Director General of National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, Anurag Bhatnagar, today called for the need to set up a National Contract Farming Mission, with a target of bringing at least 10...

AGR-Lite - short for Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite - is a whole-farm revenue plan of insurance providing protection against low revenue due to unavoidable natural disasters and revenue fluctuations, says John Hewlett of the UW College of Agriculture s Cooperative Extension Service (UW CES) AGR-Lite - short for Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite - is a whole-farm revenue plan of insurance providing protection against low revenue due to unavoidable natural disasters and revenue fluctuations, says...

Now, with nearly 75 percent of the crop harvested, producers and Western Sugar managers are uncertain what the rest of the harvest season will hold. Western Sugar is currently purchasing beets in two-week cycles, as long as the weather continues to allow producers to harvest. Cold temperatures and rain/snow during October slowed area farmers' sugar beet harvest, eventually bringing it to a standstill. With warm weather this past week, area beet farmers are going strong again, however...

Federal authorities have ordered a Bay County farmer to pay more than $2 million in damages from false crop insurance claims. Lawson said Bli knowingly submitted false claims for crop insurance indemnities and false certifications of potato production for the crop years in question. The court found that the claims were false because Bli Farms had ''substantial unreported sold potato production'' for the specified years. Bli Farms, Richard Bli and the estate of his brother, James E. Lawson,...

To be a certified organic product, foodstuffs must consist of at least 95 percent of organically produced ingredients, Rodriguez said. Rodriguez said an essential principle of organic farming is sustainability and the idea that it is not just to grow crops, but to protect the environment. More and more farmers are looking to join the organic movement, and it is the fastest growing segment of agriculture, Rodriguez said. That means organic farmers must adopt techniques to maintain soil...

Conference on Trade and Development, which sponsored the three-day meeting, reports world production of ethanol from sugar cane, maize and sugar beet doubled to 40 billion liters in five years. Zambian Minister of Energy Felix Mutati says high fuel prices keep people impoverished, despite debt forgiveness and increases in international development assistance. Experts attending a United Nations conference on bio-fuels say alternative sources of energy could counter the rising price of...

Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Wells Fargo senior agricultural economist Michael Swanson talks about the land-energy-land triangle at his presentation, Take opportunities where you can get them, Friday morning at the fifth annual Farm News Ag Show at Iowa Central Community College. Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Wells Fargo senior agricultural economist Michael Swanson talks about the land-energy-land triangle at his presentation, Take opportunities where you can get them, Friday morning...

NORMAL - In a time when people often are far removed from any type of agricultural phenomenon, the AgMazing exhibit at the Children's Discovery Museum offers an extensive hands-on approach to introduce children to the science and technology involved in farming. NORMAL - In a time when people often are far removed from any type of agricultural phenomenon, the AgMazing exhibit at the Children's Discovery Museum offers an extensive hands-on approach to introduce children to the science and...

He said some farmers carry crop insurance, others do not. The loss could be millions of dollars, although some of it may be covered by crop insurance. In an effort to quickly process frost-damaged beets that got out of the ground, and before they deteriorate beyond salvage, the refineries in Billings and Lovell, Wyo. Heavy rains since mid-September and four nights of temperatures in the teens and single digits have left almost 400,000 tons of beets in jeopardy, Zitterkopf said. Thousands...