Agribusiness

VeraSun asking farmers for repayment of funds

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Farmers who sold corn to bankrupt ethanol producer VeraSun Energy Corp. have been receiving letters asking for repayment of funds due to “bankruptcy preference.”

Minnesota couple to sue over tainted eggs

MINNEAPOLIS — A southern Minnesota couple has notified a pair of Iowa egg companies at the center of a salmonella outbreak and massive egg recall that they intend to sue.

Federal agents descend on egg farms for 2nd time

WASHINGTON — Federal agents have descended for a second time on Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms, the two Iowa farms at the center of a salmonella outbreak and massive egg recall.

Farmers markets accept SNAP benefits in pilot program

BISMARCK – Nine North Dakota farmers market vendors are taking part in a pilot program to let Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients use their benefits to buy locally grown produce.

ND Ag Dept program verifies age, source of beef

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota’s Agriculture Department is offering ranchers a voluntary registry they can use to prove the age and birthplace of their livestock.

Rodents, other violations found at 2 egg farms

WASHINGTON — Food and Drug Administration investigators have found rodents, seeping manure and even maggots at the Iowa egg farms believed to be responsible for as many as 1,500 cases of salmonella poisoning.

Technologies rise to meet threats

BROOKINGS, S.D. — Syngenta is getting set to roll out its Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack for corn in 2011 — the latest of one company’s offerings in the competition between technology and crop pests.

88 percent of U.S. farms considered small family farms

WILLMAR — Despite the fact that large-scale farming operations now produce the bulk of our nation’s agricultural products, a recent study found that a vast majority of the farms in the United States are owned by what the U.S. Department of Agriculture defines as small family farming operations.

Circle K Feed and Grain becomes Dakotaland Feeds, LLC

Dakotaland Feeds, LLC. based in Huron S.D. purchased Circle K Feed and Grain Inc. located in Glen Ullin on Aug.19 for an undisclosed amount. The facility is a feed manufacturing facility and grain elevator.

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Are the eggs sold at my supermarket safe to eat?

Two large Iowa farms have recalled 550 million eggs because of possible contamination with salmonella. Investigators from the Food and Drug Administration are trying to find the cause of the outbreak, but so far haven’t pinpointed the source.

ND shipping hub using intermodal containers

MINOT, N.D. — Officials on Monday launched an intermodal facility at Minot.

Ousted worker Sherrod rejects return to USDA

WASHINGTON — Shirley Sherrod, the Agriculture Department official ousted during a racial firestorm last month, declined Tuesday to return to the agency, though she said it was tempting.

Elisabeth Hagen tapped as new USDA food safety boss

WASHINGTON — President Obama on Aug. 19 appointed Dr. Elisabeth Hagen as Agriculture undersecretary for food safety on a recess basis rather than wait for the Senate to confirm her.

Traders caught between demand bull, bearish supply ideas

Normally, soybeans would be more prone to put in a bottom in August on a decline from June. This year is different. A low was put in during June to July and a counterseasonal rally has occurred. It has been the consistent demand by China and other world buyers (mostly China) that has floored soybeans.