by Associated Press Published: May 17,2013
Tags: agriculture, aquaculture, catfish, farm, farmer, farming, federal agency, federal government, food, food inspection, food safety, foreign fish, import, importer, importing, legislative, legislator, Senator
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) has received word that the U.S. Department of Agriculture could complete a final rule for implementing a catfish inspection program by this October, Cochran reports in a release. Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, USDA undersecretary for food safety, today told Cochran the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) is committed [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: May 15,2013
Tags: agriculture, Congress, farm, Farm Bill, farmer, farming, federal government, federation, senaste, Senator, trade association
JACKSON — The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) leadership is commending U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss) and his staff for their diligent work to reach a solid compromise on a Senate Farm Bill package. Yesterday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry passed a piece of farm legislation that garnered a 15-5 vote. [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: May 13,2013
Tags: agriculture, aquaculture, catfish, commodity, farm, farmer, farming, fish, food, food safety, import, importer, importing, inspection, producer
ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Catfish farmers continue to address production challenges as the industry works to reclaim markets lost to imported fish. Jeremy Robbins, vice president of The Catfish Institute based in Jackson, said farmers have struggled in recent years with high feed prices, their No. 1 expense, while dealing with increased competition from imports. “There [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: May 10,2013
Tags: agriculture, aquaculture, catfish, farm, farmer, farming, federal agency, federal government, food, food inspection, food safety, foreign market, import, importer, importing, secretary, Senator
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) has once again pressed the U.S. secretary of agriculture to explain why a catfish inspection program authorized five years ago has not been implemented. Cochran, who has been fighting to ensure a fair and level playing field for U.S. catfish producers, raised the issue again with Agriculture [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: May 10,2013
Tags: agriculture, bioenergy, biofuel, biotech, energy, farm, Farm Bill, farmer, farming, federal government, food, lawmaker, legislative, REFINERY, Senator
AROUND MISSISSIPPI — A group of Mississippi biotechnology companies and state associations have written Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), urging him to support mandatory funding for renewable energy programs in a new Farm Bill. Elevance Renewable Sciences of Natchez and DuPont Corporation, which has operations in Pass Christian and Pascagoula, sent the letter along with supporters [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: May 6,2013
Tags: agriculture, commodity, farm, farmer, farming, feed, forage, grass, hay, producer, rain, Weather, wet
ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — As pastures transition from cool-season to warm-season grasses, the state’s hay and forage producers hope for sunny days that are better suited to growing and harvesting quality crops. “We’re finishing up with our cool season forages, which are annual ryegrass, wheat and oats with some clovers mixed in,” said Mark Mowdy, an [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: May 3,2013
Tags: agriculture, bank, banker, banking, cooperative, earnings, farm, farmer, farming, finance, financial institution, loan, net income
AUSTIN, Texas — Farm Credit Bank of Texas (FCBT) reports net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, totaled $53.8 million, a 57 percent increase from the same period of 2012. The increase was due largely to a $6.4 million increase in noninterest income, combined with a $13.7 million decrease in provision for loan [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: April 29,2013
Tags: aghriculture, commodity, crop, farm, farmer, farming, plant, planting, rain, row crop, Weather, wet
ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Farmers should be nearly finished planting corn and going strong with soybeans, rice and cotton, but instead Mississippi fields are quiet as rain keeps tractors in the barn. As of late April, the state had gone more than five weeks with only an occasional day or two suitable for planting. Mississippi corn [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: April 23,2013
Tags: agriculture, Chicken, competition, farm, farmer, farming, feed, feed cost, food, input cost, market, overhead, poultry, producer
ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — The impact of last year’s drought on feed costs is not the only challenge poultry growers face in 2013. Production costs, expansion issues, waste regulations, competition from other meat sources and the next grain crop are major factors impacting the poultry industry this year. “Some of the corn produced last year had [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: April 22,2013
Tags: agriculture, commodity, farm, farmer, farming, moisture, rain, row crop, Weather, wetness
ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Springtime’s soggy fields are no guarantee that summer’s row crops will have the moisture they need to thrive until harvest in the fall. Jason Krutz, irrigation specialist with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, said winter and spring rain helps recharge the soil profile, but moisture must be replenished during the [...] [...]