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U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) recently reintroduced a bill to assist agricultural producers after adverse weather events. The Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to improve the accuracy of the U.S. Drought Monitor, which factors into disaster programs. “South Dakota…

By Cami Koons Iowa farmers and institutions lost an estimated $11.3 million in federal funding to support the purchase of locally raised foods, following the recent termination of two U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.  The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship notified partners Monday afternoon that agreements made under…

Federal court rulings in California and Maryland have ordered multiple government agencies to reinstate probationary employees who they say were unlawfully terminated under directives from the Office of Personnel Management. U.S. District Judge William Alsup of California found that the firings violated legal protections, while U.S. District Judge James Bredar…

Today, May corn closed down 6¾¢ at $4.58½ per bushel. From last Friday’s close, the contract ended the week down 10¾¢. This was the fourth consecutive week-over-week lower close for the contract. May soybeans ended the day up 5¼¢ at $10.16 per bushel. From last Friday’s close, the contract was…

The Los Angeles Times has reported a potentially troubling genetic mutation in dairy cows infected with H5N1 bird flu in San Bernardino County, but federal agencies have yet to confirm the findings. The mutation, known as PB2 E627K, has previously been linked to increased mammal-to-mammal transmission and higher disease severity,…