Chesapeake Bay Day: Coordinating Research to Improve Farm Practices, Bay Health
by Don Comis

U.S. Department of Agriculture officials signed an agreement in Maryland today to enhance research coordination to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States.

Clean Water Amendment Expands Federal Reach
by American Farm Bureau

A push to expand the landmark Clean Water Act would lead to more confusion, rather than cleaner, safer water, according to one farmer on Capitol Hill late yesterday.

Comments Sought on Pesticide Review Process
by EPA

To ensure that pesticide registrations continue to meet current health and safety standards, EPA is seeking public comment on a proposed approach to review each existing pesticide registration every 15 years. This new registration review program, mandated by the Food Quality Protection Act, will begin in 2006 and make sure that, as the ability to assess risk evolves and as policies and practices change, "older" pesticides will still meet the statutory standard of no unreasonable adverse effects.

Committee Examines Renewable Fuels Standard Looks at the Role of Agriculture in Biofuels Production
by House Committee on Agriculture

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Bob Goodlatte chaired a hearing today to review agriculture’s role in a renewable fuels standard (RFS). The Chairman’s hearing was particularly timely as House and Senate conferees met to iron out differences in the energy bills passed in those chambers earlier this year. The House energy bill includes a five billion gallon RFS while the Senate has an eight billion gallon RFS in its version.

Committee Finds U.S. Poultry Safe
by House Agriculture Committee

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Bob Goodlatte today chaired a hearing to review issues related to the prevention, detection, and eradication of avian influenza (AI). The purpose of the hearing was to look at the animal health aspects of AI and educate Members about the current preventative measures employed by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. poultry industry.

Congress Overrides Farm Bill Veto
by U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture

This afternoon [June 18,2008], the U.S. House of Representatives voted to override President Bush’s second veto of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act with a bipartisan vote of 317-109.

Conner Announces $34.6 Million in Rural Technology Development Funds for Rural America
by USDA

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner today announced the approval of $34.6 million in USDA Rural Development funds to support the development and expansion of rural telecommunication technologies in targeted rural areas in the states of Alabama, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire and Virginia.

Control Measures Begun for Giant Salvinia in Leaf River
by Kenneth Calcote

Giant salvinia, Salvinia molesta, is a floating aquatic fern on the federal noxious weed list and Mississippi’s noxious weed list. Giant salvinia is native to South America and has been found in South Carolina, Texas, California, Arizona, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and more recently, Mississippi.

Corn and Soybean Exports Expected to Decline
by University of Illinois UC

Early USDA forecasts for the 2008-09 corn and soybean marketing year project substantial declines in U.S. exports.

Corn Protein Polymers Inspire Diverse New Uses
by Jan Suszkiw

Zein, a major corn protein, is primarily used in specialty coatings.