http://www.mail.com/organizations/14752-us-department-agriculture.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/organizations/14752-us-department-agriculture.html http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2085456-flamboyant-texas-swindler-billie-sol-estes-dies.html LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Billie Sol Estes' name was synonymous with Texas-sized schemes, greed and corruption. The flamboyant swindler became one of the most notorious men in America in 1962, when he was accused of looting a federal crop subsidy program. But he reigned as the state's king of con men for nearly 50 years, even getting immortalized in songs and... Tue, 14 May 2013 23:41:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2085456-flamboyant-texas-swindler-billie-sol-estes-dies.html 2013-05-14T23:41:50Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2069130-wet-spring-brings-troubling-start-to-corn-planting.html ST. LOUIS (AP) — John Reifsteck looks out at his muddy 1,800-acre central Illinois farm and wonders when he'll get to plant. Like so many other Midwest growers who were praying for rain during the recent drought, he's now pining for enough sunshine and heat to dry out his soggy fields as the deadline approaches for deciding what he can even plant this yea... Tue, 07 May 2013 21:39:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2069130-wet-spring-brings-troubling-start-to-corn-planting.html 2013-05-07T21:39:55Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2066908-cranberry-farmers-struggle-surplus-drops-prices.html MILWAUKEE (AP) — U.S. cranberry farmers who spent millions of dollars to replant and expand bogs face a financial crisis after a huge harvest in Canada flooded the market and sent prices plummeting. Farmers in Wisconsin, the leading cranberry producer, have been working for years to expand their acreage at the request of Ocean Spray and other processors w... Mon, 06 May 2013 21:07:26 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2066908-cranberry-farmers-struggle-surplus-drops-prices.html 2013-05-06T21:07:26Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2038470-lawyer-inspectors-clear-nm-horse-slaughterhouse.html ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — About 5 miles from this southeastern New Mexico town's famed UFO museum, tucked between dairy farms, is a nondescript metal building that could be home to any number of small agricultural businesses. But Valley Meat Co. is no longer just another agricultural business. It's a former cattle slaughterhouse whose kill floor has been redes... Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:12:46 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2038470-lawyer-inspectors-clear-nm-horse-slaughterhouse.html 2013-04-23T20:12:46Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2025002-usda-starts-program-to-track-farm-animals.html MILWAUKEE (AP) — The federal government has launched a new livestock identification program to help agriculture officials to quickly track livestock in cases of disease. It is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's second attempt at implementing such a system, which officials say is critical to maintaining the security of the nation's food supply. An earlie... Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:14:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2025002-usda-starts-program-to-track-farm-animals.html 2013-04-17T07:14:51Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2017918-louisiana-company-recalls-468k-pounds-meat.html NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination. No illnesses have been reported The Manda Packing Company recall announced this past week now includes 468,000 pounds of roast beef, ham, turkey breast, tasso pork, ham shanks... Sat, 13 Apr 2013 20:28:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2017918-louisiana-company-recalls-468k-pounds-meat.html 2013-04-13T20:28:29Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/2016200-organic-apples-pears-to-antibiotic-free.html PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The organic apples you buy in the grocery store will soon be free of a widely used antibiotic. The National Organic Standards Board late Thursday rejected a petition to allow growers to use the antibiotic oxytetracyline beyond the existing expiration date of Oct. 21, 2014. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's labeling standards gener... Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:23:08 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/2016200-organic-apples-pears-to-antibiotic-free.html 2013-04-12T17:23:08Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1987702-okla-governor-signs-horse-slaughter-legislation.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma's 50-year-old ban on horse slaughtering was lifted Friday when the governor signed a new law that will allow facilities to process and export horse meat, despite bitter opposition by animal rights activists. Supporters argue that a horse slaughtering facility in Oklahoma will provide a humane alternative for aging or starving... Sat, 30 Mar 2013 00:29:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1987702-okla-governor-signs-horse-slaughter-legislation.html 2013-03-30T00:29:23Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1979306-usda-expanding-program-to-fight-rural-poverty.html COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A federal program intended to reduce poverty and improve life in rural areas through better access to federal funding is expanding to six states, officials said Tuesday. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack traveled to South Carolina to announce the expansion of the so-called StrikeForce initiative, which already operates in 10 state... Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:34:30 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1979306-usda-expanding-program-to-fight-rural-poverty.html 2013-03-26T17:34:30Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1972688-horse-shooting-highlights-slaughter-debate.html ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An Internet video that shows a meat company employee swearing at animal activists before shooting a horse in the head highlights the increasing emotional intensity of the national debate over whether a New Mexico plant should be allowed to resume domestic horse slaughter. Animal rights groups this week uncovered a video posted by ... Sat, 23 Mar 2013 00:05:28 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1972688-horse-shooting-highlights-slaughter-debate.html 2013-03-23T00:05:28Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1969280-us-mink-pelt-prices-skyrocket-with-demand-china.html SHEBOYGAN FALLS, Wis. (AP) — A decade ago, fur rancher Bob Zimbal had about 34,000 mink at his three southeastern Wisconsin farms. He was in survival mode, struggling to compete with farmers producing cheaper pelts overseas. Then the recession hit and prices tumbled again. But Zimbal came through the hard times and prospered. These days he's got 54,000 br... Thu, 21 Mar 2013 07:19:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1969280-us-mink-pelt-prices-skyrocket-with-demand-china.html 2013-03-21T07:19:10Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1961924-1m-pilot-project-aims-to-take-feral-pigs.html ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Using the cover of darkness, feral pigs have learned to outsmart even the most seasoned hunters as they set about on their nightly terrors, rooting up crops and suburban gardens, harassing native wildlife and turning watering holes into pigsties. The invasive porkers have made themselves at home across more than three quarters of ... Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:58:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1961924-1m-pilot-project-aims-to-take-feral-pigs.html 2013-03-18T18:58:50Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1958048-lawsuit-tests-bloggers-freedom-speech-rights.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A colleague of the late conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart is asking a federal court of appeals to throw out a defamation case brought against him by former government employee Shirley Sherrod, saying the lawsuit violates the blogger's right to freedom of speech. Sherrod was ousted from her job as an Agriculture Department rural devel... Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:06:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1958048-lawsuit-tests-bloggers-freedom-speech-rights.html 2013-03-15T21:06:55Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1951558-usda-suspends-ag-reports-to-budget-cuts.html MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture's statistical arm said it won't issue some agricultural reports this year because of automatic federal budget cuts, alarming some in the dairy industry who fear the information void could wreak havoc with milk prices. The National Agricultural Statistics Service keeps tabs on a wide range of agricult... Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:14:54 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1951558-usda-suspends-ag-reports-to-budget-cuts.html 2013-03-14T01:14:54Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1948464-feds-bust-up-100m-nc-crop-insurance-fraud-ring.html RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Federal investigators have unraveled a massive scheme among dozens of insurance agents, claims adjusters, brokers and farmers in eastern North Carolina to steal at least $100 million from the government-backed program that insures crops. Authorities say the ongoing investigation is already the largest such ring uncovered in the countr... Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:22:18 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1948464-feds-bust-up-100m-nc-crop-insurance-fraud-ring.html 2013-03-12T19:22:18Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1942722-family-woman-killed-lion-was-tragic-accident.html FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Family members of the young woman killed in a lion attack at a Central California animal park say they believe no rules were broken and the volunteer worker's death was a tragic accident. Investigators think the 550-pound male African lion lifted the door of a partially closed feeding cage with its paw and killed 24-year-old Dianna H... Sat, 09 Mar 2013 09:10:01 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1942722-family-woman-killed-lion-was-tragic-accident.html 2013-03-09T09:10:01Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1940284-family-death-woman-lion-cage-was-accident.html FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Relatives of a 24-year-old intern killed by a lion at a California animal park said Friday they believe the facility followed safety protocols and the death was a tragic accident. Investigators believe the 5-year-old male lion lifted the door of a partially closed feeding cage with its paw and killed Dianna Hanson as she cleaned a bi... Sat, 09 Mar 2013 00:54:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1940284-family-death-woman-lion-cage-was-accident.html 2013-03-09T00:54:45Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1937668-lion-killed-intern-was-cleaning-enclosure.html DUNLAP, Calif. (AP) — Authorities said Thursday they believe a lion killed a 24-year-old volunteer at a Central California animal park after it escaped from a feeding cage and attacked her while she was cleaning its larger enclosure area. Fresno County Coroner David Hadden said Dianna Hanson died instantly when the 550-pound lion broke her neck, apparentl... Fri, 08 Mar 2013 03:57:06 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1937668-lion-killed-intern-was-cleaning-enclosure.html 2013-03-08T03:57:06Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1936702-volunteer-killed-lion-calif-animal-park.html DUNLAP, Calif. (AP) — Authorities are trying to determine what provoked a lion at an exotic animal park in Central California to attack and maul to death a 24-year-old woman, who had been on the job as an intern there for just a few weeks. Authorities said the woman was attacked and killed when she entered the male African lion's enclosure at Cat Haven ab... Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:25:54 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1936702-volunteer-killed-lion-calif-animal-park.html 2013-03-07T09:25:54Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1925918-mexico-company-feds-allow-horse-slaughter.html ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Federal officials have indicated they might soon grant the inspection needed to start processing horse meat at a southeastern New Mexico slaughterhouse. But the Obama administration threw a new twist in a more than yearlong debate over how best to humanely deal with a rising number of abused and neglected horses with a statement urging Congress to re... Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:15:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1925918-mexico-company-feds-allow-horse-slaughter.html 2013-03-01T22:15:10Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1922448-iowa-meatpacking-town-fears-impact-federal-cuts.html COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (AP) — Automatic federal budget reductions set to take effect Friday could fall like a meat ax on the small Iowa town of Columbus Junction, where a sprawling Tyson Foods hog processing plant dominates the economy. The White House has warned that 6,300 meat and poultry plants could slow production or temporarily shut down under the ... Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:31:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1922448-iowa-meatpacking-town-fears-impact-federal-cuts.html 2013-02-28T19:31:16Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1822386-usda-offers-loans-to-farmers-who-grow-locals.html MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — With interest in locally grown food soaring, the federal government said Tuesday it has created a small loan program to help community farmers who might not be able to borrow money from banks. Call it seed money. The low-interest "microloans" of up to $35,000 are designed to aid startup costs, bolster existing family-run farms and he... Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:03:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1822386-usda-offers-loans-to-farmers-who-grow-locals.html 2013-01-15T21:03:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1816320-with-almonds-rising-revenues-land-values-soar.html FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Bill Enns, a central California real estate agent specializing in farmland, fields dozens of calls every week from potential buyers. Many want almond, pistachio or walnut orchards — or any land suitable for growing nut trees. This summer in Merced County, Enns brokered the sale of 1,200 acres of open ground lacking a good source of w... Sat, 12 Jan 2013 19:41:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1816320-with-almonds-rising-revenues-land-values-soar.html 2013-01-12T19:41:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1813910-usda-drought-cut-corn-crop-one-fourth.html DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — For farmers like Earl Williams, last year couldn't have started out better or ended much worse as a warm, sunny spring that let him plant early gave way to record heat and drought that devastated his corn. Williams ended up with about two-thirds of the crop he expected, and a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released Friday sh... Fri, 11 Jan 2013 22:05:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1813910-usda-drought-cut-corn-crop-one-fourth.html 2013-01-11T22:05:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1753226-usda-to-allow-meat-grains-school-lunches.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Agriculture Department is responding to criticism over new school lunch rules by allowing more grains and meat in kids' meals. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told members of Congress in a letter Friday that the department will do away with daily and weekly limits of meats and grains. Several lawmakers wrote the department after th... Sat, 08 Dec 2012 22:14:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1753226-usda-to-allow-meat-grains-school-lunches.html 2012-12-08T22:14:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1752770-usda-chief-rural-america-relevant.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has some harsh words for rural America: It's "becoming less and less relevant," he says. A month after an election that Democrats won even as rural parts of the country voted overwhelmingly Republican, the former Democratic governor of Iowa told farm belt leaders this past week that he's frustrated with ... Sat, 08 Dec 2012 14:28:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1752770-usda-chief-rural-america-relevant.html 2012-12-08T14:28:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1747670-gene-altered-mosquitoes-used-vs-dengue.html KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — Mosquito control officials in the Florida Keys are waiting for the federal government to sign off on an experiment that would release hundreds of thousands of genetically modified mosquitoes to reduce the risk of dengue fever in the tourist town of Key West. If approved by the Food and Drug Administration, it would be the first such ... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:58:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1747670-gene-altered-mosquitoes-used-vs-dengue.html 2012-12-06T22:58:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1729236-watchdog-us-explain-probe-halal-company.html IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A national civil rights organization called on U.S. authorities Wednesday to explain their investigation into a leading maker of food for observant Muslims, saying it is troubled by the secrecy surrounding the seizure of the company's bank account and records. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest Muslim ci... Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:23:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1729236-watchdog-us-explain-probe-halal-company.html 2012-11-28T22:23:00Z