USDA

Farmers looking to USDA to kill cattails in wetlands

Federal wildlife officials are taking applications from farmers who want the government to remove cattail-infested wetlands, the preferred habitat of sunflower-snacking blackbirds.

By By James MacPherson, The Associated Press , January 07, 2009

Hoeven asks USDA to declare disaster

Gov. John Hoeven wants the U.S. agriculture secretary to declare 39 counties in North Dakota as disaster areas. Hoeven made the request on Friday to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer. If Schafer approves the request, some federal assistance would be available for farmers and ranchers affected both by drought and wet weather.

November 29, 2008

USDA projects lower corn, soybean harvests

The Agriculture Department on Monday lowered its forecasts for this year’s U.S. corn and soybean harvests, pushing up the prices of both commodities while knocking down the shares of meat producers.

By Christopher S. Rugaber , November 11, 2008

USDA: North Dakota corn production remains high

North Dakota farmers are expected to produce more bushels of corn than spring wheat for the second straight year, and only the second time in state history.

By By Blake Nicholson, The Associated Press , September 13, 2008

USDA cuts estimates for crops

The Agriculture Department on Friday reduced its forecast for this year’s corn and soybean harvests due to drier weather, potentially leading to higher commodity prices. North Dakota’s projections remained high, however.

By By Christopher S. Rugaber, The Associated Press , September 13, 2008

USDA says corn crop may be second largest in history

After months of rising food prices, there may be some relief coming with farmers on track to produce the second largest corn crop and fourth largest soybean crop in history.

By By Christopher S. Rugaber, The Associated Press , August 13, 2008

Schafer sworn in

As his four children and eight grandchildren looked on, former North Dakota Gov. Edward T. Schafer took the oath to become the 29th secretary of agriculture on Wednesday. Experience and work ethic were key words during both President Bush’s remarks and Schafer’s short speech. Schafer placed his hand on the Bible, open to Jeremiah 29:11, a verse about hopeful planning for the future.

By Jonna Knappenberger, Scripps Howard Foundation Wire , February 07, 2008

Rural Lender Initiative being tested in SBA region including N.D.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s North Dakota District Office has launched an initiative aimed at fostering economic development in North Dakota’s rural areas by making it easier for smaller community banks to use SBA products to finance small businesses.

February 02, 2008

Newly installed Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer, the former governor of North Dakota, indicates he will not fight the Bush administration’s opposition to a permanent fund for weather-related disaster aid, despite the idea’s popularity in his region.

By Mary Clare Jalonick, The Associated Press , January 31, 2008