Ag in the News

05/27/2008

National

As farm bill becomes law, COOL concerns continue
With the bulk of the farm bill becoming law last week, mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) will finally become a reality. And among the concerns that the U.S. beef industry has is possible retaliation from Mexico if the new labels dull U.S. taste buds to beef from Mexican cattle. MORE!

Hebrew National teams with grilling expert, plans summer events
ConAgra Foods brand Hebrew National announced it has partnered with grilling expert Elizabeth Karmel to offer tips and prizes throughout the summer. MORE!

Steak-umm sponsors barbecue recipe contest
Steak-umm Co., the maker of Steak-umm Sliced Steaks and Steak-umm Burgers, announced it is hosting a Victory Circle BBQ recipe contest in honor of its NASCAR sponsorship. MORE!

USPOULTRY announces dates for information systems seminar
The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association will hold the 2008 Information Systems Seminar July 28-30 at the Hilton Myrtle Beach in Myrtle Beach, S.C. MORE!

Wrap Up

Prices firm to start week. The short trading week is opening with strength in overnight grain and soil seed trade. Soybeans were up 8 to 21 cents, while wheat added 6 1/4 to 9 cents and corn moved up 1 3/4 to 6 3/4 cents.

Oil prices near $133 per barrel. An attack on oil facilities in Nigeria and weakness in the U.S. dollar has kept crude oil prices around $133 as trade gets underway today.

Still waiting on South Korea. The opening of South Korea's market to U.S. beef is being delayed a few more days as the South Korean government will meet with farmers to hear their concerns. Meanwhile, protests continued over the weekend over the coming reopening of beef trade.

Signup deadline. Livestock producers have until July 18, 2008, to enroll in the 2005 - 2007 Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). Signup began on Sept. 10, 2007, for the programs that provide aid to livestock producers who suffered eligible livestock or livestock feed losses between Jan. 1, 2005, and Dec. 30, 2007, because of a natural disaster.