Agri-Pulse staff

CME Group Inc., which controls the world’s largest grain market, said in a letter to its customers this week that it will reduce trading hours for its grain and oilseed futures and options contracts.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2013 – The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported today that spot prices for U.S. fuel ethanol were lower throughout most of 2012 compared to 2011.

Senator Mark Pryor, D-Ark., announced Wednesday that he will chair the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2013 - Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., today re-introduced legislation (S. 175) to eliminate a “burdensome, costly and redundant” Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit requirement for applications of pesticides.

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan Garcia today announced that beginning Feb. 5, USDA will issue payments to dairy farmers enrolled in the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program for the September 2012 marketings.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2013 – President Obama signed into law legislation (H.R. 152) late Jan. 29 that provides the Agriculture Department with $230.4 million as part of a larger $50.5 billion disaster assistance package to deal with the impacts of Hurricane Sandy.

Most foodborne illnesses can be attributed to leafy vegetables, while most deaths related to foodborne noroviruses are the result of contaminated poultry, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2013 - United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the United States and Japan have agreed on new terms and conditions which pave the way for expanded exports of U.S. beef and beef products to Japan, effective F

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2013 – Three bipartisan senators, including Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., introduced legislation today to extend agricultural disaster assistance programs through 2013.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2013 – Newly-elected Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., announced today that she has co-sponsored her first two bills in the Senate, one of which is the farm bill.