Soybeans

November 09, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver issued a proclamation suspending the hours of service requirement for truck drivers delivering propane. The suspension of the rule will help bring propane into the state quicker, helping to ensure an adequate supply of fuel for farmers drying their crops after this year’s harvest.

“Iowa’s farmers are the best in the world,” said Governor Culver. “This proclamation will assist corn and soybean growers get these important commodities to market as quickly as possible.”    » read more »

July 1, 2009 -- FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple today announced that three local companies are parties to major contracts to supply 2009 food-grade soybeans to South Korean soy food importers.

The purchase agreements call for SB&B Foods of Casselton, Brushvale Seed of Wahpeton-Breckenridge, SunOpta of Moorhead and Wisconsin-based DeLong Company to export about 275,000 bushels of identity preserved soybeans to members of the Korean Federation of Soybean-Curd Industry Cooperatives (KFSCIC). The federation represents 12 Korean tofu-processing cooperatives. The sales are valued at about $5 million.    » read more »

April 08, 2008 -- EVANSVILLE – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced $4 million for the construction of the first soybean crushing facility in the state that will create the soybean oil that will eventually become biodiesel. Landmark Services Cooperative, a farmer-owned cooperative, was awarded the grant to build a plant with the capacity to process 20 million bushels of soybeans annually.

Biodiesel banner: Photo by Steve Rhodes (CC)    » read more »

24 January 2008 -- The Brazilian government says deforestation of the Amazon surged during the last five months of 2007.

The report, issued Wednesday, says that between August and December of last year more than 3,000 square kilometers of the world's largest rain forest were cleared. Environment ministry officials say that number may be higher after they analyze satellite images with a higher resolution.

Brazil's environment minister, Marina Silva, and other ministers are meeting with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Thursday to discuss how to curb deforestation.    » read more »

November 13, 2007 -- JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt announced today Kip Cullers of Joplin broke the world record for soybean production, yielding 154.7 bushels per acre. His outstanding record yield comes after he broke the previous world record last year with 139 bushels per acre.    » read more »

August 27, 2007 -- Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo filed comments today asking the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. to reject a proposed consent decree that would approve Monsanto Company’s acquisition of Delta & Pine Land Company.

General Stumbo noted in the filing that this acquisition will “eliminate competition in agriculture biotechnology and seeds, stifle innovation and product choice, and result in higher prices to U.S. farmers and consumers.”    » read more »