Salem-News.com Agriculture articles Page 30

Serious Scab Problems in Southern Wheat States

Fusarium Head Blight was “very prevalent” in wheat fields viewed by Virginia Tech extension plant pathologist Erik Stromberg, who said this is likely to be the worst it has been in 15 years.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - By the time the calendar flipped from May to June, Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) infection levels had reached very worrisome levels in several southern soft winter wheat states, according to university small grain specialists.

Commonly referred to as “scab,” the disease, caused by the fungus Fusarium graminearum, can produce significant yield losses, as well as serious grain quality issues due to the presence of the mycotoxin known as “DON” (deoxynivalenol).

Organizers Say This Year`s Oregon State Fair is BIGGER Than Ever

The 2009 Fair will be an 11-day birthday party as Oregon celebrates 150 years of statehood. With 185 acres of fairgrounds, an expected attendance of 385,000, and with over 9,000 things to do, see and taste, that’s a BIG party.

(SALEM, Ore.) - June 4, 2009– Once again, the 2009 Oregon State Fair will be too BIG to miss! On the heels of last year’s Fair – which boasted an attendance of 365,000 people – and with a number of fun new events to celebrate Oregon’s 150th birthday, organizers are expecting a BIGGER turn-out in 2009.

Stop Genocide Now Writes Open Letter to Obama to Help End Bloodshed in Chad

"Last weekend you upheld your promise to Michele to take her to dinner and Broadway performance in New York. What about your promise to the Darfuri people?" -Alysha Atma, Stop Genocide Now

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The group Stop Genocide Now reports that one of the refugee camps in Chad has been bombed.

"Not only is Al-bashir embolden enough to starve his own people by expelling the aid organizations he is now bombing them, AGAIN," they report. The group's Alysha Atma has drafted an open letter to President Obama seeking help for the people there.

Rural Communities Get Real Boost From Feds

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announced $60 Million for Rural Community Facilities Projects. Local Communities will Purchase More than 120 Fire, Police, and Rescue Vehicles.

(LUDOWICI, Ga.) - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of more than $60 million in essential community facilities and emergency responder projects that are being funded immediately with federal funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The 280 projects will help communities in 39 states.

Farmers Ending Hunger on Track to Donate Two Million Pounds of Food; More Help Critically Needed

Farmers Ending Hunger is an organization dedicated to generating more high quality food for the Oregon Food Bank Network through a partnership of farmers, food processors and the public.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Farmers Ending Hunger, an organization of growers, ranchers and committed people dedicated to ending hunger in Oregon, announces it is on track to donate two million pounds of food to the Oregon Food Bank in 2009 thanks to commitments from the wheat and livestock sectors.

Two million pounds of food is equivalent to 40,000 emergency food boxes weighing approximately 50 lbs. each. Each box is enough to feed a family of 4 for 3-5 days.

Court Overrules Oregon County’s Anti-Immigrant Law

St. Helens is featured in this week's issue of Time magazine. It says in 2008, state legislatures passed more than 200 immigration-related laws, mostly to prompt undocumented workers to give up and move back to their home countries.

(ST. HELENS, Ore.) - A controversial ballot measure that passed in Columbia County last fall won't become law after all.

This week, Circuit Court Judge Ted Grove ruled the plan to slap employers with mandatory $10,000 fines for hiring undocumented workers oversteps the county's authority because immigration enforcement is a federal issue.

Oregon Bills Would Snuff Out Field Burning

The hearings for two bills that would eliminate field burning are scheduled for this week.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A prior state legislator says he is concerned over two bills that would put a halt to field burning in Oregon

Women’s Conference Leaves Liberians Out in the Cold

It seems the slum-dwelling women of Monrovia will have little to celebrate on International Women’s Day today.

(MONROVIA, Liberia) - Slums were bulldozed for an international conference on women in the Liberian capital Monrovia.

Hundreds were told to move out of their homes of over 30 years with only minutes to remove their belongings before bulldozers flattened them.

Senate Approves Legislation to Step Up Food Safety Enforcement

SB 188 Increases Penalties Department of Agriculture can impose against violators.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Legislation that will give additional tools to the Oregon’s Department of Agriculture’s ability to enforce high standards for food safety won approval from the Oregon Senate today.

Currently, the Department can only impose criminal charges for violations, the maximum fine being $200. SB 188 will allow the Department to issue civil penalties up to $10,000.

Overall Agricultural Sales Increased in 2008 Although 16 Counties Show Decline

Agriculture still a big player in all 36 Oregon counties.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Marion County remains the runaway leader, two eastern Oregon counties have cracked the top three, and more than half of Oregon's 36 counties have reported an increase in agricultural sales in 2008 according to statistics released by Oregon State University this month.

Many counties reported dramatic growth last year buoyed by high prices and good yields.