Ag in the News

04/29/2008

National

Premium Standard Farms founder dies unexpectedly
Dennis W. Harms, who founded Premium Standard Farms and spent his career in agribusiness, died from a heart attack during a business trip last week. He was 56. MORE!

Oscar Mayer debuts microwaveable flatbread sandwiches
Expanding the product line that includes Oscar Mayer Deli Creations Sub Sandwiches, the Kraft Foods brand is introducing Oscar Mayer Deli Creations Flatbread Sandwiches. MORE!

Canada helps fund small organic meat plant in Quebec
The Canadian government said it awarded $100,000 in funding to Les Viandes Biologiques de Charlevoix to finance equipment for a new organic meat processing facility in Quebec. MORE!

FSIS posts HIKE scenario on double stunning
USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted on its Web site the first Humane Interactive Knowledge Exchange scenario in three years that is not a draft posted for the purposes of public comment. To read it, click here. MORE!

Papa John's adds six new specialty pizzas to lineup
Louisville, Ky.-based pizza chain Papa John's announced that is has added six new specialty pizzas to its lineup, five of which feature meat as a main topping. MORE!

Wrap Up

Slow going for corn planting. Having only 10% of the corn in the ground when the five-year average is 35% was enough to put some gains up in overnight trade for corn. Futures posted advances of 9 to 10 cents as traders are becoming more concerned about the late pace of planting.

Farm bill session set for today. Monday's session of the House-Senate farm bill conference committee was postponed early Monday and is now on the schedule for this afternoon. Lawmakers continue to work toward a deal on the bill, with now some focus starting to come on whether or not the Bush White House will sign or vet any bill that emerges from Congress.

Food crisis task force. The UN will set up a special task force on the food crisis, as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the host of issues causing the situation need to be addressed. And the panel will first address what is expected to be a shortfall of $755 million by the World Food Program. Countries have already pledged $475 million, but expectations are more will be needed.

Argentine situation. Several farmer group leaders in Argentina say farmers may not restart their strike May 2. For that to happen, the Argentine government would have to show willingness to negotiate soy export taxes. So far, no talks between the two sides have taken place this week according to Argentine media reports.