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| News from Around the Farm World - April 7, 2010 |
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Iowa man dies in March 29 tractor accident
BELLEVUE, Iowa (AP) — A 62-year-old man from eastern Iowa died after authorities say a tractor and manure spreader that he was operating apparently rolled down a hill and overturned, striking him.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said that Wayne Keiffer of rural Bellevue died March 29. Authorities said a co-worker found Keiffer’s body. The co-worker was checking on Keiffer when he didn’t come to work.
Sheriff’s officials say the investigation into the farm accident continues.
Ammonia leak forces Indiana residents to flee homes
TAYLORSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — A dangerous ammonia gas leak led to the evacuation of hundreds of people from their homes in a suburban Indiana town and sent at least three people to hospitals.
Bartholomew County Sheriff Mark Gorbett said the leak early March 30 near Taylorsville was likely caused when three people tried to steal anhydrous ammonia from a farm. He said the suspects likely intended to use it to make methamphetamine.
He said last week that one of the suspects was arrested and that investigators are searching for the other two.
Residents from all or part of three subdivisions were evacuated from their homes for a few hours, and part of highway U.S. Highway 31 was shut down for four hours. Taylorsville is 35 miles south of Indianapolis.
USDA unveils revised TAAF program for fish, commodities
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Julia A. Wickard, executive director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Indiana, announced the USDA has a revised Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers (TAAF) Program. Under this, the USDA provides technical assistance and cash benefits to eligible producers of raw agricultural commodities and fishermen who have been hurt by import competition.
The TAAF program is for producers and fishermen who had greater than a 15 percent decrease in national average price; quantity of production; the value of production; or in cash receipts compared to the average of the three preceding years where it is determined that an increase in imports was a significant factor.
The program will be administered by the FSA; however, USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) will determine if a commodity is eligible for the program. The FAS will review commodity petitions through April 14. This form is available online at www.fas.usda.gov/ itp/taa/taaforms.asp
For more information, visit www.fas.usda.gov/itp/taa or call 202-720-0638 or 202-690-0633, or e-mail tradeadjustment@fas.usda.gov
Elections for Illinois marketing boards upcoming
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Farmers who would like to serve three-year terms on the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board or Illinois Sheep and Wool Marketing Board should gear up for a campaign.
Nominating petitions are available at county extension offices and the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The deadline for petitions is May 15 for the corn and soybean boards and May 31 for the sheep and wool board.
Agriculture Director Tom Jennings said the boards fund checkoff programs that promote use of the state’s commodities. Board members help decide how that’s done.
Elections for all three boards will be July 6. For more information, call the Illinois Department of Agriculture at 217-782-6675 or write to: Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Marketing and Promotion, P.O. Box 19281, State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL 62794-9281.
Tennessee state vet named director of new division
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A veterinarian in the Tennessee Department of Agriculture has been named director of the newly created Division of Animal Welfare in the state Department of Health. Dr. Philip Gordon will oversee enforcement of laws regulating dog and cat breeders.
A state law passed last year requires licenses for individuals owning 20 or more unsterilized cats or dogs for the purpose of selling the offspring. The law also includes requirements for standards of care, conditions, inspections and annual reports by licensees.
Gordon has 35 years of experience as a veterinarian and manager. He has been assistant state veterinarian since 2005 and before that was a vet in Murfreesboro, Pulaski and Madison, Ala. |
| 4/7/2010 |
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