Case New Holland hiring more than 50 in Fargo
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Case New Holland is hiring more than 50 workers at its Fargo plant, after cutting 260 jobs last year.
Plant Manager Erik Olson said the company is making efforts to rehire employees cut in March and June last year. Case New Holland manufactures agricultural and construction equipment. Officials said the cuts resulted from the weak economy and reduced demand for farm equipment.

EPA allows continued sale, use of Bayer insecticide
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced April 5 that existing stocks of spirotetramat, the active ingredient in Movento, Ultor and Kontos insecticides may continue to be distributed and used within the normal channels of trade.

According to Bayer CropScience, the EPA acknowledged the registrations had been cancelled “because of judicial action related to a procedural failure on the part of the agency,” and not because of any risk concerns associated with the product. EPA also concluded that “spirotetramat has a more favorable risk profile in terms of human health and the environment than the registered alternatives,” stated Bayer.

Furthermore, Bayer said the EPA rejected recent suggestions by the Natural Resources Defense Council that spirotetramat use might pose a threat to honeybees, finding such claims unsupported by scientific data.

KAFC approves more than $500K in loans
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corp. (KAFC), chaired by Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, approved $514,000 in agricultural loans for projects in the Commonwealth during its regular monthly business meeting last week.
KAFC participates with lenders to provide financing to producers making capital expenditures for agricultural projects through the Agricultural Infrastructure Loan Program. Four Agricultural Infrastructure loans were approved for a total of $264,000, and included recipients from Calloway, Marion and Pulaski counties.

The Beginning Farmer Loan Program is designed to assist individuals with some farming experience who desire to develop, expand or buy into a farming operation. Beginning Farmer loans totaled $250,000 and included one recipient from Barren County.
For more information on the programs offered by the KAFC, contact Bill McCloskey, director of financial services, at 502-564-4627 or visit the KAFC Webpage at http://kafc.ky.gov

UoI launches new pesticide training website

URBANA, Ill. — A new online training program for private pesticide applicators has been launched by University of Illinois extension. Private Applicator Training at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/privatepsep was developed by a team of UoI extension specialists.

The site includes eight modules: Understanding Pesticides; Pesticides in the Environment; Integrated Pest Management; Human Pesticide Protection; Labels and Labeling; Equipment & Calibration Part 1; Equipment & Calibration Part 2; and Pesticide Laws and Regulations.

The modules are completed online at the student’s convenience. It is a replacement for the self-study CD and provides a training alternative for those unable to attend clinics. There is a $25 fee to register and take the course, and users will have access to the training materials for one year from the date of purchase, so they can go back and refer to the information.

Outstanding fairs honored at annual convention
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) Commissioner Ken Givens presented awards to 57 of the state’s top county agricultural fairs. They were recognized with the Merit Award for outstanding achievement during the 2009 fair season. 
The top award went to the Dyer County Fair in Dyersburg, named the Champion of Champions Fair for 2009. The Dyer County Fair was also recognized by the TDA and TAF President Bill Phillips, with the “Award of Merit” based on overall operations, educational value and promotion of local interest in agriculture and community spirit.