Dairy farmer leaders representing six northeastern states voted last week to approve the 2017 budget and program proposals for New England Dairy Promotion Board (NEDPB) and New England Dairy & Food Council(NEDFC). The action to approve the $5.5 million budget came at the annual meeting of the two companies that develop and carry out promotion, education and research programs in New England on behalf of dairy farmers.  Dairy farmers also heard from Carolyn Gibbs, CFO and Executive Vice President of Finance at Dairy Management Inc. [node:read-more:link]

On November 15, 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a new Policy Statement on marketing claims for over the counter (OTC) homeopathic drugs. The Policy Statement is here and the press release and accompanying report are available here and here. The Policy Statement signals the end of the FTC’s decades-long approach of rarely challenging misleading claims for products that were or claimed to be homeopathic. [node:read-more:link]

According to the latest survey of agricultural bankers in the Eighth Federal Reserve District, a solid majority reported that farm income declined in the third quarter of 2016 relative to a year ago. Consistent with previous surveys, proportionately more bankers continue to report that falling farm income is pressuring farmers to trim their household expenditures and farming- and ranching-related capital outlays. [node:read-more:link]

An Oregon livestock producer must pay $13,700 to the Oregon Department of Agriculture for filing a “frivolous” lawsuit against the agency, a federal judge has ruled. U.S. Magistrate Judge John Acosta found that ODA is entitled to collect attorney fees from William Holdner, a rancher in Columbia County who filed a complaint claiming he’s not subject to state water quality regulations. Before his problems with water quality regulations began, Holdner raised about 500 cow-calf pairs on his property. Holdner was repeatedly cited by ODA for pollution violations on his property. [node:read-more:link]

If a fruit or vegetable isn’t grown in dirt, can it be organic? That is the question roiling the world of organic farming, and the answer could redefine what it means to farm organically.  At issue is whether produce that relies solely on irrigation to deliver nutrients to plants — through what is known as hydroponic and aquaponic systems — can be certified organic. And the National Organic Standards Board, an advisory group that makes recommendations to the federal secretary of agriculture, will get an earful on the topic at its meeting in St. Louis this week. [node:read-more:link]

Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co. are expecting to get formal objections to their $60 billion merger from European Union regulators as soon as next month, listing potential antitrust concerns with their bid to form the world’s biggest chemical company, according to two people familiar with the investigation. The European Commission in Brussels is poised to send the complaint to the companies in December, according to people who asked not to be named because the process is confidential. [node:read-more:link]

When a recent gathering of Southern Illinois farmers revealed that 7 out of 10 of them had serious concerns about the viability of their farming operation over the next three years, one might think they were being overly dramatic.  But late last week, three of the Federal Reserve Banks that serve the Corn Belt confirmed the seriousness of the financial struggle farmers are having. [node:read-more:link]

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists (CBPAS) working at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) discovered multiple egg masses and pests inside a commercial shipment of fresh Brazilian papayas. [node:read-more:link]

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has revoked the license of a financially troubled Ford County grain dealer. The license belonging to SGI Agri-Marketing LLC, a specialty grain dealer in Gibson City, was revoked Wednesday following an administrative hearing to address the suspension of the facility’s license after the Illinois Department of Agriculture discovered deficiencies in the company’s financial statements.  The company has been ordered to cease and desist doing further business. [node:read-more:link]

At retirement communities from California to Florida, golf carts have become a way of life. They’re energy-efficient, cheaper to buy and maintain than regular cars, and, seniors say, fun to drive. For many, they’re the main way to get from doctor’s appointments and dance classes to restaurants and shopping centers. But as the bare-bones buggies move from the back nine to the blacktop, safety experts and advocates for seniors say they’re worried about them sharing the road with larger, faster cars and trucks. [node:read-more:link]