Cornell University unveils new Biofuels Research Laboratory

ITHACA, N.Y. - Cornell University took a big step to the forefront of the search for alternative fuel Tuesday. Leaders and professors from the school cut the ribbon on the new $6 million Biofuels Research Laboratory. The lab will be used to study and research ways to convert sugars from grasses and wood into fuel.

"This is a tremendous day, first of all, for the students of the university now and in the future who are going to get to learn about this very important part of engineering and chemistry right in this building," said Cornell University President David Skorton.

Unlike current alternative fuel methods, like corn ethanol, the students and professors at the university will find ways to create the fuel from nonfood crops.

"I'm convinced that this is going to be a leading part of the economy for the U.S. and for the world as we move away from petroleum," said Jeremy Luterbacher, a graduate student at the school.

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Cornell University unveils new Biofuels Research Laboratory

Statement from The Nature Conservancy on the Discovery of the Emerald Ash Borer in New York

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis last week announced the discovery of an emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation in Randolph, Cattaraugus County, New York.

The Nature Conservancy released the following statement from Troy Weldy, director of ecological management:

"The emerald ash borer will have significant economic and environmental impacts, the likes of which western New York hasn't seen since the chestnut blight or Dutch elm disease. This pest damages and can kill the ash trees it infects. With more than half a billion ash trees in New York, these species are highly important to the natural landscape.

This discovery emphasizes the need to establish a national early detection network around major ports of entry so we can intercept these pests before they become established. The better we are at finding these pests before they become well-established, the greater success we will have at limiting their destruction.

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Statement from The Nature Conservancy on the Discovery of the Emerald Ash Borer in New York

Agriculture official: Dairy farms 'in a crisis'

UTICA, N.Y. - The 228 dairy farms in Oneida County are facing a $30 million shortfall this year due to low milk prices and high operating expenses, according to a report Wednesday night from county Farm Bureau President Ben Simons to the county Board of Legislators.

Corn, hay and vegetable farmers are doing all right, but not the dairy farmers, Simons said.

"The dairy farmers in Oneida County are in a crisis," he said.

Milk prices, which are federally controlled, are at the same rate as in the 1970s - something that doesn't line up with the cost of producing the milk in 2009, Simons said.

"It isn't working, guys," he said.

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Agriculture official: Dairy farms 'in a crisis'

Hearing on Farm Bill Implementation Held by House Ag Subcommittee

Groups say it's time to implement Farm Bill.

On Wednesday the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held the first of two hearings this week to review implementation of the Farm Bill.
 
"For me, the Farm Bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress works on because every man, woman, and child has a vested interested in agriculture," said Chairman Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa. "The programs in the 2008 Farm Bill ensure our farmers have a strong safety net they can rely on, thus guaranteeing the United States has the safest, most plentiful, and affordable food supply in the world. While there have been some bumps along the way to implement the programs, producers are eager to have the rules and regulations finalized so they can continue providing the world with an adequate and affordable food supply."
 
Representatives for the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Farmers Union all testified before the subcommittee Wednesday. Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman told lawmakers it's time to implement the bill and outlined several components of the bill that need quick action including disaster assistance, payment eligibility and the collaboration between the IRS and USDA. He said the farm bill touches the lives of every U.S. producer and their best interests are of paramount importance during the implementation process.

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Hearing on Farm Bill Implementation Held by House Ag Subcommittee