Take a look back at some of the top headlines from the previous week.
1. RFD-TV Washington Bureau: Ag Outlook Summary
The Ag Outlook Forum gave the agriculture industry plenty to talk about after it concluded on Feb. 21.
One of the biggest takeaways was the release of preliminary results from the 2012 Ag Census.
“Some of the numbers coming in weren’t too big of a surprise. Some of them maybe a little bit of a surprise,” said RFD-TV Washington Bureau Chief Janet Adkison, giving a summary of the event.
Data from the census showed crop sales were around $212 billion, exceeding livestock sales of just more than $182 billion, Adkison reported.
She also pointed out that the census shows a steady increase in the average age of the principle farmer.
2. EPA proposes new farm safety pesticide rules
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed new safety measure for farm workers who handle pesticides.
The proposal includes more training for workers on the safe usage of pesticides.
“Increased training and signage will inform farm workers about the protections they are afforded under the law and will help them protect themselves and their families from pesticide exposure,” the agency said.
The public input period begins soon.
3. New rules ban junk food ads in schools
The White House and United States Department of Agriculture announced new proposed guidelines for food in the nation’s schools.
One of the new rules would eliminate junk food ads on campus and impose calorie, fat and sugar limits on snacks.
“If you can’t sell it, you really ought not to be able to market it,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.
The USDA is also expanding its school lunch program so that starting this summer, schools with high poverty rates will be able to give free breakfast and lunch to all students.
4. Country singer’s hard work anthem features farmers, ranchers
A new song puts to music the characteristics of hard working farmers and ranchers.
The anthem is by country singer Lyndsey Highlander.
“I’ve had young people that are farmers, older people that are farmers, all tell me that they appreciate and they love it,” said Highlander.
The song also features Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment.
The semi-finals for RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN presented by Polaris Ranger finished last weekend with the top finishers moving on to the final event on Sunday, March 2.
The top five winners from the bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping advanced, along with the top five team roping teams, top 10 barrel racers, and top bull rider.
The final draw order is available online now.
RFD-TV will broadcast THE AMERICAN live with a pre-show special starting at noon EST.
Watch The Market Day Report Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST and The Rural Evening News Monday through Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
