Resources

University of Illinois Variety Testing: Corn Soybean, Sorghum, and Forage
http://www.cropsci.uiuc.edu/vt/index.html
During late November, the variety results for corn and soybeans from the 2001 research variety plots will be posted on the Variety Research web page. One of the most important production decisions facing farmers each year is which variety or hybrid to grow on their farm. The variety testing program in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois provides fast, accurate, and unbiased performance data on a large number of varieties and hybrids to address this very important production decision. Call your Extension office to receive a copy.

BioTerrorism
http://aenews.wsu.edu
Agrichemical & Environmental News, November Issue, 2001, Washington State University
Articles include:

1. Terrorists at the Table, Part I: FDA Looks at Food Bioterrorism
   
2. Terrorists at the Table, Part II: Developing an Anti-Terrorism Plan
   
3. Terrorism on the Hoof: Livestock as a Bioterrorism Target
   
4. The "New" Bioterrorism: A Public Health Perspective
   
5. Pesticides as Weapons: Agrichemical Industry's Role in Anti-terrorism
   
6. Crop Duster Concerns: NW Aerial Applicators Respond to FBI/FAA
   

Major Uses of Land in the United States, 1997 (SB973)
http://www.ers.usda.gov
USDA’s Economic Research Service
As the latest in the Major Land Use series, which started in 1945, this report summarizes cropland, forest, pasture and range, and miscellaneous and special uses such as urban and parkland. The annual cropland portion of the series has been consistently maintained since 1910. You can obtain printed copies of order number ERS-SB-973 from the USDA, 1-800-999-6779.

Development at the Urban Fringe and Beyond: Impacts on Agriculture and Rural Land
Ralph E. Heimlich and William D. Anderson, ERS Agricultural Economic Report No. 803. 88 pp., June 2001

Land development in the United States is following two routes: expansion of urban areas and large-lot development (greater than one acre per house) in rural areas. Urban expansion claimed more than one million acres per year between 1960 and 1990, yet is not seen as a threat to most farming, although it may reduce production of some high-value or specialty crops. The consequences of continued large-lot development may be less sanguine, since it consumes much more land per unit of housing than the typical suburb. Controlling growth and planning for it are the domains of state and local governments. The Federal Government may be able to help them in such areas as building capacity to plan and control growth, providing financial incentives for channeling growth in desirable directions, or coordinating local, regional, and state efforts. To download a copy, go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aer803/. To order: call the USDA Order Desk at 1-800-999-6779 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Et) or by mail at USDA Order Desk, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161.