Internet Links

Understanding the Revised 2003 Illinois Grain Code

http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/legal/sell_grains.html

In the wake of the 2001 Ty-Walk elevator failure, the Illinois Grain Code was revised in 2003 to (a) provide more protection to farmers and lenders if an Illinois-licensed grain dealer or warehouse fails and (b) create new assessments on sellers of grain and some lenders to restore the solvency of the Illinois Grain Insurance Fund. Two new articles, each co-authored by Don Uchtmann and Bryan Endres, describe these changes.

- New Assessments on Farmers and Lender (36K)
http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/legal/pdfs/GA.pdf

- Greater ProtectiontTo Farmers and Lenders If a Grain Elevator Fails (40K)
http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/legal/pdfs/GP.pdf

Mexico: Market Overview

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/
deptdocs.nsf/all/trade7621?opendocument

Mexico is an important market with a population of 100 million people and a growing middle class representing 20 million consumers with increasing disposable. This detailed report discusses potential market impacts.

The Art and Science of Composting

http://www.wisc.edu/cias/pubs/artofcompost.pdf

A complete guide for large-scale composting and what you need to know to implement it on your farm.

USDA Marketing Profiles

www.ams.usda.gov/statesummaries

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently launched a web site that provides marketing profiles for all 50 states. The site includes in-depth statistical information on farms, including size, market value, cropland, livestock inventories and commodities. There are also demographic and food consumption statistics for the major metropolitan areas in each state.

Agriculture Business Strategies: Developing a Promotional Plan

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3443

Marketing your own product can be challenging, this fact sheet gives you some guidelines.

Cover Crops on the Intensive Market Farm

http://www.wisc.edu/cias/pubs/cvrcrop.pdf

This report from the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin is a comprehensive look at the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing cover crops in various cropping systems.

Rural America at a Glance, 2003

http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/rdrr97-1/

Key rural conditions and trends for use by public and private decision makers and others to enhance the economic opportunities and quality of life for rural people and their communities are discussed.

From Supply Push to Demand Pull: Agribusiness Strategies for Today’s Consumers

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Amberwaves/
november03/Features/supplypushdemandpull.htm

Changing U.S. demographics, consumer preferences, along with technological advances and other changes in the economy, offer agribusiness companies new opportunities. Understanding the diverse preferences of consumers and their influence on the supply chain and help identify the potential for new and innovative products.

Size and Distribution of Market Benefits from Adopting Biotech Crops

http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/tb1906/

As extensive look at the benefits to farmers, consumers and industry from adopting Bacillus thuringiensi (Bt) cotton, herbicide-tolerant cotton, and herbicide-tolerant soybeans and other biotechnology methods.

The Agricultural Biotechnology Intellectual Property

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/biotechpatents/

Who owns what? This database describes U.S. patents on biotechnology and other biological processes used in food and agriculture. Changes in patent ownership, acquisitions, spin-offs and similar changes can be tracked.

Bringing Local Food to Local People: A Resource Guide for Farm-to-School and Farm-to-Institution Programs

http://attra.ncat.org/newpubs.html

Many communities are establishing links between farmers, school administrators, and institutional food-service planners to provide locally produced food to school. This “how-to” report provides examples of communities where this is working: resource lists, funding sources and technical assistance sources. There is also a discussion of the 2002 Farm Bill that support farm- to-school and other community food programs.

Flavor, Not Health Claims, Key in Marketing Pasture-Based Cheese, Research Brief #66

http://www.wisc.edu/cias/pubs/briefs/066.html

This research report from the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin looks at reasons consumers are willing to pay more for pasture-based cheese.

What, When, and Where Americans Eat 2003, 08/2003, Institute of Food Technologists

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/
deptdocs.nsf/all/trade7612?opendocument

A detailed look at grocery and retail food dollar sales verses food service revenues and how this impacts consumers and agriculture.