Producers must have legally owned the livestock on the day the animal, or animals, died. That would most likely include the loss of hay or pastureland as a result of the drought or from wildfires which raged through parts of the area. Even though the drought has now broken, many livestock producers suffered during the long, dry spell. Meanwhile, the Livestock Indemnity Program is under way to help area ranchers and farmers who lost livestock because of the bitter weather and ice storm last...

It takes the couple two hours to do their shopping, with much of that time devoted to reading and trying to decode the small print on boxes and cans of food. Most residues Fruits: Apples, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries Vegetables: Celery, potatoes, spinach, bell peppers, winter lettuce Least residues Fruits: Kiwi, mango, bananas, papaya, pineapple Vegetables: Asparagus, avocado, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, sweet corn, sweet peas Source:...

The humus, which is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, someday will be spread as fertilizer on Nobis' 3,000 acres of corn, wheat, soybean and alfalfa fields. The agriculture industry says it's a safe and economical way to dispose of dead animals, though some environmentalists question whether it could lead to groundwater and surface water contamination. A growing number of states allow farmers to compost the carcasses of horses, poultry and livestock. Its humus is dark, rich and...

Weaning calves at an earlier age allows the cow to dry off and have lower energy and protein requirements which allows a less expensive ration to be fed. With higher grain prices and lower calf prices, efforts need to be made to minimize costs, and optimize gains both for the mature cow and the weaned calf. Lower quality forages such as mature pasture, poorer quality hay or inclusion of straw as part of the ration is possible when feeding a dry cow in mid-pregnancy. Warm weather, good...

The plants, which would be used as feed for farm animals, could increase omega-3 in human diets without adding to pressure on rapidly declining fish stocks. Genetically modified plants which produce essential omega-3 fish oils could be the only way to ensure people get enough of these nutrients, according to a major EU-funded study. Fatty acids are normally created by marine algae and passed into the human food chain through fish. Long-chain fatty acids called EPA and DHA, found mainly in...

The company also sells livestock feed, pet food and propane. He will help egg producers deal with increased feed costs and other things that squeeze their margins. And within California, West could face a November 2008 ballot initiative that would phase out the small cages used for most of the state's laying hens. Over the next two years, he will work to boost demand for a food that has had an unhealthy image among some consumers. has ravaged poultry flocks in parts of the Eastern...