NBC/Universal's general counsel Rick Cotton must just be trying to push his anti-piracy comments to absurd levels to see just how much he can get away with. Of course, knowing how the entertainment industry works, next thing you know, they'll be demanding a cut of the profits corn farmers make, since, after all they're "profiting off the backs of the movie industry" without paying the industry for the benefit. Of course, knowing how the entertainment industry works, next thing you know,...

Australia Wheat Production To Double On Year In 2007/08-ABARE (RTTNews) - Showing signs of a recovery from the drought impacts, the Australian wheat production is expected to more than double over the previous season, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics - ABARE said Tuesday. Australia Wheat Production To Double On Year In 2007/08-ABARE (RTTNews) - Showing signs of a recovery from the drought impacts, the Australian wheat production is expected to more than double...

Historically, indigenous cultures throughout the northern hemisphere have utilized the bark of birch trees to build canoes, houses, baskets, shoes and other things. For the indigenous Scandinavians, birch was also used for these purposes, though strips of bark were typically woven, rather than sewn into useful objects. The weekend of June 30 through July 1, will include displays and demonstrations of birch bark art by area masters. Birch yields bark for useful, decorative items. The bark...

At the end of the WWII, American farmers, now wise-again in the ways of hemp cultivation were eager to maintain this crop. Though industrial hemp contains too low a level of the active psychedelic component, THC (tetrahydro cannabinol) to interest the underground drug market, the DEA has not changed its mind. In 1942 the US found itself cut off from Russia, our dependable supplier of hemp, a product needed for ropes and hawsers to secure ships at the wharves, tie down cargo and supply...

Wet weather, diseases and harvest delays boosted the market initially, and drier harvest weather took the edge off toward the end of the week. Please keep in mind that this past week s selling was also former bulls exiting the July contract ahead of first notice day, and the key USDA reports scheduled for this Friday. Unexpected rains in parts of the ECB, along with a tropical storm heading into the Gulf combined to improve potential rainfall. Intraday indicators were already oversold...

Leaders of the cotton and rice producer groups have balked at stricter payment limitations, calling them an attack on their way of life because the cost of production per acre is higher for their crops. Also, as the person who often tries to bring state and national Farm Bureau members together, he knows there are big regional differences in perspective. BROOKLYN -- Craig Lang is acutely aware of the challenges facing farmers as they begin talking about the next farm bill. As farmers, we...