Agribusiness Update for Wednesday 1/8/14

As Congressional appropriators put the final touches on spending bills for the remainder of the 2014 fiscal year - the Secretaries of Agriculture, Defense and Energy are asking Congress to authorize the Energy Department to contribute a portion of funds to the Defense Department for the development of advanced biofuels. In a letter to Senate Appropriations Chair Barbara Mikulski, key leaders support for the Defense Production Act biofuels efforts.

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service is conducting the national Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey. Farmers, ranchers and horticulture producers across the country will receive a survey in the mail that asks for information about their water use and irrigation practices. Responses are due by February 10th.

The Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has verified that the Cattlemen's Beef Board is operating within the provisions of the Beef Promotion and Research Act and Order and in line with all applicable Federal laws, regulations and policies. USDA requires that AMS conduct management reviews of all commodity boards every three years.

That's today's Agribusiness Update from the Ag Information Network.