The National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) Board of Directors supported a resolution today urging Congress to pass a Farm Bill in 2012, one that contains an improved safety net for farmers in the form of the Dairy Security Act. The resolution, passed unanimously by the NMPF Board at its spring meeting, made it clear that the organization does not support any approach in Congress that would extend current farm programs by another year and delay the creation of a better dairy program.

Excellent-quality hay has a high nutritive value and animal intake. Hay quality can differ widely within a single species grown in the same location due to management. The nutritive value of the final product depends on many factors in the hay production system, such as maturity, curing and storage.

Members of a Missouri National Guard Agribusiness Development Team have received a sendoff from Gov. Jay Nixon as they prepare for deployment to Afghanistan. Maj. Gen. Stephen Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, joined the governor for a ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert is being urged to veto a bill prohibiting filming on farms, ranches and dairies. Mercy for Animals executive director Nathan Runkle says Friday the prohibition protects agricultural operations that mistreat animals and discourages employees from getting evidence of illegal activities.

PepsiCo and a leading German dairy company announced they will open their first U.S. yogurt-producing facility at a business park in Batavia, New York. The joint venture, called "Project Wave," is the latest announcement in what has become a burgeoning yogurt industry in New York.

Six members of the Colorado congressional delegation are calling on leaders of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees to pass a farm bill this year. Members of the delegation say the bill is needed to provide more certainty to farmers, ranchers and rural communities across Colorado.

Anyone with a Twitter account can now be among the first to know about food recalls with a new service the Department of Agriculture is rolling out. The USDA says state-specific food safety alerts for meat, poultry, and processed egg products are included as well as information on how to protect food during severe weather events.

Filming on farms, ranches and dairies could be prohibited in Utah despite concerns that animal abuse will go unreported. Republican Sen. Dave Hinkins of Orangeville says the purpose of House Bill 187 is to prevent animal-rights activists from taking pictures or video to use as propaganda.

As farmers across the county mark National Agriculture Day, the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council is sharing new data on the importance of agriculture to Minnesota. The industry group recently released some highlights of a study it conducted with the University of Minnesota that follows up on a similar survey in 2003.