Census of Ag Released & EPA Pesticide Measures plus Storage Temperatures

Census of Ag Released & EPA Pesticide Measures plus Storage Temperatures. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

Yesterday the EPA announced proposed revisions to the Worker Protection Standard in order to protect the nation's two million farm workers and their families from pesticide exposure. EPA is proposing significant improvements to worker training regarding the safe usage of pesticides, including how to prevent and effectively treat pesticide exposure. Increased training and signage will inform farm workers about the protections they are afforded under the law and will help them protect themselves and their families from pesticide exposure. 

The 2012 Census of Ag was also released yesterday. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack released this statement: "We have slowed significantly the loss of farmland, which has totaled 72 million acres since 1982. New tools provided in the 2014 Farm Bill will help to further slow and reverse this trend. The data confirm that farm income is at a record high. However, the prolonged drought and lack of disaster assistance have made it more difficult for livestock producers and mid-sized farms to survive."

But as to the age of farmers, Vilsack had this.

VILSACK: And what you'll see from this Census is that the average age is in excess of 58 years. It's increased by over a year. In two categories, those under 25 and those under 35 we've seen actually slight increases.

Now, can a one degree difference in temperature help pears slowly ripen while keeping disease away? Rod Bain has more.

(USDA Report)

Thanks Rod. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.