INDUSTRY NEWS

The National Farm-City Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing links between farm families and urban residents, has launched a Facebook page supporting the mission of the organization. The Facebook page provides information and visuals from local Farm-City organizations and allows them to share these activities with other local units and urban viewers.

William S. Fuller, Jr., president and CEO of Fuller Supply Company, announced at Fuller's Annual Banquet that AgriLabs, Inc. was the livestock distributor's choice as “Vendor of the Year.”

In recognition of superior service and unmatched sales support, Fuller presented the award to AgriLabs Territory Manager Dana Ankerstar (photo) and stated, "In handing you this award, it must be understood that the decision to name AgriLabs as our ‘Vendor of the Year’ was not just mine, but is an honor voted on by all Fuller Sales and Management.”

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Americans are paying more for food and gas, a trend that could slow economic growth in the months ahead.

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.5 percent in March, the Labor Department said Friday. That matched February's increase, the largest since the recession ended in June 2009. In the past 12 months, the index has increased 2.7 percent, the biggest rise since December 2009.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Taco Bell declared victory Tuesday after an Alabama-based law firm dropped its class-action lawsuit that raised a beef with the meat filling served in the fast-food chain's tacos and burritos.

From May 1 through May 15, the Beef Checkoff is partnering with Nash Finch for the Grocery Wholesaler Beef Roundup promotion. Nash Finch’s 47 corporate stores in eight states – Econofoods, Sunmart, Family Fresh Market, and Pick n’ Save – will be launching the checkoff’s Slice-n-Save program as part of the promotion. The merchandising program will feature three sub-primal Angus Pride cuts:  boneless beef ribeye, boneless beef top loin strip, and boneless beef top sirloin. Also as part of the promotion, cattle farmers from Iowa will be featured on posters, recipe brochures, and slice-n-save on-pack labels.

A potentially burdensome new recordkeeping requirement facing farmers, ranchers and other small business owners was repealed last week when President Obama signed legislation H.R. 4, which ends the “1099 requirement” included in the federal health-reform package.