Purdue Study: Crude Oil, Weak Dollar, World Population, Rising Consumption Trends Behind High Food Prices 7/23/2008 High oil prices spurring biofuels growth, a weak dollar and growing world population and rising consumption trends have combined as the driving force behind sharply higher commodity and food prices, according to an analysis by Purdue University agricultural economists and commissioned by the Farm Foundation. USDA Awards $6.9 Million for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects Funding 7/22/08 Funding will help rural farmers and business owners save energy and improve operations. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced that 27 individuals and businesses in seven states have been selected to receive $6.9 million in loans and grants for renewable energy systems or to increase energy efficiency in farm and business operations. EU Raises Offer on Farm Tariffs as WTO Talks Begin 7/22/08 GENEVA (AP) -- Facing the possibility of another trade talks collapse, the European Union said Monday it would be willing to slash its farm tariffs by an average of 60 percent as part of a new global commerce pact -- a deeper cut than it has ever offered. Congress Investigating Speculation 7/22/08 Last week the Senate began discussing a bill on the speculation of futures markets. The bill would place more regulations on energy futures trading and would differentiate between trades by producers and buyers of physical commodities and those of speculators such as investment banks. National Weather 7/23/08 Corn, Soybeans Improve Slightly...Again 7/21/08 At first glance, it almost looks like simply like a reprint from the last few weeks. But, the numbers are changing, and so are crop conditions, according to Monday's USDA-NASS Crop Progress report.