Univ. Of Illinois: Pork Outlook Looks Up As Corn Prices Go Down

June 30, 2011 University Of Illinois

Pork producers are maintaining the size of the breeding herd in the face of a very uncertain financial outlook. This cautious position would be expected given the wide swings in both hog and feed prices evident this spring. In addition, little change should be expected in the hog herd until the feed supply situation is better known this fall.

AWI Asks Retailers To Consider Animal Welfare In Choosing Meat Suppliers

June 30, 2011 Animal Welfare Institute

The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is encouraging grocery store and restaurant chains to monitor the animal welfare record of their meat suppliers and refuse to deal with any company that repeatedly violates humane standards. In a letter to retailers, AWI president Cathy Liss urged retailers to not do business with companies on AWI's list of repeat offenders of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, the federal law regulating the treatment of animals in slaughterhouses.

Santa Cruz County Flower Crops Saw Value Increase In 2010

A 40 percent jump in the value of field grown flowers offset declines in other crops in the $119 million nursery sector, growing 40 percent to $35 million.

Study Of pH In Anthurium Spathe Provides Clues To Generating Blues

Flower color in plants is determined by pigments such as aurones, anthocyanins, and carotenoids. Research has found that the ultimate color displayed is dependent not only on the pigment present, but also on other factors, including cell shape, presence of metal ions, and pH, among others. Information about the role of pH in creating color has allowed plant geneticists to engineer new hues, adding to the beauty and diversity of ornamental plants.

Teleflora Florists Continue Tradition Of Distributing Flowers & Smiles In Their Communities

June 30, 2011 Teleflora

Teleflora, the world's leading flower wire service, offering only hand-arranged, hand-delivered floral arrangements, announced today its plans for Make Someone Smile®Week, the floral industry's leading benevolent program running from Sunday, July 17 through Saturday, July 23. Thousands of Teleflora member florists and community volunteers are set to deliver flower bouquets in the company's keepsake Be Happy® Mug to those most in need of a smile — such as hospital patients, senior citizens living in nursing homes and assisted living homes, and recipients of Meals-on-Wheels programs.