Agribusiness Update 11/14/13

National Farmers Union has released curriculum that will help students separate fact from fiction when it comes to renewable energy. The NFU-developed curriculum is free to organizations, schools, institutions and businesses whose focus is to build cultural awareness and acceptance of renewable fuels. Lessons are available for students in high school - as well as for college and adult students.

A review contrasting the nutritional characteristics of grass-fed and grain-finished beef shows that grass feeding lowers total fat in a beef carcass - but also reduces the level of monounsaturated fatty acids considered beneficial to heart health. In fact - the report said grass-fed cattle produce beef with 30 to 70-percent less monounsaturated fatty acids than grain-finished cattle.

USDA Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O'Brien says providing safe, reliable housing to rural residents is key to maintaining stable communities and creating jobs - which is why USDA has developed strategic partnerships to improve living conditions for thousands of rural residents. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Tuesday recipients in 45 states, the Western Pacific and Puerto Rico will receive grants.

That's today's Agribusiness Update from the Ag Information Network.