Late corn and soybean development cause for extra worry later on in the growing season. (Gary Crawford and Brad Rippey, USDA meteorologist)

Groundbreaking research into ag nutrient runoff and how such can be reduced or limited has led to the nomination of a USDA scientist for a prestigious federal honor. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and Mark Williams

Brad Rippey, USDA meteorologist, with first look at cotton condition ratings.

Brad Rippey, USDA meteorologist, with a look at the condition ratings for the rice crop.

Brad Rippey, USDA meteorologist, with a first look at the condition of the peanut crop.

Brad Rippey, USDA meteorologist, with a look at sugarbeet planting progress.

A new USDA program will help non-profit lenders to finance small meat and poultry processing projects. (Gary Crawford. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. and Dr. Karama Neal, Director of USDA's Rural Business Cooperative Services)

Dr. Karama Neal, Director of USDA's Rural Business Cooperative Services, giving two web addresses to get more information about USDA programs to encourage small and local meat and poultry processing capacity.

There's a new program for lenders, or potential lenders, who want to know more about the in's and out's of financing meat and poultry processing projects. (Gary Crawford and Dr. Karama Neal, with USDA's Rural Business Cooperative Services)

Doing things "halfway" can often cause problems later on, especially in the case of having a holiday weekend cookout. (Gary Crawford and Meredith Carothers, with the USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline) ****Broadcasters: The USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline number is 888-MPHOTLINE(888-674-6854) Listeners...