Nonfarm payroll employment continued to decline in June (-467,000),
and the unemployment rate was little changed at 9.5 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.

Job losses were widespread across the major industry sectors, with
large declines occurring in manufacturing, professional and business
services, and construction.

Unemployment (Household Survey Data)

The number of unemployed persons (14.7 million) and the unemployment

Minnesota's sunflower growers have elected a five-member board of directors to oversee their newly established research and promotion council. Like other commodity councils, the Sunflower Research and Promotion Council (R&PC) will work to stimulate the use, sale and consumption of sunflowers and improve methods of production, processing and marketing.

Citing the importance of animal traceability in responding to food safety threats and livestock disease outbreaks, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson and Minnesota State Veterinarian Dr. Bill Hartmann today sent a joint letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to resume the discussion about implementing a national animal identification system.

Minnesota hog producers had an inventory of 7.4 million hogs and pigs on June 1, 2009, down 1 percent from last year but up 1 percent from the March figure, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Minnesota Field Office.

Breeding hogs totaled 580 thousand head, unchanged from a year earlier and market hogs and pigs at 6.82 million head, were down 1
percent from a year ago.

STATE PIG CROP UP 3 PERCENT FROM 2008

Prices received by Minnesota farmers for soybeans for June averaged $11.70 per bushel, an increase of $1.20 from the May price according to the USDA, NASS, Minnesota Field Office.

Corn was up 4 cents to a June price of $3.85 per bushel.

The all hog price for June was $44.00 per cwt., a decrease of $0.90 from the May price.

The all beef cattle price for June was $77.40 per cwt., a decrease
of $2.10 from the May price.

The all milk price for June, at $11.70 per cwt., was down $0.10 from May.

The preliminary U.S. All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by

Warm weather and timely rains promoted crop progress across much of the state, according to the NASS Minnesota Field Office. Crop growth and condition generally improved last week as high heat and humidity marked the first full week of summer. Daytime highs, early in the week, climbed into the mid 80s to low 90s across central and southern
Minnesota. The warm, moist air sparked scattered showers and
thunderstorms. Some stronger storms in the central and south dropped
hail in localized areas. There were 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork
during the week.

The Southwest Initiative Foundation recently launched a new Web site designed to excite, educate and empower southwest Minnesota entrepreneurs. The Center of Rural Entrepreneurship Web site, www.swmncore.com, is a one-stop shop for aspiring, existing and transitional entrepreneurs who are looking to start, expand, improve or transition out of their businesses.

The housing slump appears to be affecting the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area more than other parts of Minnesota,

The Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau recognize 114 Minnesota farms as 2009 Century Farms. Qualifying farms have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years and are 50 acres or more. Century Farm families receive a commemorative sign, as well as a certificate signed by the State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau presidents and Governor Pawlenty. Since the program began in 1976, over 8,700 Minnesota farms have been recognized as Century Farms.

2009 Century Farm families are listed by county, then by the farm’s city, family names and year of original purchase:

Calling the plight of pork producers a financial crisis, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson and Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey sent a joint letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week urging him to use existing federal funds to purchase $50 million of pork products for use in federal food programs.