AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURE
Crop producers canupdate pesticide license
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Deerfield Farm Service Inc. will be providing area crop producers with an opportunity to update their pesticide applicator's licenses.
The session is planned for Dec. 16 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Deerfield Crop Center.
Topics for the programs will include: choosing the right strategy for controlling corn rootworm; what happens to pesticides in the environment; herbicide timing options for corn weed control; and preparation for a pesticide accident.
In addition, producers are encouraged to bring problem weeds or other pest related problems along for discussion.
The program has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for two credits of core and two credits of agronomic category toward updating an applicator's license.
To register for the sessions, contact Deerfield Farms at (800) 358-9200.
NATION
Bankruptcy judge blockscreditors from seizing jets
CHICAGO -- A federal bankruptcy court judge has blocked a group of creditors from repossessing up to 14 airplanes from United Airlines, saving the bankrupt carrier tens of millions of dollars.
Judge Eugene Wedoff issued a temporary restraining order Friday barring the group, represented by the Chicago-based law firm Chapman and Cutler LLP, from seizing up to eight Boeing 767s and six 737s.
The group of financiers, which controls about one-third of United's fleet, had threatened to seize the planes as early as Dec. 1 because of an impasse over their leases.
United, the nation's No. 2 airline, is seeking to lower aircraft operating costs by renegotiating its leases with creditors. However, it argued that the Chapman group was violating antitrust laws by renegotiating as a bloc instead of as individual leaseholders, forcing United to accept higher lease rates.
"We believe the court rightly prevented this attempt to pressure United into accepting above-market rates for our aircraft leases," said Jean Medina, spokeswoman for the airline.
A message left Saturday for attorneys representing members of the Chapman group was not immediately returned.
The Chapman group is the only group of creditors that has threatened to seize aircraft, Medina said.
United, which has cut $5 billion from annual expenditures since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2002, has said it needs $2 billion more to emerge from bankruptcy.
FINANCIAL
Treasury yields creep up
WASHINGTON -- Treasury yields crept higher last week with continued signs of economic strengthening.
An improving job market, rising consumer sentiment and booming home sales added to the reasons many traders expect the Federal Reserve to raise its key short-term interest rate at its next policy meeting on Dec. 14.
The Fed appears very likely to raise the rate for the fifth time this year, to 2.25 percent from 2 percent.
This week, financial market participants will be listening closely as several Fed officials deliver remarks on the economy. Traders also will be eager to see the Fed's latest survey of regional economic conditions, known as the Beige Book. Another important sign of the economy's vigor will be the Labor Department's November job market report, to be released Friday.
Monday, Treasury will sell $19 billion in three-month bills and $17 billion in six-month bills, which yielded 2.2 percent and 2.44 percent, respectively, in when-issued trading Friday.
Vindicator staff/wire reports