AgClips
Recent AgClips
American Farm Groups Plead With Trump to Back Off China Trade Conflict
Bloomberg | Posted onApril 5, 2018 in Federal NewsFarm groups pleaded with the Trump administration to back away from a trade conflict with China that will hit hard in states that are key components of the president’s political base and where there are pivotal elections in November.
USDA and SBA Join Forces to Help Businesses in Rural America
USDA | Posted onApril 5, 2018 in Federal NewsUnder the newly-signed MOU, USDA and SBA will enhance collaboration and coordination in areas of mutual interest. Specifically, such collaboration is intended to improve investment opportunities in rural areas, identify ways to increase the benefits of the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017, improve innovation for rural technical assistance providers, and aid rural businesses in providing tools to export products around the world, among other goals.
USDA secretary accused of siding with industry over science in new report
The Guardian | Posted onApril 5, 2018 in Federal NewsDonald Trump’s agriculture secretary, Sonny Perdue, has been criticized for rolling back school nutrition standards, attempting to upend the food stamps program, rejecting World Health Organization guidelines on antibiotics in agriculture and ending a pesticide ban, in a new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) advocacy group. Perdue spent his first year in office “sidelining science and favoring industry”, the report claims, calling for greater congressional scrutiny of the agency.
Opinion: U.S. can’t export its way out of farm crisis
Daily Yonder | Posted onApril 5, 2018 in Agriculture NewsIn general, I find the concept of focusing on exports problematic, particularly as a silver-bullet solution to depressed farm income. Exports are important, but they’re only 20% of the market. That leaves 80% of purchasing power among U. S. consumer. Additionally, nearly 100% of farmers are selling the things they produce in a domestic market. Farmers don’t export; agribusiness companies do the exporting. Export-oriented agriculture does not have the best track record in delivering better incomes for farmers.
USDA: Tariffs proposed by China would hit $16.5B in U.S. ag exports
The Progressive Farmer | Posted onApril 5, 2018 in Agriculture, Federal NewsChinese officials responded quickly Wednesday to the Trump administration's proposed 25% tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese imports by announcing higher tariffs on 106 more U.S. commodities, including soybeans. The new reciprocal tariffs will be on products including soybeans, automobiles and chemical products, worth a total of $50 billion. Soybeans are at the top of the list. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce did not indicate when the tariffs would take effect.
China’s tariffs on U.S. goods could put pressure on Canada’s fruit, wine prices
The Star | Posted onApril 5, 2018 in Food NewsRetaliatory Chinese tariffs introduced this week on U.S. produce risk prompting American fruit growers to flood the Canadian market, causing wholesale prices to fall, says a group representing Ontario apple growers. The Chinese government announced tariffs on Monday ranging between 15 and 25 per cent on 128 items, including fruit, nuts, pork, wine, steel pipe and aluminum scrap in retaliation for an estimated $3 billion in U.S.
Arizona egg bill gets unanimous Senate approval
Watt Ag Net | Posted onApril 5, 2018 in Food, SARL Members and Alumni NewsA bill that would change the amount of time between when an egg is candled and sold, and still be able to be labeled with the AA grade is advancing through the Arizona legislature. Presently, eggs must be sold within 24 days of being laid in order to be called AA eggs. However, under legislation presented by Rep. Jill Norgaard, R-Phoenix, an egg could still carry the AA grade for up to 45 days after it is candled.
Pork industry looks at the cost of losing foreign-born workers
Meatingplace (free registration required) | Posted onApril 5, 2018 in Agriculture NewsA reduction in the foreign-born workforce due to immigration policy changes would lead to decreased agricultural output and a drop in jobs in the sector as farmers abandon labor-intensive operations, according to a study commissioned by the National Pork Producers Council. The loss of foreign-born workers would not be offset by native-born workers and permanent residents, given an already-tight labor market, particularly in rural areas, according to the study by Iowa State University economists using research from USDA’s Economic Research Service.
Human-engineered changes on Mississippi River increased extreme floods
Science Daily | Posted onApril 5, 2018 in NewsA new study has revealed for the first time the last 500-year flood history of the Mississippi River. It shows a dramatic rise in the size and frequency of extreme floods in the past century -- mostly due to projects to straighten, channelize, and bound the river with artificial levees.
Newly discovered hormone helps keep plants from dehydrating
Science Daily | Posted onApril 5, 2018 in NewsResearchers have discovered a small hormone that helps plants retain water when none is available in the soil. The study shows how the peptide CLE25 moves from the roots to the leaves when water is scarce and helps prevent water loss by closing pores in the leaf surface.