AgClips
Recent AgClips
Indiana University To Turn GHG Emissions Into Plant Fertilizer
WBAA | Posted onNovember 15, 2017 in Agriculture, Energy NewsIndiana University wants to improve its sustainability – and it’s turning to a novel way of recycling to do so. The school’s main campus will turn its greenhouse gas emissions into plant fertilizer with the help of a photobioreactor. The machine is made out of PVC pipe and will sit on top of the university’s central heating plant.
Illinois rated second in the country in grid modernization survey
Midwest Energy News | Posted onNovember 15, 2017 in Energy NewsLast week, Illinois was again awarded top marks in a national assessment of how states are modernizing electricity transmission and distribution systems, even as local energy advocates say there is much more work to be done in the state. The Grid Modernization Index ranked Illinois second in the nation overall, after California.
Murphy-Brown loses preliminary round in court
Farm Futures | Posted onNovember 15, 2017 in Agriculture NewsThis Order issued by the District Court is indicative of what can happen to hog producers when the Right To Farm defense is destroyed. On Nov. 8, 2017, North Carolina U.S. District Judge Britt issued an order involving 26 cases regarding Murphy-Brown LLC., a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Inc.
WTO rules against Indonesia on animal product import restrictions
Meatingplace (free registration required) | Posted onNovember 15, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsThe World Trade Organization has confirmed a WTO panel finding that Indonesia’s import restrictions for horticultural products and animals and animal products are against WTO rules. The WTO’s rejection of Indonesia’s appeal of the panel finding marks a “resounding victory for the United States that should result in increased export opportunities for U.S. farmers and ranchers as well as increased Indonesian consumer access to high-quality U.S. agricultural products,” the office of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said.
White House implements new Cuba policy restricting travel and trade
The Washington Post | Posted onNovember 15, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsThe Trump administration announced tight new restrictions Wednesday on American travel and trade with Cuba, implementing policy changes President Trump announced five months ago to reverse Obama administration normalization with the communist-ruled island. Under the new rules, most individual visits to Cuba will no longer be allowed, and U.S. citizens will again have to travel as part of groups licensed by the Treasury Department for specific purposes, accompanied by a group representative.
EPA Air Emissions Reporting Looms for Livestock Operations
Ag Web | Posted onNovember 15, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsBarring a delay from a federal court, between 60,000 and 100,000 livestock and poultry operations will be mandated to file a report regarding on-farm air emissions beginning Wednesday, Nov. 15. The reporting is mandatory for farms that exceed the reporting threshold of 100 pounds total of either ammonia or hydrogen sulfide in any 24-hour period at least once annually. Last week the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Assn. (USPOULTRY) filed a brief in support of the U.S.
Dairy Farmers of America breaks ground on new plant in Kansas
Dairy Farmers of America | Posted onNovember 15, 2017 in Agriculture, Food, Rural NewsDairy Farmers of America (DFA) officially announced plans to build a dairy ingredients plant in Garden City, Kansas. In a ceremony at its 156-acre site in Garden City, representatives from the Cooperative were joined by Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, city and state officials and the area’s dairy farmers to break ground on the facility. The state-of-the-art plant will produce whole, skim and nonfat dry milk powder, as well as cream, and is a partnership between DFA and 12 of its member farms in Southwest Kansas.
Ohio announces chnages to Livestock Care Standards
Ohio Department of Agriculture | Posted onNovember 15, 2017 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) wants to remind producers and livestock owners about upcoming changes to Ohio’s livestock care standards. Effective January 1, 2018, veal calves must be housed in group pens by ten weeks of age. Additionally, whether housed in individual stalls or group pens the calves must be allowed to turn around and cannot be tethered. Also effective January 1, tail docking on dairy cattle can only be performed by a licensed veterinarian and if only medically necessary.
California may reach 50% renewable power goal by 2020 — 10 years early
San Francisco Chronicle | Posted onNovember 14, 2017 in Energy NewsTwo years ago, Gov. Jerry Brown signed an ambitious law ordering California utility companies to get 50 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030.It looks like they may hit that goal a decade ahead of schedule.
Minnesota farm capitalizes on growing demand for local, free-range poultry products
The Country Today | Posted onNovember 14, 2017 in Agriculture, Food NewsThere doesn’t seem to be much of a slow season at Ferndale Market, but there’s most certainly a busy season. As Thanksgiving approaches, the feathers really fly. “It’s our time to make things happen,” said John Peterson, 37, who represents the third generation to raise turkeys his the family’s farm near Cannon Falls, Minn.