AgClips
Recent AgClips
Trump bailed on a trade deal, and now a bunch of US businesses may suffer
CNBC | Posted onNovember 14, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsAmerican farmers and small business owners are among the U.S. industries that will be worst hit once a new Trans Pacific Partnership deal is implemented, said one expert. Over the weekend, TPP member countries made progress on a deal without Washington.One of the defining actions of President Donald Trump's tenure in the White House so far is his decision to withdraw the U.S. from a 12-nation trade pact that would have had wide-ranging implications for the global economy.Now that deal — the Trans-Pacific Partnership — looks like it's going to be settled without the U.S..
Minnesota Testing Farmer Health-Care Cooperative
DTN | Posted onNovember 14, 2017 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe idea of a farmer health-care cooperative had been kicked around in Minnesota since 2009 but had faced multiple regulatory stumbling blocks. At the end of last year, Minnesota farmers complained to state lawmakers that the insurance exchange was collapsing down to one insurance option across much of the exchange and as many as seven counties in the state were looking at no insurance option. Minnesota lawmakers passed legislation last spring specifically allowing farmers and their employees to form a health-care cooperative.
New Pa. law makes leaving animals in cold felony
WKBN | Posted onNovember 14, 2017 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe new Pennsylvania state law could make pet owners felons if they mistreat or neglect dogs and other pets — that includes leaving them outside in the cold for too long. As it pertains to cold weather, dogs may not spend more than nine hours tethered in a 24-hour period. The maximum time limit dogs can be left outside when temperatures are below freezing is 30 minutes.
Anti-Farmer Legislation Rings Hollow
Farm Policy Facts | Posted onNovember 14, 2017 in Federal NewsThe “Sugar Policy Modernization Act” would prohibit sugar growers from receiving nonrecourse loans available to other crops – loans that are repaid with interest and are the main component of U.S. sugar policy. The bill would also mandate that the USDA keep America’s sugar market flooded with imports to artificially depress prices for multinational food companies.
IPC questions WHO stance on antibiotics
Watt Ag Net | Posted onNovember 14, 2017 in Agriculture, Food NewsThe International Poultry Council (IPC) disagrees with the recently approved World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines that recommend that the meat and poultry industries stop the routine use of antibiotics for growth promotion and disease prevention, the IPC said in a statement.
Advocating the future of agriculture
Farm and Dairy | Posted onNovember 14, 2017 in Agriculture NewsRural areas receive less representation and recognition than densely populated urban and suburban areas. In the House of Representatives, the number of seats assigned to an area is based on population density. Each state is allotted two Senate seats, but senators focus on issues concerning the majority of voters in their district. As a result, issues critical to the future of farming are often overlooked. If farmers want our voice heard, we must be advocates.There are many meaningful ways farmers can advocate the future of agriculture.
Massachusetts dairy farmers seek to double tax credit
edairynews | Posted onNovember 14, 2017 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsBeleaguered dairy farmers could be getting more money from the state to offset losses from souring milk sales.A bipartisan proposal gaining traction on Beacon Hill would double the state’s dairy farm tax credit to $8 million, which supporters say would prevent more farms from going bust. The measure, which was cleared two weeks ago by the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, has support from dozens of lawmakers.“Dairy farms are struggling,” said Rep. Brad Hill, R-Ipswich, who supports expanding the tax credit.
Commentary: How to Win an Argument on Biotechnology
Hoosier Ag Today | Posted onNovember 14, 2017 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsDr. Keven Folta is an international advocate for biotechnology in agriculture. He is a scientist and educator who has been outspoken about the safety and benefits of genetic engineering and, as a result, has become a target for those who oppose this technology. Folta maintains that, for the most part, we, in agriculture, have been going about it all wrong. He notes that most who try to defend biotechnology always lead with the facts and the science. He says most consumers don’t want to hear the facts and don’t trust the science.
Animal rights groups demand action against Iowa fur farm
Des Moines Register | Posted onNovember 14, 2017 in Agriculture, Rural NewsFederal inspectors have repeatedly ordered a southeast Iowa fur farm to improve the grim living conditions for ferrets, foxes, raccoons and skunks it sells to government laboratories and pet stores. So far no charges or enforcement action has been taken against the Ruby Fur Farm near New Sharon, 65 miles southeast of Des Moines.
SARL member, Senator Sheila Harsdorf becomes first woman Secretary of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture
Wisconsin Public Radio | Posted onNovember 14, 2017 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsGov. Scott Walker has appointed Republican state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.The appointment announced Friday makes Harsdorf the first woman to lead the agency. She will replace Ben Brancel, who retired in August.Harsdorf, of River Falls, is resigning her northwestern Wisconsin state Senate seat Friday and beginning the new job Monday. Walker is expected to call a special election to fill her seat for the same date as two others for vacancies in the state Assembly.