AgClips
Recent AgClips
Destructive weed threatens U.S. corn fields
Reuters | Posted onApril 10, 2017 in Federal NewsA U.S. government program designed to convert farmland to wildlife habitat has triggered the spread of a fast-growing weed that threatens to strangle crops in America's rural heartland.The weed is hard to kill and, if left unchecked, destroys as much as 91 percent of corn on infested land, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It is spreading across Iowa, which accounts for nearly a fifth of U.S.
Why one Smiths Falls farmer is giving away his land
CBC.ca | Posted onApril 10, 2017 in Agriculture NewsIf you love animals, are prepared to work hard and long for the bucolic lifestyle, Stephen Overbury has a proposition for you.
Farms could slash pesticide use without losses, research reveals
The Guardian | Posted onApril 7, 2017 in Agriculture NewsVirtually all farms could significantly cut their pesticide use while still producing as much food, according to a major new study. The research also shows chemical treatments could be cut without affecting farm profits on over three-quarters of farms. The new research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Plants, analysed the pesticide use, productivity and profitability of almost 1,000 farms of all types across France.
Dairy workers call on Ben and Jerry’s to give them better hours and fair wages
Think Progress | Posted onApril 6, 2017 in Agriculture NewsDairy workers are using an annual ice cream giveaway day by Ben and Jerry’s to bring awareness to the long, hard hours and low wages that many in the industry face.
Water quality bill stays alive in Iowa Senate, but some lawmakers have reservations
Des Moines Register | Posted onApril 6, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsLegislation aimed at improving Iowa's water quality remained alive in the Iowa Senate Wednesday, despite serious reservations by some lawmakers who are unhappy with the measure's funding plans.Senate File 482, which has been proposed by Gov. Terry Branstad, mirrors legislation considered in the House last year.
Bill to curb invasion of 'super weed' on Iowa farms gets state Senate OK
Des Moines Register | Posted onApril 6, 2017 in Agriculture NewsPalmer amaranth, a so-called "super weed" from southern states that has been invading Iowa farmland, would be declared a noxious weed and eradication efforts would be authorized under a bill approved Wednesday by the Iowa Senate. House File 410, which was managed by Republican Sen. Dan Zumbach, a grain farmer from Ryan in northeast Iowa, passed on a 50-0 vote.
U.S., EU clear Chinese takeover of Syngenta
Capital Press | Posted onApril 6, 2017 in Agriculture NewsU.S. and European regulators have cleared a Chinese conglomerate’s proposed $43 billion acquisition of Swiss agribusiness giant Syngenta on condition it sells some businesses to satisfy anti-monopoly objections. The Federal Trade Commission’s announcement comes alongside the approval by European regulators of the purchase by state-owned ChemChina.
Bill would roll back Tennessee's factory farm regulations
The Tennessean | Posted onApril 6, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsMost of Tennessee’s factory farms would no longer need state permits that regulate animal waste disposal, under the terms of a bill before the state legislature. If it passes, only animal farms that actually pollute groundwater or waterways would be subject to oversight. The debate pits the multibillion-dollar agricultural industry against environmentalists and state water quality regulators. Farmers say the current permit process is too time consuming and expensive, while conservationists and state officials warn of uncontrolled pollution by farmers who don’t follow industry standards.
$5.6 million for Oregon farm-to-school funding passes key committee
Capital Press | Posted onApril 6, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsCommittee’s chairman Brian Clem noted that existing farm-to-school funding would be eliminated under the 2017-2019 budget recommended by Gov. Kate Brown and halved under the proposal by the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. A bill directing $5.6 million to Oregon’s farm-to-school food program has won unanimous approval from the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Farmers score win with chlorpyrifos decision
Farm Futures | Posted onApril 6, 2017 in Agriculture NewsEPA and its experts used epidemiological data. USDA claimed EPA’s studies were federally funded and the data should be made available. At the time USDA commented EPA had not nor would not release the data. Several pages of the USDA January 5, 2016, comments obliterate EPA’s science arguments. USDA outlines for EPA what a valuable tool chlorpyrifos is for farmers and the loss of the product would have major negative impacts on our production capacity and the economic stability of farms. Not an issue EPA concerns itself with. Several crops were highlighted.