AgClips
Recent AgClips
Labels, restrictions proposed for neonicotinoid pesticides
Capital Press | Posted onMarch 30, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsNeonicotinoid pesticides would be subject to new restrictions and labeling rules under two bills proposed in Oregon. Labels would be required for pesticides containing neonicotinoids, as well as seeds and raw crops treated with the chemicals, under Senate Bill 928. The entire class of neonicotinoid insecticides would be restricted under Senate Bill 929 to only be available to licensed pesticide applicators, farmers and veterinarians. An exemption in SB 929 allows farmers to use the insecticides but doesn’t explain who meets that description.
Minnesota launches new cropland grazing exchange
The Land on Line | Posted onMarch 30, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe Minnesota Department of Agriculture has just launched the Cropland Grazing Exchange. The new online tool seeks to connect crop farmers and livestock farmers to improve soil health. Livestock are an integral part of achieving optimal soil health. They convert forages to more available forms of nutrients and help break up residue material and stimulate soil microbial activity.
Colorado Agriculture Department set to study using industrial hemp in animal feed
The Denver Post | Posted onMarch 30, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsColorado livestock could be eating hemp as early as next year, thanks to a bill directing the Colorado Department of Agriculture to study the use of industrial hemp in animal feed. Mike Sullivan, the owner of Johnstown-based Hemp Farm Colorado, said the inclusion of hemp in animal feed could solve one of the biggest problems hemp farmers face. “One of the real big problems with the hemp industry is there’s hardly any processors out there that are buying materials straight from the farmer. This would be a great leap forward,” he said.
Syngenta updates public on its sustainable farming goals
FG Insight | Posted onMarch 30, 2017 in NewsThe company’s six global commitments, known collectively as the Good Growth Plan, are to make crops more efficient, rescue more farmland from degradation, help biodiversity to flourish, empower smallholders, keep agricultural workers safe and provide fair employment in the sector. They have been designed to line up with the United Nations sustainable development goals. It works with 3,700 farms across the world – 1,000 of which are ‘reference farms’ where Syngenta protocols are in place, and 2,700 of which are ‘benchmark farms’ to use as a comparator.
While Ohio coal employment falls, solar jobs double in Cleveland area
Midwest Energy News | Posted onMarch 30, 2017 in Energy NewsSolar industry jobs doubled in the Cleveland, Ohio area last year, driving about half of the state’s total job growth in the sector, according to new data released today by The Solar Foundation. However, the industry’s future growth in Cuyahoga County and elsewhere in the state could be jeopardized by ongoing uncertainty over Ohio’s renewable portfolio standards. The detailed data are a follow-up to a nationwide report released by the group last month.
Farming becoming riskier under climate change
Science Daily | Posted onMarch 29, 2017 in Agriculture News"Going forward, we're predicting warmer and wetter springs, and drier, hotter summers," Davis says. "The season fragments and we start to see an early-early season, so that March starts looking like a good target for planting in the future. In the past, March has been the bleeding edge; nobody in their right mind would have planted then. But we've already seen the trend for early planting.
Vermont Defies, Counters Trump on Immigration
Valley News | Posted onMarch 29, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsVermont pushed back against President Donald Trump’s immigration orders with a new law on Tuesday that limits police involvement with the federal government and gives the governor the power to sign off on agreements for officers to do federal immigration duties. Republican Gov. Phil Scott called it a response to federal overreach by the Trump administration.Under the law, state and local police officers are prohibited from collecting personal information on residents beyond what’s needed to carry out their law enforcement duties.
For starters, undocumented immigrants cannot take part in the food stamp program
The Huffington Post | Posted onMarch 29, 2017 in Food NewsFood banks across the country have been noticing a trend since President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January.
Policy Shift Helps Coal, but Other Forces May Limit Effect
The New York Times | Posted onMarch 29, 2017 in Energy NewsMany fossil fuel executives are celebrating President Trump’s move to dismantle the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan. But their cheers are muted, because market forces and state initiatives continue to elevate coal’s rivals, especially natural gas and renewable energy. In coal’s favor, there is the new promise that federal lands will be open for leasing, ending an Obama-era moratorium.
Elmhurst dairy swaps cows milk for nuts
Clearlyveg | Posted onMarch 29, 2017 in Food News92-year-old company Elmhurst Dairy has not only closed down its dairy operation, but has opted for a full rebranding in order to focus on plant-based milks. According to Rise of the Vegan, the decision is based on a lack of customer demand, with CEO Henry Schwartz stating that "there isn't much room for our kind of business." As a result, Elmhurst Dairy has now become just Elmhurst and debuted its new line called "Milked" during the Natural Foods Expo West in Anaheim last weekend.