Agriculture News
Obama signs water bill with caution on drought provisions
Agri-Pulse | Posted on December 20, 2016President Obama signed into law a water projects authorization bill and issued a statement cautioning agency managers to heed endangered species requirements before increasing irrigation water supplies in California's drought-stricken Central Valley. Critics of the drought relief, led by retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said the provisions would divert more water to California farmers than should be permitted by biological opinions that enforce the endangered species protections and protect Pacific salmon fisheries. Obama's signing statement sought to address that concern by saying he interprets the legislation to require “continued application and implementation of the Endangered Species Act, consistent with the close and cooperative work of federal agencies with the State of California to assure that state water quality standards are met.
Stormier times for California's water expected under new law
SCPR.org | Posted on December 20, 2016Legislation signed by President Barack Obama dictates that the federal portion of California's heavily engineered water systems gives agricultural districts and other human users the biggest possible share of the most fought-over resource in a state with a six-year drought. Water experts and conservationists expect that new mandate to conflict with state and federal laws and court orders meant to ensure enough water stays in Northern California's Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and delta for endangered native fish. Dueling interpretations over what the new law means for water deliveries could foster tensions between the state and the incoming Trump administration and worsen the water wars among farmers, fishing industries and conservation interests. "There's going to be fighting, and it is going to commence almost immediately," said Peter Moyle, a professor emeritus of biology at the University of California, Davis.
Survey shows producer support for GMO crops
Agri-Pulse | Posted on December 20, 2016Genetically modified crops may not be popular among certain aspects of the population, but those responsible for their growth see the technology as an essential tool. A survey of 282 U.S. farmers shows 98 percent of them think GMO seeds - typically bred to be resistant to things like certain crop protection chemicals - are the best way to lessen their environmental footprint, and 69 percent believe the technology leads to higher yields. Some other findings from the survey:87 percent of producers said GMO seeds allow them to reduce their pesticide and herbicide usage; 64 percent said GMO seeds allow for efficient management of resources, specifically, fuel, time and less wear-and-tear on their equipment; 78 percent foresee increased environmental impacts-including an increase in water usage and application of pesticides-if GMO seeds were not to be available to them as a choice in crop production; 92 percent of those surveyed have been using GMO seeds for 10 or more years, and grow a variety of crops, including corn, soybeans, alfalfa, wheat and cotton.
Colorado agriculture plummets
Durango Herald | Posted on December 20, 2016Income declines to level not seen since 1986. Statewide income from farms and ranches is projected to fall to $444 million in 2016 from about $1.3 billion in 2015. The fall can be largely attributed to the decline in cattle prices because the industry accounts for the largest portion of the state’s agriculture economy, said Stephen Koontz, a professor at Colorado State University. He expects prices for cattle will not level off until 2018, and producers will likely not see the gains that the Trans-Pacific Partnership could have fueled because President-elect Donald Trump does not support it.
Panel Hears Glyphosate Testimony
DTN | Posted on December 20, 2016The consensus is the herbicide glyphosate is unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans, based on the scientific data collected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and presented to a scientific advisory panel, or SAP, studying cancer links to glyphosate this week in Arlington, Virginia. During the first two days of meetings, EPA officials laid out the scientific basis for the agency's decision to the panel of doctors and other scientists. One of the most significant developments with the SAP came on Wednesday, as witnesses called into question the research by scientist Christopher Portier, a name that has been central to the debate as to whether glyphosate is carcinogenic.In July 2015, Portier, one of the co-authors of the International Agency for Research on Cancer report on glyphosate, said in a scientific briefing in London he was convinced glyphosate causes genetic damage that leads to cancer in humans. Many scientists and glyphosate supporters quickly called into question Portier's cancer research for that IARC report.Witnesses testified this week that Portier admitted some of his research on a glyphosate connection to tumor development was done incorrectly. Witnesses said the methods Portier used tend to exaggerate the significance of rare tumors by as many as 10 times.Portier has said there were issues with his own conclusions, in a written response to a critique of his work by Dr. Robert E. Tarone, biostatistics director at the International Epidemiology Institute. The meeting materials can be accessed at the EPA website.
Idaho Buying Trout Farm in Water Battle
Capital Press | Posted on December 20, 2016Officials of Idaho Ground Water Appropriators Inc. say they have a contract to purchase the Rangen trout farm in Hagerman. The purchase would put to rest a long-running water battle with Rangen while providing groundwater irrigators a pathway toward resolving other water conflicts in the valley. IGWA attorney T.J. Budge said the sale hasn’t closed, as the parties are still “working through the due diligence.” The purchase price is confidential, Budge said. The property includes about 60 acres, three homes, raceways, a fish hatch house and greenhouse and a research building.
Ohio’s 4R water quality certification expands
Farm and Dairy | Posted on December 20, 2016The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program has expanded its voluntary program statewide in Ohio. Effective Jan. 1, all Ohio-based agricultural retailers and nutrient service providers will be able to participate in the water quality effort. The program is based on the 4R framework, using the right fertilizer source at the right rate, the right time and in the right place.
Animal Rights Activists Bully Veterinarians
Pork Network | Posted on December 20, 2016If an organization truly cared about the health and welfare of animals, one would imagine they would be pretty big supporters of veterinarians, right? After all, veterinarians dedicate eight years of their lives (and a whole lot of money) to learning how to keep our livestock and pets healthy. The Veterinarian’s Oath states, “I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare,” and “the prevention and relief of animal suffering.” Sounds like a concept any animal lover could get behind. That’s why I was surprised to read a few days ago that the American Veterinary Medical Association is launching a new hotline and reputation management service to help veterinarians combat “cyber-bullying” (being targeted on social media and websites with false information, fake reviews, etc.). It turns out that one impetus for this new service was a stunt pulled by animal rights activists in 2015.During the summer of 2015, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation was running its annual “America’s Favorite Veterinarian” contest, meant to be a positive celebration of the people who care for our animals. Unfortunately, animal rights activists “hijacked” the contest and launched what the AVMF called “a vicious cyber-bullying attack” against the 20 finalists for the award.One veterinarian was called “a whore, a butcher, a mutilator, a hack, an animal hater, a disgrace to the profession.” As the chair of the AVMF board was quoted as saying, “apparently, many of the so-called animal activists have no problem practicing cruelty to human beings.”
Negative Cash Flows for One-Fifth of Livestock Farmers
Creighton University Economic Outlook | Posted on December 15, 2016The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index remained weak with a reading again below growth neutral for the 15th straight month, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. Overall: The index, which ranges between 0 and 100 rose to 36.6 from October’s 31.8. Farm commodity prices continue to slam Rural Mainstreet economies. Over the past 12 months, livestock commodity prices have tumbled by 27.2 percent and grain commodity prices have slumped by 16.6 percent. The economic fallout from this price weakness continues to push growth into negative territory for seven of 10 states in the region. On average, bankers expect one of five livestock producers, or 20.7 percent, to experience 2016 cash ex-penses greater than cash revenues. This is approximately the share of grain farmers with expected negative cash flows for the year.
Aid approved for Canada ranchers in bovine TB outbreak
Meatingplace (registration required) | Posted on December 15, 2016Ranchers in Alberta and Saskatchewan can apply to access $16.7 million in financial assistance as they cope with an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis that is forcing the slaughter of an estimated 10,000 cattle, Canada’s agriculture minister announced. An estimated 10,000 cattle are scheduled to be slaughtered across 40 ranching operations placed under quarantine