AgClips
Recent AgClips
The curious politics of the proposed USDA relocation
The Progressive Farmer | Posted onJanuary 23, 2019 in Federal NewsUSDA inserted a somewhat unusual notice in the Federal Register. This USDA notice was just three pages long and it was written in everyday English. Although it was proposing to take a radical step -- moving the Economic Research Service and the National Institute on Food and Agriculture out of Washington, D.C. -- it made scant effort to justify the move.
Bipartisan resistance to ERS, NIFA moves emerges in competing bills to end shutdown
Politico | Posted onJanuary 23, 2019 in Federal NewsHouse Democrats and Senate Republicans remain bitterly divided over President Donald Trump's call for border-wall funding, but they appear to be on the same page about delaying USDA's controversial proposal to relocate a pair of research agencies outside of the Washington area.
The drug epidemic that began with a corporate marketing plan
Daily Yonder | Posted onJanuary 23, 2019 in Rural NewsBeth Macy’s book about the opioid crisis in southwest Virginia contains plenty of tragedy — families decimated, lives lost or ruined, proud communities brought to their knees. The biggest tragedy of all, of course, is that the story could have turned out differently.In the earliest days of the crisis, prophetic voices in rural Virginia sounded the alarm. The pharmaceutical manufacturer whose criminal marketing practices helped launch the epidemic didn’t listen.
What will California's new animal housing law do to veal?
Meating Place (free registration required) | Posted onJanuary 23, 2019 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe future availability and price for veal in the state of California is cloudy following the passage of a law mandating space requirements for raising food animals, according to the American Veal Association (AVA).The organization is warning that the passage of Proposition 12 in California last year will force farmers in the Golden State to raise about 66 calves in a barn that was designed to hold 200 calves because of the act’s space requirements. Starting Jan.
Greenland ice melting four times faster than in 2003
Science Daily | Posted onJanuary 23, 2019 in Energy NewsGreenland is melting faster than scientists previously thought -- and will likely lead to faster sea level rise -- thanks to the continued, accelerating warming of the Earth's atmosphere, a new study has found.
AFIA refutes study calling for reduction in meat, dairy consumption
World Grain | Posted onJanuary 23, 2019 in Agriculture NewsA new study calling for drastic reductions in meat and dairy products and for policy measures to disincentivize production of these food products is wrong and an attack on animal agriculture, said the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA). “Let’s call the EAT-Lancet Commission’s report what it is — yet another organized attack on animal agriculture that is not reflective of the current and accurate science on the industry’s substantial sustainability advances,” said Joel Newman, president and chief executive officer of the AFIA.
Judge 'increasingly doubtful' of feds' lawsuit against West Virginia hemp farm
The Charleston Gazette-Mail | Posted onJanuary 23, 2019 in Agriculture NewsA federal judge voiced doubt this week over the U.S. government’s civil prosecution of a Mason County hemp farm and related parties.U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers lifted a stay in the case caused by the partial federal government shutdown and dissolved an injunction that prevented the farmers from transporting or selling their hemp.But after U.S.
Ag Lending Variables and Farmland Values
Farm Policy News | Posted onJanuary 23, 2019 in Agriculture News“Rounding out a year characterized by lower farm incomes, uncertainties about agricultural trade and the growth of lending volumes, interest rates on agricultural loans trended higher. The mounting combination of higher leverage and rising rates could put additional pressure on some farm operations.” Today’s update looks at the Kansas City Fed update in more detail with a particular focus on agricultural lending variables and farmland values.“Non-real estate lending continued to increase in the fourth quarter, according to the National Survey of Terms of Lending to Farmers.
Fescue, Florence and a Fresh Start
Hay & Forage | Posted onJanuary 23, 2019 in Rural News“We knew we were in trouble. There was nothing to feed the cows.” That was how cattleman Buron Lanier, Burgaw, N.C., described his feelings after the floodwaters of Hurricane Florence, which were 5-feet deep over a significant chunk of his acreage, receded from his farm last September. “After three days of pounding by Florence, we had 130 acres of totally submerged pastureland,” Lanier said. “When the storm hit, much of our fescue was being prepared for winter stockpiling.
California:Healthy Kid’s Meal Drinks Is Now State Law
Get Healthy | Posted onJanuary 23, 2019 in Food, SARL Members and Alumni NewsGovernor Brown signed SB 1192, which is the California Healthy-by-Default Kids’ Meal Drinks bill! The bill requires restaurants in the state that market children’s meals to offer only water or milk as the default beverage for the children’s meals. This is a big step towards reducing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption by children and creating a healthier food environment.