AgClips
Recent AgClips
From the front lines of NAFTA, more relief than rejoicing
NPR | Posted onOctober 9, 2018 in Agriculture, Federal NewsDoyle Lentz, a farmer in North Dakota whose crops include wheat and barley, talked about similar concerns, even though he does see a particular benefit for wheat farmers in the new deal.American farmers had been frustrated by Canada's policy of classifying all U.S. wheat as low-quality (and therefore low-price). The new deal prohibits that low-quality classification, essentially allowing U.S. farmers to sell more wheat to Canada at fairer prices. That's good news, Lentz says.
The biggest hurdle genetically engineered food faces isn’t science—it’s us
Quartz | Posted onOctober 8, 2018 in Food NewsToday, virtually everything we eat is produced from seeds that have been genetically altered in some manner. If we’re going to feed the growing population without further destroying the environment, then we’re going to have to get comfortable with the idea of eating modified crops. By the year 2100, the Earth’s population is expected to increase to more than 11.2 billion from the current 7.6 billion. What is the best way to produce enough food to feed all these people?
Farm Babe: What are you really getting from organic apples?
Ag Daily | Posted onOctober 8, 2018 in Agriculture NewsA lot of people buy organic foods because they believe organic means free from chemicals and pesticides. But the truth is much different! There are 5,500 branded chemical substances and pesticide products for use in organic farming. Why, might you ask? Pests don’t discriminate. There are some things farmers and growers can do to mitigate pest pressure, but at the end of the day, there are 30,000 species of weeds and 10,000 species of insects that they have to compete with. Bugs don’t just fly into a field and say, “Woah, guys, this field is organic!
USDA launches interactive tool addressing opioid epidemic
High Plains Journal | Posted onOctober 8, 2018 in Rural NewsAssistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced the United States Department of Agriculture has launched an interactive data tool to help community leaders build grassroots strategies to address the opioid epidemic. The opioid misuse Community Assessment Tool enables users to overlay substance misuse data against socioeconomic, census and other public information.
Lawsuit Filed Over Genetic Test
DTN | Posted onOctober 8, 2018 in Agriculture NewsGelbvieh cattle breeders Jerry and Karen Wilson have filed a lawsuit against Jonathan Beever, a University of Illinois professor and founder of Agrigenomics, a livestock genetic testing company. The registered breeders say they culled more than 70 animals based on genetic tests that found the animals positive for the genetic defect Contractural Arachnodactyly (CA). According to the suit, the Wilsons were later told the CA test was not accurate.
Partnership helps to expand broadband service in Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota
Ag Daily | Posted onOctober 7, 2018 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThere are more than 19 million people living in rural America who lack access to a broadband internet connections, including about 22 percent of people in rural Iowa, 36 percent of people in rural Illinois, and 25 percent of people in rural South Dakota. A partnership between Microsoft and an Illinois-based wireless internet provider hope to cut into those numbers at least a little.
Tech Giant, Local Agencies Work to Bring Broadband to Rural Virginia
Virginia Public Radio | Posted onOctober 7, 2018 in Rural NewsSouthern Virginia's economy has been devastated by the loss of the tobacco and textile industries that sustained it through much of its history. Now with the help of a corporate giant, local innovators are trying to remake part of Southside in the image of the digital age.Microsoft first came to Southside Virginia when it picked a location in Mecklenberg County for a new data center in 2010. As that center has grown so has the company's interest in supporting digital infrastructure growth and education in Mecklenberg and surrounding counties.
Business Council passes Wyoming broadband plan
Wyoming News | Posted onOctober 7, 2018 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsDuring a special meeting, the Wyoming Business Council approved the Wyoming Broadband Advisory Council’s plan to enhance internet access in the state.The broadband council was established during the state’s most recent legislative session through Senate File 100, allocating $10 million for broadband improvement projects and outlining strategies to help maximize funding distribution.
EPA’s new carbon plan won’t slow coal unit shutdowns: utilities
reuters | Posted onOctober 7, 2018 in Energy NewsThe Trump administration’s replacement of Obama-era carbon regulations will not save U.S. coal-fired power plants from shutdown, according to a Reuters survey of utilities, spelling bad news for Trump’s efforts to revive the ailing coal industry. The Environmental Protection Agency in August proposed replacing the Clean Power Plan, a signature climate change policy of the Obama administration aimed at curbing carbon emissions from the power industry.
State panel shelves Gov. Rauner's EPA plan to ease pollution rules for Illinois coal plants
Chicago Tribune | Posted onOctober 7, 2018 in Energy, SARL Members and Alumni NewsWith the Nov.