AgClips
Recent AgClips
Flooding Swamps Upper Midwest Harvest
DTN | Posted onSeptember 24, 2018 in Agriculture NewsForecasts for heavy rain in the Upper Midwest for the final days of the official 2018 summer season have been verified -- and the result is not favorable for harvest. From eastern South Dakota to across northern Iowa, southern Minnesota and into southern Wisconsin, rainfall of 2 to 5 inches has flooded fields, delayed harvest and leads to potential for crop loss. About 10% of total U.S. corn and soybean production is in the area hit by the storms.
Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., on the FDA’s ongoing efforts to prevent foodborne outbreaks of Cyclospora
FDA | Posted onSeptember 24, 2018 in Federal NewsThe safety of the American food supply is one of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s highest priorities. A key part of our work in this space focuses on implementing the principles and measures of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The actions directed by FSMA are designed to prevent foodborne illness and food safety problems from happening. As part of these efforts, we conduct surveys that involve collecting a robust sample of certain food commodities available in the U.S. marketplace to monitor for the presence of foodborne pathogens.
Arizona LGMA updates food safety practices for the upcoming growing season
PR Newswire | Posted onSeptember 24, 2018 in Agriculture, Federal NewsThe Arizona LGMA (Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement) is entering its upcoming growing season with improved food safety practices in light of the E. coli outbreak earlier this year associated with romaine. The updated Food Safety Metrics include: more rigorous risk assessments to address intense weather conditions; additional measures for the production of leafy greens near concentrated animal feeding operations; more prescriptive requirements for the cleaning and sanitizing of harvest equipment;, and stronger traceback requirements.
US Farm Debt Continues Its Upward March
Agricultural Economic Insights | Posted onSeptember 24, 2018 in Agriculture NewsWith farm income having dropped and continuing to decline, there is beginning to be more attention paid to the level of debt in the U.S. farm sector. This week we will examine some of the broad trends in debt use. Today, the total indebtedness stands at $407 billion. Total debt has grown steadily, increasing by 46% since 2010 (an annual compound growth of 5% per year). The total interest cost on this debt is forecast to be $21.9 billion dollars for 2018.
Farm bill funds allocated to agricultural land conservation in Wyoming
The Fence Post | Posted onSeptember 24, 2018 in Federal NewsThe Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust has been granted $4.1 million dollars to purchase three conservation easements in Wyoming. The three projects, two located in Sublette County, and one located in Carbon County, will conserve over 6,800 acres of agricultural land. Funding for these projects comes from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and is allocated under the conservation title of the 2014 Farm Bill.
Colorado meatpacker recalls ground beef after E. coli death
AP | Posted onSeptember 24, 2018 in Food NewsA Colorado meatpacker is recalling more than 132,000 pounds (60,000 kilograms) of ground beef after a suspected E. coli outbreak killed one person and sickened 17, officials said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the beef was produced and packaged at Cargill Meat Solutions in Fort Morgan on June 21 and shipped to retailers nationwide.
WTO members clamor for more clarity on U.S. farm spending
Reuters | Posted onSeptember 24, 2018 in Federal NewsTrading partners will demand more details from the United States at the World Trade Organization next week about its planned $12 billion aid package for U.S. farmers hurt by the Trump administration’s tariff wars. The U.S. aid package, announced in July, is intended to shield U.S. farmers from the repercussions of trade disputes between the United States and China, the European Union and others.But other WTO members want more clarity on how long it will last and whether it adheres to WTO rules as it could have an impact on their own agriculture sectors and competition.
California Farmers Are Trade-War Casualties
Wall Street Journal | Posted onSeptember 24, 2018 in Agriculture NewsChina imposes retaliatory tariffs on pistachios, almonds and wine, while Canada is taxing ketchup.
Court temporarily blocks anti-union law in North Carolina, but fight isn’t over for farm workers
The News & Observer | Posted onSeptember 24, 2018 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsAgriculture is one of the biggest, most powerful industries in North Carolina. But its corporate and political backers just lost the first round of a legal battle with the industry’s lowest-paid workers. Last year the N.C. General Assembly passed a law that, in part, made it illegal for farms and unions to negotiate settlements involving union contracts. It also made it illegal for farm workers to directly transfer parts of their paycheck to the union as dues.
Elanco IPO launched, shares begin trading on NYSE
Watt Ag Net | Posted onSeptember 24, 2018 in Agriculture NewsElanco Animal Health began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on September 20 under the ticker symbol “ELAN.” “A historic day for Elanco! A tribute to our 5,800 team members who made it happen, and the amazing farmers, veterinarians and pet owners we serve,” Elanco President Jeff Simmons posted on Twitterto commemorate the IPO. The pricing of its initial public offering (IPO) of 62.9 million shares of its common stock began selling at a price to the public of $24 per share.