AgClips
Recent AgClips
Where even Walmart won't go: how Dollar General took over rural America
The Guardian | Posted onAugust 16, 2018 in Rural NewsAs the chain opens stores at the rate of three a day across the US, often in the heart of ‘food deserts’, some see Dollar General as an admission that a town is failing. When Dollar General came to Haven, Kansas, it arrived making demands. The fastest-growing retailer in America wanted the taxpayers of the small, struggling Kansas town to pick up part of the tab for building one of its squat, barebones stores that more often resemble a warehouse than a neighbourhood shop.
NY to Invest $1.5M in 'Farm-To-School' Lunch Programs
US News and World Report | Posted onAugust 16, 2018 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsNew York state will invest $1.5 million in additional funds in efforts to bring fresh, locally grown farm products to public schools in the coming school year.School districts can apply for grants of up to $100,000 each that can support the hiring of a program coordinator, staff training or the purchase of equipment to store, prepare or transport farm products.Since the state's "farm-to-school" program began in 2015 the state has set aside more than $1.8 million to help programs in 164 school districts across the state. Democratic Gov.
Kroger sets timeline for gestation stall-free pork
Meatingplace (free registration required) | Posted onAugust 16, 2018 in Food Newshe Kroger Co. has announced plans to source pork only from producers who do not use sow gestation stalls. The nation’s largest supermarket chain specified in its recent sustainability report that it aims to buy 100 percent of its pork from producers using group housing or free-range methods by 2025.
HSUS looking for corporate buy-in
Meatingplace (free registration required) | Posted onAugust 16, 2018 in Agriculture NewsHSUS recently held its “Taking Action for Animals” Conference here in Arlington, and as always the Alliance had representatives on the scene. Despite HSUS’ efforts to appear moderate and professional, its conference has usually been a good source for quotes and insights that illustrate its true mission to promote veganism and end animal agriculture. When I reviewed the agenda for this year’s event, I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed. The sessions were all billed under very innocuous names with vague descriptions, and most of the speakers were HSUS staffers vs.
Seward county is Nebraska's newest livestock friendly county
KTIC Radio | Posted onAugust 16, 2018 in NewsGovernor Pete Ricketts named Seward County Nebraska’s newest Livestock Friendly County (LFC). Seward County is the 48th county in Nebraska to receive the LFC designation. The LFC program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA). “Agriculture is the largest segment of Nebraska’s economy,” said Governor Ricketts. “Congratulations to Seward County on becoming livestock friendly.
Reports: Oregon has pot oversupply, Colorado hits the mark
Capital Press | Posted onAugust 16, 2018 in Agriculture NewsTwo of the first states to broadly legalize marijuana took different approaches to regulation that left Oregon with a vast oversupply and Colorado with a well-balanced market. But in both states prices for bud have plummeted.
Animal tests positive for swine flu at Shiawassee County Fair
WNEM | Posted onAugust 16, 2018 in Agriculture NewsAn outbreak of a deadly virus is closing down an attraction at a local county fair. Organizers are figuring out how pigs were infected with the swine flu at the Shiawassee County Fair.Closed signs and fencing cloak the Shiawassee Fair's Swine Barn with not even one pig in sight.That's because on Thursday night, Fair Manager Ric Crawford and barn superintendents noticed that a group of pigs started looking sick.
Rural America Faces A Crisis In 'Adequate Housing'
NPR | Posted onAugust 16, 2018 in Rural NewsEconomists say this phenomenon of "aging in place" is one of the main factors driving a shortage in housing nationwide. According to one analysis, people are living in their homes twice as long as they did before the Great Recession. Small towns like Ogallala are no exception to this trend. Ogallala's residents tend to skew older.
USDA cites bigger yields in raising corn, soy crop estimates
AgWeek | Posted onAugust 16, 2018 in NewsUSDA on Friday raised its estimate for corn and soybean production, citing record or near-record yields. Futures fell following the reports.Farmers will harvest 14.586 billion bushels of corn, USDA said in its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, up 356 million bushels from its July projection while down slightly from last year’s output of 14.604 billion bushels. The national yield per harvested acre is projected at a record 178.4 bushels, the first survey-based estimate of the year. That’s 4.4 bushels higher than last month’s trend-based projection.
Canadian feedlots to benefit from new animal care audit
The Western Producer | Posted onAugust 16, 2018 in Agriculture NewsA standardized animal welfare program for Canadian feedlot operators should result in healthier, more profitable cattle. Better animal care has a spin-off benefit because it improves performance, health and reduces the chronically ill or railers, that is, animals that must go to slaughter before they reach market weight.It is a companion to the national beef code of practice but addresses specific issues in feedlots.Canadian facilities JBS and Cargill Meats, and Tyson’s at Pasco, Washington, are involved with the program as are retailers and some companies like McDonald’s.