AgClips
Recent AgClips
U.S., China, each disclose new tariff proposals
Chemical and Engineering News | Posted onAugust 9, 2018 in Federal NewsAs the U.S. and China escalate hostilities in their trade war, the manufacturing sector on both sides is at risk of becoming collateral damage. New tariff proposals unveiled by the U.S. and China in recent days cover many chemicals and key materials that the two countries trade widely and for which, in some cases, few alternative suppliers exist. Acting on a request from President Trump, the office of the U.S.
Yakima city council to consider repealing ban on pit bull breeds
The Seattle Times | Posted onAugust 9, 2018 in Rural NewsFriends and foes of the oft-maligned pit bull terrier may soon have a final answer on whether the dogs can live within Yakima city limits. More than 30 years after the dogs were banned by city ordinance, the Yakima City Council again will consider allowing them.
Couple cash in on the live chicken rental craze
Valley News Dispatch | Posted onAugust 9, 2018 in Agriculture NewsIt’s “Rent The Chicken,” not “Rent-A-Chicken.” Local entrepreneurs Phil and Jenn Tompkins stress the distinction because their South Buffalo Township-based business, Rent The Chicken, in their assessment, is on top of the pecking order of live chicken rental businesses, which includes Michigan-based competitor Rent-A-Chicken.Rent The Chicken continues to add customers after the Tompkins hatched the business five years ago for supplemental income promoting a shared value of the couple: Homesteading — producing yard-to-the-table fresh food.The success of the business illustrates the popularit
'Virtually unprecedented': Banff bison roaming free for first time in 140 years
Calgary Herald | Posted onAugust 9, 2018 in Agriculture NewsWild and free. That’s the new life for a herd of 31 plains bison which have finally been fully reintroduced to the backcountry of Banff National Park for the first time in 140 years. “These are not a captive display herd. These are wild bison,” said Bill Hunt, resource conservation manager with Parks Canada.“This is virtually unprecedented.
Heatwave and climate change having negative impact on our soil say experts
Science Daily | Posted onAugust 9, 2018 in Agriculture NewsThe recent heatwave and drought could be having a deeper, more negative effect on soil than we first realized say scientists. That's because organisms in soil are highly diverse and are responsible not only for producing the soil we need to grow crops, but also provide humans with many other benefits, such as cleaning water and regulating greenhouse gas emissions.
Florida judge strikes down HSUS dog-racing ban, calling it ‘outright trickeration’
Florida Politics | Posted onAugust 9, 2018 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsSaying it “hide(s) the ball” and calling it “outright ‘trickeration,’ ” a Tallahassee judge has ruled that a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending dog racing shouldn’t go on the November ballot.
Survey released to address future of agriculture in West Virginia
The Intermountain | Posted onAugust 9, 2018 in Agriculture NewsThe West Virginia Agriculture Advisory Board announced the first step in developing a five-year, strategic plan for agriculture. A statewide survey, as well as market analysis will be conducted to address the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt relaunched the board in July of 2017 which includes Governor Jim Justice and the Dean of WVU Extension Service Steve Bonanno.
Broadband access: A regulatory call to action to protect utilities against cyber threats
Utility Dive | Posted onAugust 9, 2018 in Energy, Rural NewsEnergy suppliers are taking cyber threats seriously by shoring up physical infrastructure and hardening against cyber warfare. But they are competing with one arm tied behind their backs because they are using decades-old private radio systems to control these facilities, as opposed to the advanced broadband technology available today. That's because historically, most policymakers have been primarily focused on protecting consumers from rate hikes. That's an important objective.
Hawaii's new fuel price performance incentive gives HECO 'skin in the game'
Utility Dive | Posted onAugust 9, 2018 in Energy, SARL Members and Alumni NewsHawaii regulators took a step toward performance incentives for its dominant electric utility, but transitioning to true performance-based regulation (PBR) will be contentious, judging from the stakeholder response. The cost of importing expensive fuel oil for power generation in the state has led to many debates over the best way to align utility incentives with customer interests — such as using a sharing mechanism to split fuel price volatility risks between the utility's shareholders and its ratepayers.
FERC halts construction of Mountain Valley Pipeline after court ruling
Utility Dive | Posted onAugust 9, 2018 in Energy NewsThe Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Friday ordered a stop to construction of the 300-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline after a federal appeals court threw out permits that allowed the project to build through less than four miles of national forest land. On July 27, the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals reversed permits granted by the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service in response to a challenge from environmental groups.