AgClips
Recent AgClips
Caught in a Disaster? Your Rescuer Might Be an Amateur
Pew Charitable Trust | Posted onAugust 8, 2018 in Rural NewsOn Sept. 19, 1985, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Mexico City, collapsing more than 400 buildings and killing thousands of people. Immediately following the quake, people poured into the streets, trying to extricate trapped civilians and attend to wounded victims.Volunteers saved an estimated 700 lives following the natural disaster, said Natalie Enclade, director of the individual and community preparedness division at FEMA.But their lack of training also led them into dangerous situations.
Why campaigns to ban meat send the wrong message on climate change
NBC News | Posted onAugust 8, 2018 in Agriculture NewsWeWork, the co-working mega-giant, recently instituted a new policy at its office spaces across the world: No more meat. Amid some backlash, the company said the decision was an attempt to reduce its carbon footprint and overall impact on the environment. And while this is a truly noble mission, if you take a deep dive into the science of climate and carbon emissions, the policy starts to look half-baked.
Bloomer dairy farm sues Cornell electric company
The Chippewa Herald | Posted onAugust 8, 2018 in Agriculture, Energy NewsA group of Bloomer dairy farmers is suing Cornell-based Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative, claiming that stray voltage from the cooperative’s equipment is harming the dairy herd.The lawsuit was brought by LaGesse Dairy Farms. Thomas C., Catherine J. and Deanne M. LaGesse and Conrad Willi, all of Bloomer.Stray voltage levels are small degrees of voltage traveling through parts of livestock buildings or equipment, according to a 2010 report from the nonprofit Midwest Rural Energy Council.
Drought Puts Livestock Owners in a Pinch
Ag Web | Posted onAugust 8, 2018 in Agriculture NewsAs portions of the U.S. endure scorching drought, livestock owners struggle to locate feed supplies. Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and several more western states range from D0 (abnormally dry) to D4 (exceptional drought).
Too little, too late: Dairy farmers wary of potential impact of cheese factory
WJAC | Posted onAugust 8, 2018 in Agriculture NewsThere have been recent discussions about a cheese factory in Centre County.Some say that such a factory could be a positive factor to help dairy farms in the area, but farmers in Centre County say it may be too little, too late. Harry Wasson, who has been a dairy farmer for 50 years, said 2018 may be his toughest year yet in terms of profitability. “There’s not much left after the milk check so we have to dip into savings to pay expenses,” said Wasson. Doug Wasson said they are probably being paid less than a dollar for each gallon of milk they produce.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin warns 'near crisis time' with low milk prices, export uncertainty, tariffs
LaCrosse Tribune | Posted onAugust 8, 2018 in Agriculture NewsDairy farmers are caught in a vortex that includes low milk prices, uncertainty about export markets and President Donald Trump’s tariffs, among other factors, that have created “pretty near crisis time,” says U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.The Wisconsin Democrat made that assessment during a press conference Monday after she toured Organic Valley’s Cashton distribution center and spoke with officials, members and employees of the cooperative.
Wheat: Heat Wave Impacting Outlook, Prices
Illinois Farm Policy News | Posted onAugust 8, 2018 in Agriculture News
Maryland launches community solar program, creating new green energy opportunities — but also potential conflicts
Baltimore Sun | Posted onAugust 8, 2018 in Energy NewsMaryland has launched a pilot program that will allow anyone to power their home with solar panels — even if they are renters, condo-dwellers or live in the shade of trees. Solar developers are looking for hundreds of residents to subscribe to six power projects planned across the state, including recently announced sites in Owings Mills and Westminster.
Power Worth Less Than Zero Spreads as Green Energy Floods the Grid
Bloomberg | Posted onAugust 8, 2018 in Energy NewsWind and solar farms are glutting networks more frequently, prompting a market signal for coal plants to shut off. With wind and solar farms sprouting up in more areas -- and their power getting priority to feed into the grid in many places -- the amount of electricity being generated is outstripping demand during certain hours of the day.The result: power prices are slipping to zero or even below more often in more jurisdictions. That’s adding to headaches for generators from NRG Energy Inc. in California to RWE AG in Germany and Origin Energy Ltd. in Australia.
Oregon Supreme Court approves tax to fund state EV rebates
Utility Dive | Posted onAugust 8, 2018 in Energy, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe Oregon Supreme Court approved the use of a privilege tax to fund the state's Clean Vehicle Rebate Program on Sunday, after AAA Oregon/Idaho and Trucking Associations Inc. challenged the tax in November 2017, saying it violated Oregon's Constitution. The program is integral to Democratic Gov. Katie Brown's 2017 initiative to address greenhouse gases and climate change.