AgClips
Recent AgClips
Dairy labeling and added sugar labeling for maple make the omnibus spending bill
Politico | Posted onAugust 2, 2018 in Agriculture, Federal NewsDairy labeling makes a cameo appearance: When debating the so-called minibus, H.R. 6147, on Wednesday, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) offered an amendment that, in effect, would block FDA's planned effort to crack down on having the term "milk" used to market plant-based alternatives like soy and almond beverages. The proposal was handily defeated 14-86, Jen and Kaitlyn write. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said during the POLITICO Pro Summit last month that the agency will soon issue a guidance document outlining changes to its "standards-of-identity" for labeling milk.
New Mexico investigates immigration detention
High Country News | Posted onAugust 2, 2018 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsLast month, Roberto de Jesús González spoke to state legislators in Santa Fe, New Mexico, about his experience being held for three months in the Otero County Processing Center. “(I was) a victim of the private prison system,” he said — treated like an animal, poorly fed and given little respect by the guards. “This business is based on human suffering,” he told lawmakers. “That was my experience.” He wasn’t alone.
U.S. Share of World Economic Growth: Implications for U.S. Trade Policy
Farm Doc Daily | Posted onAugust 2, 2018 in Agriculture, Federal NewsBetween 1980 and 1985, the U.S. accounted for 24.6% of world economic growth. Since then, 2 distinct periods emerge, with the millennium being the break point. Until 2000, U.S. share fluctuated around a very slight downtrend. U.S. share of world economic growth was still 24.1% from 1995 to 2000. Since 2000, U.S. share has dropped at an annual rate of around -0.7 percentage point per year. U.S. share was 12.6% of world growth between 2012 and 2017.
American Soybean Association Joins Farmers for Free Trade
Hoosier Ag Today | Posted onAugust 2, 2018 in Agriculture NewsThe American Soybean Association this week announced it will join Farmers for Free Trade. Representing soybean farmers across the nation, ASA is joining the bipartisan campaign self-described as “amplifying the voices of American farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses that support free trade.” ASA CEO Ryan Findlay says agriculture needs “strong likeminded allies” in advocating for new trade agreements and expanding international markets.
Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN acquires soil health planning software
Agdaily | Posted onAugust 2, 2018 in Agriculture NewsLand O’Lakes SUSTAIN has acquired an Iowa-based software company whose soil health and conservation planning software is already helping the company lead the way on innovative conservation stewardship. The Agren business and tools will be operated by the Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN division.
Over half of US farms lose money
Agriculture.com | Posted onAugust 2, 2018 in Agriculture NewsU.S. farmers that are losing money are not alone, according to data collected by the USDA. The study analyzed data from 2015. Over half of U.S. farm households report losses from their farm businesses each year. There is a caveat. Because net farm income isn’t the total contributor to the financial well-being of farm families, tax-loss benefits and asset appreciation pushes the share of households with positive annual farm returns rises from 43 to 70 percent.
Despite Trump's Desire to Approve E15, EPA's Head Remains Uncommitted
DTN | Posted onAugust 2, 2018 in NewsThe agency announced in the latest RFS volumes proposal that it granted waivers in 2016 and 2017 totaling 2.25 billion gallons of biofuels, which equates to affecting roughly 800 million bushels of corn demand. The National Biodiesel Board estimates the loss of 300 million gallons of biodiesel blended, through waivers.
Is the American Dream Still ALive in Rural America?
Agriculture.com | Posted onAugust 1, 2018 in Rural NewsMany such towns face a turning point. John Ikerd, a retired University of Missouri agricultural economist, sees the rural mood as “a growing sense of impotence and dread.” Ultimately, a positive rural future hinges on rural residents taking the future into their own hands and working together for their community’s common good, says Ikerd. Several steps taken in the past 15 years have helped sustain Langford’s businesses, says Jensen. Glacial Lakes Area Development helps support local individuals and industries with tools like business development goals.
Rural America is ripe with potential, starving for capital
The Hill | Posted onAugust 1, 2018 in Rural NewsInvestment in venture-backed companies in the United States reached $57 billion in almost 4,000 deals in the first half of 2018. Yet, only a fraction of those dollars found their way to funds and companies based in rural America. This capital deficit is starving innovative and valuable growth opportunities across rural communities.
How Can Landowners Protect Themselves from Liability?
Texas Agriculture Law Blog | Posted onAugust 1, 2018 in Agriculture, Rural NewsA common concern for landowners across the country is how to ensure they are protected from liability if someone is injured on their property. In fact, in one morning last week, I got three emails from landowners asking what they could do now to be in a position to best defend themselves in the event an injury does occur on their land.