AgClips
Recent AgClips
Elk overpopulation bill gains traction
Capital Press | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsOregon wildlife regulators would be required to consider elk overpopulation when issuing tags to curb property damage under a bill approved for a vote in the Senate. Senate Bill 301, which would add the overpopulation provision, cleared the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources on April 8 with a unanimous “do pass” recommendation.Farm and ranch organizations that support SB 301 say the additional consideration is needed because the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife currently issues tags based on historical and active damage rather than herd size.
Settlement talks fail in soybean lawsuit involving Iowa's Stine Seed
Des Moines Register | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Agriculture News
Lawyers have failed to reach a settlement in a federal lawsuit claiming a soybean seed company purposely sold faulty seeds to black farmers in Mississippi. A court filing by attorneys for Stine Seed Co. says mediation talks did not lead to an agreement to settle the suit. U.S. District Judge John Fowlkes had set a Friday mediation deadline.
USDA, EPA, and FDA Unveil Strategy to Reduce Food Waste
FDA | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Food NewsAs part of the Trump Administration’s Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the release of a federal interagency strategy to address food waste. The agencies held an event at EPA headquarters to hear from state, local and community leaders and other stakeholders on how all levels of government can work together to reduce food waste.
Senators, Farmers Challenge Accuracy of FCC Internet Coverage Claims
DTN | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Rural NewsThe digital divide between urban American and farmers, businesses and communities in rural America is widening, partially because the Federal Communications Commission uses flawed mapping tools to define who has good internet access. Members of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Wednesday heard from the president of the Mississippi Farm Bureau and others about mapping problems with FCC that make it more difficult to know exactly where internet coverage holes actually exist.
Illinois:Lottery Held To Decide Which Solar Energy Projects Get Credits To Sell Power To Utilities
WIll | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Energy, SARL Members and Alumni NewsHundreds of proposals for solar electricity projects in Illinois competed to win renewable energy credits in a special lottery. The credits will be used to mark the sale of renewable energy to utility companies that are required by the state’s Future Energy Jobs Act to buy a certain amount.
Texas Legislature to act on slow moving vehicle bills
Texas Farm Bureau | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsWhen it’s safe, most tractor drivers pull over and let traffic pass. The problem is that Texas law does not currently include farm equipment in the legal definition of vehicles that may drive on the road shoulder. Bills in the Texas Legislature this session could fix that. Everyone is busy and often impatient these days. It can certainly be annoying to be stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle. However, a collision with a tractor could change our perception of busy schedules.
Pilot program incorporates gardening, nutrition into STEM curriculum
The Town Talk | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Rural NewsA partnership between the Food Bank of Central Louisiana and the Rapides Parish School Board is proving to be bountiful in knowledge and food for students involved in pilot programs at Mabel Brasher Elementary School and Phoenix Academic Magnet School. Staff members of the Food Bank’s Good Food Project sustainable gardening program have been teaching students at the two schools about gardening and nutrition.
Montana judge rules PSC intentionally set PURPA rates to kill solar projects
Utility Dive | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Energy NewsA Montana district court judge last week issued an order in favor of solar developers, ruling that the state's Public Service Commission intentionally disadvantaged small solar projects in violation of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA).
Ohio GOP lines up bill to save FirstEnergy nuclear plants
Utility Dive | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Energy NewsOhio Republicans are reportedly circulating legislation that would provide financial support to FirstEnergy’s two nuclear plants slated for closure in the state.
FDA Advancing Beneficial Animal Biotechnology Product Development
FDA | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Federal NewsLast October, the FDA announced its Plant and Animal Biotechnology Innovation Action Plan, which focuses on the agency’s risk-based regulatory framework. This framework will help secure confidence in the safety and performance of plant and animal-based innovative products for consumers, patients, and America’s global trading partners.