AgClips
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The sad story of dairy's decline: Problem is obvious, solutions are not
AgWeek | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Agriculture NewsAll farmers and livestock producers are important. All the crops and animals they raise are important. That said, there's something special about the dairy industry, especially the people who operate dairy farms. Their skill and dedication reflect what's best and noblest in production agriculture.So the ongoing slump in the U.S. dairy industry is distressing. Beset with a multi-year stretch of poor milk prices and limited profitability, far too many dairy producers have shut down or are in imminent danger of doing so. From 2017 to 2018 alone, 6.5 percent of U.S.
Why some environmental groups oppose a bill to help out low-carbon nuclear plants
Pennsylvania Capital Star | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Energy NewsAfter Sen. Ryan Aument revealed his version of a plan to prop up the state’s nuclear power plants on Wednesday, it didn’t take long for the criticism to start rolling in.
Ohio bill would create ‘clean air’ fund to benefit nuclear, excluding wind and solar
Energy News Network | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Energy NewsLegislation to subsidize two FirstEnergy Solutions nuclear power plants in Ohio is about to surface in the Ohio House. Republican majority leaders have been circulating a proposal that would add up to $300 million annually to electric bills across the state, creating a state “clean air program” with grants administered by political appointees.About $180 million would be earmarked for the FirstEnergy Solutions nuclear power plants, say analysts who have looked at the legislation.
An overeager legal strategy may endanger Trump’s energy goals
Roll Call | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Energy NewsSen. Lisa Murkowski was unhappy with an April 5 ruling by Sharon Gleason, a federal judge in Anchorage, Alaska, who found that President Donald Trump had unlawfully lifted a ban prohibiting drilling in the Arctic Ocean, dealing the president’s fossil-fuel energy agenda a major blow. “I strongly disagree with this ruling,” said Murkowski, who wants to open her state’s land and water to increased oil and gas leasing. “I expect this decision to be appealed and ultimately overturned.”If the past is any indication, the Alaska Republican may be disappointed.
Earth's carbon dioxide levels highest in 3 million years, study says
USA Today | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Energy NewsCarbon dioxide – the gas scientists say is most responsible for global warming – has reached levels in our atmosphere not seen in 3 million years, scientists announced this week in a new study. At that time, sea levels were as much as 65 feet higher than they are now, Greenland was mostly green and Antarctica had trees.“It seems we’re now pushing our home planet beyond any climatic conditions experienced during the entire current geological period, the Quaternary,” said study lead author
Do happier cows make for happier consumers?
Edairy News | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Food NewsToday’s consumers and especially many young consumers have a desire to know more about the products they buy, including food products. Driven by an increased awareness of and empathy toward the care of production animals, products aimed at enhancing the quality of food and/or improving the quality of life on farm animals are becoming more common. This is evident in the increased prevalence of marketing of organic, non-GMO foods, cage-free eggs, free-range chicken and the reduction of use of hormones in dairy production.
Hemp gains ground among farmers
Capital Press | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Agriculture NewsFarmer Greg Willison and his son grew hemp for the first time last year near Coos Bay, Ore., and made money despite the many risks of raising a new crop.
Midwest flood issues: Financial survival intheshort-run, improved flood readiness in the longer-run
Ag Policy | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Agriculture NewsAs farmers in the affected areas plan to build back and farmers elsewhere have building plans in place, elevation is an important concept. Identifying high spots for the placement of grain storage facilities and making them even higher may be a wise investment as we enter an era of more extreme weather events. It may be easy to think that a 500-year flood event is a remote possibility in your area, but such an event is likely to take place somewhere in the next decade or two. A bit of caution now could prevent a disastrous situation in the future.
Canada issues order to guard against ASF
Watt Ag Net (free registration required) | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Agriculture NewsThe Inspector of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has imposed an order imposing conditions in relation to secondary control zones to guard against African swine fever (ASF). ASF has not been detected in North America, but has been spreading across Asia and Europe since last summer. Although ASF does not affect humans, it is highly contagious and deadly among pigs, cannot be cured and has no vaccine.
Consumer opinions not swayed by JAMA egg study
Watt Ag Net (free registration required) | Posted onApril 11, 2019 in Food NewsTo better understand consumer awareness and the impact of news, such as the recently reported-on Journal of the American Medical Association study about the potential health impact of consuming eggs, the American Egg Board conducted an omnibus survey. The JAMA study was released on March 15. As part of the study, researchers examined the relationship between the consumption of eggs and heart disease. The study concluded that increased egg consumption is directly related to heart disease and death.