AgClips
Recent AgClips
Rural population grows in counties witrha lower digital divide
Daoly Yonder | Posted onApril 19, 2018 in Rural NewsWhen they live in remote rural areas, millennials are more likely to reside in a county that has better digital access. The findings could indicate that the digital economy is helping decentralize the economy, not just clustering economic change in the cities that are already the largest.
Nebraska Craft Brewery Board seeks grant proposals by April 30
high Plains Journal | Posted onApril 19, 2018 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsBy encouraging Nebraskans to “Grow local. Brew local, and Buy local,” the Nebraska Craft Brewery Board hopes to enhance the state’s hop and craft brewery industry. Every year the Craft Brewery Board awards grants to fund research, development and marketing projects related to the industry. This year, the Board has approximately $90,000 available for innovative projects from growers, industry organizations, state and local agencies, educational groups and other eligible stakeholders.
EU moves to ban sale of lower-quality branded food in eastern Europe
The Guardian | Posted onApril 19, 2018 in Federal, Food NewsBrussels wants to make it illegal for food and drink multinationals to sell inferior versions of well-known brands to customers in eastern Europe, after studies suggested hundreds of products were involved in the practice. An EU directive banning so-called “dual food” was announced on Wednesday following longstanding complaints from member states in central and eastern Europe. Coca-Cola, Pepsi, HiPP baby food, Birds Eye, Lidl and Spar have denied accusations of selling lower quality goods in the east bearing identical branding to products sold in western Europe.
AG Jeff Sessions halts free legal assistance program for detained immigrants
Dallas News | Posted onApril 19, 2018 in Federal, Rural NewsU.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has suspended a free legal assistance program for detained immigrants who need basic advice as their cases wind their way through court. "Every day this program is not in operation puts family unity at risk, harms our communities, and infringes on the right of all people to make informed decisions about their legal claims," the Vera Institute said in a statement Wednesday.
Gene Editing for Good
Foreign Affairrs | Posted onApril 19, 2018 in Agriculture NewsBut ultimately, eliminating the most persistent diseases and causes of poverty will require scientific discovery and technological innovations. That includes CRISPR and other technologies for targeted gene editing. Over the next decade, gene editing could help humanity overcome some of the biggest and most persistent challenges in global health and development. The technology is making it much easier for scientists to discover better diagnostics, treatments, and other tools to fight diseases that still kill and disable millions of people every year, primarily the poor.
Farmers growing produce eaten raw will be contacting water testing labs about new rule
Michigan State University | Posted onApril 19, 2018 in NewsThe Produce Safety Rule (PSR) is one of seven rules in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) coming into effect in the next three years. Growers will be calling labs for water testing, and they will be using new FSMA vocabulary that lab techs and support staff may not have heard before. They must establish a Microbial Water Quality Profile for each of their water sources. The source and use of that water dictates the type and frequency of water test they need performed. The two water types under FSMA are Production Water, and Postharvest Water.
US manufacturers seek relief from steel and aluminum tariffs
ABC News | Posted onApril 19, 2018 in Federal NewsRising costs. Delayed shipments. A baffling bureaucracy. President Donald Trump's tariffs on imported aluminum and steel are disrupting business for American companies that buy those metals, and many are pressing for relief.Hundreds of companies are asking the Commerce Department to exempt them from the 25 percent steel tariff and the 10 percent aluminum tariff.Other companies are weighing their options. Jody Fledderman, CEO of Batesville Tool & Die in Indiana, says American steelmakers have already raised their prices since Trump's tariffs were announced last month.
Supreme Court Shuts Down Enviros’ Attempt To Block Nuclear Plant
Daily Caller | Posted onApril 19, 2018 in NewsThe Supreme Court rejected an appeal that sought to block the construction of a nuclear reactor in Michigan, dealing a heavy blow to environmental groups that have been fighting the proposal for a decade. The Supreme Court decided on Tuesday not to consider an appeal from a coalition of anti-nuclear and environmental groups hoping to block the construction of Fermi 3, a proposed reactor near Monroe, Mich. Despite the setback, opponents of the project are vowing to continue fighting on, and hope to eradicate all nuclear power in the state.
SCOTUS nixes part of law requiring deportation of immigrants convicted of some crimes
CNN | Posted onApril 19, 2018 in Federal NewsThe Supreme Court on Tuesday invalidated a provision of federal law that requires the mandatory deportation of immigrants who have been convicted of some "crimes of violence," holding that the law is unconstitutionally vague.The case, Sessions v. Dimaya, had originated during the Obama administration but had been closely watched to see if the justices would reveal how they will consider the Trump administration's overall push to both limit immigration and increase deportations.
Did the changes to veterinary feed directive regulations affect your farm?
Michigan State University | Posted onApril 19, 2018 in Agriculture NewsStarting January 1st, 2017 the distribution of antibiotics in animal agriculture went through a major overhaul. These changes affected livestock farmers of all sizes and farms needed to incorporate changes to help them adapt to the new rules and regulations. Focusing on the one-health concept of combating antibiotic resistance, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put into effect regulations that helped promote the judicious use of humanly medically important antibiotics.