AgClips
Recent AgClips
Kansas legislation introduced in response to Tyson-Tonganoxie saga
Meatingplace (free registration required) | Posted onFebruary 6, 2018 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsBills introduced last week in the Kansas House and Senate would require countywide public votes on large-scale poultry project proposals like the one Tyson Foods abandoned amid public opposition in Tonganoxie. Rep. Jim Karleskint, R-Tonganoxie, and Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, said the bills would expand to poultry operations existing state law allowing public scrutiny of hog and dairy facilities.
Ohio to eliminate panels on wild animal ownership
Fox News | Posted onFebruary 6, 2018 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsOhio is eliminating two state panels created to help regulate ownership of dangerous wild animals after a suicidal man released lions, tigers and other creatures at his farm in 2011. The Dangerous and Restricted Animals Advisory Board and the Dangerous Wild Animals State Emergency Response Commission will be discontinued Feb. 20. The panels were implemented as part of the state’s Dangerous Wild Animal Act passed in 2012.
Western states lead the fight to maintain net neutrality
High Country News | Posted onFebruary 6, 2018 in Rural NewsLate last year, the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 to disband protections for net neutrality, the principle that internet service providers cannot choose which websites to favor or block. The change gives internet service providers more opportunity to make money, but may hurt smaller businesses and internet users along the way. Even though the West is home to some of the most important players in the tech industry, its rural areas often suffer from lack of internet access — a problem some argue could be solved by loosening net neutrality regulations.
Stop the Food Label Fear-Mongering
US News and World Report | Posted onFebruary 6, 2018 in Food NewsFor the food industry, 2017 was the year of the label. Whether 'non-GMO' or 'no high fructose corn syrup', 'no added hormones' or 'gluten free,' consumers are increasingly demanding more information about what's in their food.A report last fall by Nielsen found that 39 percent of consumers would switch from the brands they currently buy to others that provide clearer, more accurate product information.
Monsanto now offering (legally required) free training for dicamba
Modern Farmer | Posted onFebruary 5, 2018 in Agriculture NewsBack in October, the Environmental Protection Agency placed dicamba on its list of restricted use pesticides, which means it now has to address some specific requirements. Among those are that dicamba may not be applied except either by the manufacturer of the product or by someone trained to use it correctly. (Monsanto has long claimed that any drifting, and destruction caused thereof, is the fault of those applying it incorrectly.
China launches probe over U.S. sorghum imports
Wall Street Journal | Posted onFebruary 5, 2018 in Agriculture NewsChina’s Commerce Ministry said Sunday that it initiated an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation after preliminarily finding that heavy volumes and low prices of American exports of sorghum, bolstered by U.S. government subsidies, hurt Chinese growers. In announcing the action, the Commerce Ministry didn’t mention the Trump administration’s recent ruling to place tariffs on imports of Chinese solar panels. Chinese officials have told representatives of U.S.
Ethanol's next breakthrough? Turning greenhouse gas into fuel.
Des Moines Register | Posted onFebruary 5, 2018 in Energy NewsSomewhere within the walls of a Tennessee lab, researchers stumbled upon an accidental finding that could potentially revolutionize the ethanol market hundreds of miles away in Iowa. Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory unintentionally uncovered a process that uses tiny bits of carbon and copper to convert the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into ethanol fuel.While the research remains in its preliminary phase, it could represent a breakthrough for renewable fuel operations in Iowa.
Ethanol CEO says Pruitt trying to "gut" federal mandate
Houston Chronicle | Posted onFebruary 5, 2018 in Energy, Federal NewsEthanol companies are enraged by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's comments Thursday that the program ensuring compliance with the federal biofuels requirement needs reform. "Administrator Pruitt's recent comments completely contradict his own rule and repeated promises to support the letter and spirit of the RFS," he said. "It is an about-face to now try and gut the most successful energy program in American history."
Bill seeks to ban Delawareans on food stamps from buying junk food
Delaware Public Media | Posted onFebruary 5, 2018 in Food, SARL Members and Alumni NewsBill sponsor State Rep. Kevin Hensley said he wants food stamp benefits to be used only on healthy food. Under the proposal, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services would create a list of what food would be allowed. Hensley said SNAP recipients could still use their own money to purchase food not covered by the food stamp program.
Iowa wildlife groups banned from rescuing deer
Des Moines Register | Posted onFebruary 5, 2018 in Rural NewsIowa groups that rescue and rehabilitate wildlife must turn away whitetail deer to avoid inadvertently spreading a deadly animal disease, state officials say. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources notified 90 volunteers and groups in December that the state would no longer give permits to groups that rehabilitate whitetail deer, most often fawns. The state wants to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, which has been found in wild deer herds in Allamakee and Clayton counties in northeast Iowa.