AgClips
Recent AgClips
Michigan dairy farmer gets prison time for hiring undocumented immigrants
edairynews | Posted onJanuary 8, 2018 in Agriculture NewsA Michigan dairy farmer is to spend a couple of years in federal prison and owes a six-figure fine for hiring undocumented immigrants. U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington on Thursday, Jan. 4, sentenced Denis Burke to two years in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Ludington did not order Burke taken into custody on Thursday, but gave him time to self-report to the U.S. Marshals Services.The judge also ordered Burke to pay a fine of $187,500 and an assessment fee of $100.
California producers approve dairy quota
edairynews | Posted onJanuary 8, 2018 in Agriculture NewsFarmers have maintained that retention of a quota program was a critical component in adopting the federal milk marketing order system. California dairy producers have voted in favor of a plan to retain their quota program if a federal milk marketing order is established for the state. The California Department of Food and Agriculture released the results of a producer referendum on the quota Friday afternoon, showing that 87.2 percent of eligible voters voted in favor of the plan.
Tax bill rescinds tax on oil companies to fund spill response
The Washington Post | Posted onJanuary 8, 2018 in Energy, Federal NewsCongressional Republicans allowed a tax on oil companies that generated hundreds of millions of dollars annually for federal oil-spill response efforts to expire this week — a move that amounts to another corporate break for the industry. The tax on companies selling oil in the United States generated an average of $500 million in federal revenue per year, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Gas, not renewables, driving coal, nuclear woes
Utility Dive | Posted onJanuary 8, 2018 in Energy NewsLow natural gas prices, not high renewable energy penetrations, are the main cause of low and negative electricity prices that are negatively impacting coal and nuclear operators, a new report from two DOE national labs finds.
Perdue asks Forest Service leaders to think as OneUSDA
Missoulian | Posted onJanuary 8, 2018 in Federal NewsIn his 2018 New Year’s message, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced an accountability initiative that left current and former federal workers scratching their heads.“So from today forward, you will hear all of USDA leadership, from the Office of the Secretary on down, begin to refer to us as OneUSDA,” Perdue said in a video released on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Judge throws out case against Bundys, bars retrial in devastating defeat for federal prosecutors
The Washington Post | Posted onJanuary 8, 2018 in Federal, Rural News
A federal judge dismissed Monday all charges against rancher Cliven Bundy stemming from the 2014 Nevada standoff and barred prosecutors from retrying the case, citing “flagrant prosecutorial misconduct.” U.S. District Court Chief Judge Gloria Navarro’s dramatic ruling during a hearing in federal court in Las Vegas wasn’t entirely unexpected, given that she declared a mistrial last month after finding that federal prosecutors had willfully withheld evidence from the defense.
Quarles Unveils New Initiative to Combat Food Insecurity
Surf KY | Posted onJanuary 8, 2018 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsAgriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles today unveiled an initiative that will open a new front on combating food insecurity: summer meals for Kentucky children. The Kentucky-grown Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Program will create an economic incentive for summer meal programs to buy fruit and vegetables produced in Kentucky by Kentucky growers. the Kentucky-grown Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Program will create an economic incentive for summer meal programs to buy fruit and vegetables produced in Kentucky by Kentucky growers.
9th Circuit Ruling on Idaho “Ag Gag” Statute
Texas Agriculture Law Blog | Posted onJanuary 8, 2018 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit issued a ruling on the constitutionality of Idaho’s Interference with Agricultural Production (commonly referred to as an “ag gag”) statute. The Court affirmed in part the lower court decision holding a portion of the statute unconstitutional but upheld two specific statutory provisions. This case is important as it is the first time a federal appellate court has found a constitutional right to record images on private property like a farm. Animal rights groups are hailing this is a major victory, despite the fact that other provisio
AFB and NFU team up for clearing house on opioids
Farm Strong | Posted onJanuary 8, 2018 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe opioid crisis has struck farm and ranch families much harder than the rest of rural America. Farm towns will overcome this epidemic through strong farmer-to-farmer support and the resilience of our communities.The nation's two largest farm organizations have teamed up to bring attention to the opioid epidemic in farm country and provide information and resources to help those struggling with opioid abuse.
Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority to accept applications and award $660,000 for dairy risk management
State of Missouri | Posted onJanuary 8, 2018 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe State of Missouri’s FY18 budget signed by Gov. Eric Greitens made available $660,000 to fund a dairy risk management program created by the Missouri Dairy Revitalization Act. The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA), housed within the Missouri Department of Agriculture, will begin accepting applications for the program in early 2018. The Margin Insurance Premium Assistance program was established to assist Missouri dairy farmers with the cost of their participation in the federal margin protection program by the Missouri General Assembly.