AgClips
Recent AgClips
Sexual misconduct allegations rock statehouses
Politico | Posted onNovember 7, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsStatehouses from Boston to Sacramento have been rocked by an onslaught of sexual misconduct allegations, creating unprecedented pressure on state legislative leaders to take immediate action. Amid a flood of recent testimonials from female legislators, staff and lobbyists, a portrait is fast emerging of male-dominated state capitol cultures rife with sexual harassment and bereft of protections for victims, where complaints from women frequently languish — or are outright ignored.
Relax, You Don’t Need to ‘Eat Clean’
The New York Times | Posted onNovember 7, 2017 in Food NewsThe effects are more insidious than any overindulgent amount of “bad food” can ever be. By fretting about food, we turn occasions for comfort and joy into sources of fear and anxiety. And when we avoid certain foods, we usually compensate by consuming too much of others. All of this happens under the guise of science. But a closer look at the research behind our food fears shows that many of our most demonized foods are actually fine for us. Taken to extremes, of course, dietary choices can be harmful — but that logic cuts both ways.
New Indiana solar law could cripple small businesses and customer savings
Indianapolis Star | Posted onNovember 7, 2017 in Energy NewsThe source of Rohaly's concern — and that of many other small business owners — is Senate Bill 309. The law, championed by the state's powerful utility industry, phases out net metering, which requires utilities to pay solar users for any excess energy that is created by their solar panels. The program was intended to provide an important incentive for Hoosiers to install expensive solar panels and produce their own energy that is better for the environment.
Illinois’ first fracking permit withdrawn
The State Journal Register | Posted onNovember 7, 2017 in Energy, SARL Members and Alumni NewsWoolsey Companies Inc., the Kansas firm awarded the first permit under the state’s 2013 “fracking” law, released a statement Friday citing regulatory compliance costs in the decision to drop drilling plans near the southeast Illinois community of Enfield. The practice relies on high pressure chemical and water injections to release oil and gas from deep-rock formation.
85-year-old N.J. dairy processor bought by Kansas company; 180 jobs are safe
edairynews | Posted onNovember 7, 2017 in Agriculture NewsDairy Farmers of America purchased Bridgeton-based Cumberland Dairy, an 85-year-old family-owned business that processes ultra-pasteurized dairy products.The dairy company, which started as a small milk plant behind the founder Charles Catalana’s home, will continue to operate under its current name and the 180 employees who work for the dairy will remain employed.
Are dairy farmers drowning in milk?
edairynews | Posted onNovember 7, 2017 in Agriculture NewsMuch has been noted in the past couple years about the state of the dairy industry in Wisconsin. With news stories popping up about exports declining and farms losing a home for their milk, let’s take a macro look at what is causing the past, current and short-term future market conditions. While the milk market faces excessive supply, there is some positivity on the horizon. The U.S. Dollar is the weakest it has been against the Euro since early 2015 and exporters are now starting to move supplies to foreign buyers. The U.S.
Funding woes shut processor of pasture-based poultry
Meatingplace (free registration required) | Posted onNovember 7, 2017 in Agriculture NewsA USDA-inspected processor in North Carolina serving producers of pasture-raised poultry in six states has suspended operations, citing a lack of capital. Cool Hand Meats of Marion, N.C., began as the Foothills Pilot Plant with funding from a patchwork of USDA, state and local sources before becoming a for-profit business on March 1, said owner Amanda Carter, who also served as general manager of the Foothills project for four years.About $1.2 million was invested over the years with the goal of creating a model for-profit meat-packing plant that would serve local independent farmers.
Sixty-Four House Members Tell Pruitt RFS has Failed
DTN | Posted onNovember 7, 2017 in Energy NewsA bipartisan group of 64 lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives on Wednesday asked U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt to consider what they say are the negative effects of the Renewable Fuel Standard, in a letter sent to Pruitt. Pressure applied to EPA on potential changes to the RFS in recent weeks by Midwest members of Congress, led the agency to back down. This week, the EPA sent the final 2018 renewable volume obligations in the RFS to the Office of Management and Budget.As a result of the agency's actions, Sen.
Wins, some losses, in GOP tax bill for farmers
Agri-Pulse | Posted onNovember 7, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsThe House Republican tax-reform bill would preserve interest expensing for most farmers and would phase out the estate tax, but some producers would lose a tax deduction that their cooperatives pass on to them. The bill also significantly expands immediate expensing and depreciation provisions that are in current law. However, tax experts say there are other provisions, including new rules for pass-through entities and self-employment taxes, that could offset some of the benefits.
The GOP Tax Plan Tells Us Everything About Who Matters In American Democracy
Huffington Post | Posted onNovember 7, 2017 in Federal NewsThe GOP says its plan is an effort to “fix our broken tax code,” and there can be no doubt that the code is broken. Our fabulously wealthy nation is mysteriously plagued by poverty. More than 40 million Americans currently live in poverty, including 11.5 million children. Over 41 million people live in what the U.S. Department of Agriculture defines as “food insecure households.” Millions of Americans literally could not afford to eat at some point during 2016.