AgClips
Recent AgClips
Trump opioid panel will recommend nationwide drug courts, tightened requirements for prescribers
Stat | Posted onNovember 2, 2017 in Rural NewsPresident Trump’s commission on combating the opioid epidemic plans to encourage the federal government to establish drug courts in every federal judicial district, adjust reimbursement rates for addiction treatment, and streamline federal funding used by state and local governments to implement drug treatment and prevention programs, according to a draft of the panel’s final report.
The Clean Label Project Is Using Bad Science To Scare Us About Our Children's Food
Forbes | Posted onNovember 2, 2017 in Food NewsEnter the Clean Label Project, which made a splash after releasing a study on Wednesday alleging that many of the best-selling baby food and infant formula products on the market (determined by Nielsen data) contain arsenic, lead, acrylamide and other “contaminants.” Sounds scary, if these contaminants in our precious babies’ tummies were a justified fear. They’re not. Fact-checking site Snopes published an analysis on Friday, explaining that the project hasn’t published data to substantiate its claims, and has not subjected its study to peer review.
Voter suppression, the blueprint to a broken democracy
The Hill | Posted onNovember 2, 2017 in Federal, SARL Members and Alumni NewsNumerous false narratives have been advanced to sow division in the American electorate, with few more pernicious than the myth of voter fraud. Created as a tactic to justify discriminatory voter suppression practices, this mythos threatens our most fundamental constitutional right and undermines the core democratic values of republican government. The myth that voter fraud is rampant and our elections are infiltrated by undocumented immigrants was used as a pretext for state legislatures across our nation to make it harder for minorities to vote.
Trump science nominee admits lack of hard science credentials
The Hill | Posted onNovember 2, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsPresident Trump’s nominee for a top position in the U.S.
USDA proposes lifting mining ban near Grand Canyon
Reuters | Posted onNovember 2, 2017 in Energy, Federal, Rural NewsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday proposed lifting a mining ban on land near Grand Canyon National Park as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to sweep away regulations impeding development.“Adoption of this recommendation could re-open lands to mineral entry pursuant to the United States mining laws facilitating exploration for, and possibly development of, uranium resources,” the department wrote in a report to the White House seen by Reuters.The area potentially affected by the reopening is managed by the department’s Forest Service.
Minnesota testing farmer health care cooperative
DTN | Posted onNovember 2, 2017 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsFarmers in most of the country are left largely with the same health-insurance options they have faced in the past when it comes to the law, though a new experiment is starting in Minnesota with a farmer health-insurance cooperative. The idea of a farmer health-care cooperative had been kicked around in Minnesota since 2009 but had faced multiple regulatory stumbling blocks.
Cover crops provide bed and breakfast layover for migrating birds
University of Illinois | Posted onNovember 2, 2017 in Agriculture, Rural NewsAfter harvesting a corn or soybean crop, farmers may plant a cover crop for a variety of reasons—to reduce soil erosion and nutrient runoff, increase organic matter in the soil, and improve water quality. Now there’s another reason. University of Illinois research shows that migratory birds prefer to rest and refuel in fields with cover crops. “Here in the Midwest, we’re in one of the major flyway zones for migratory birds, where there once was plenty of habitat for grassland birds to safely forage and rest during their migration.
Exports are up, but what’s the future of trade deals?
National Hog Farmers | Posted onNovember 2, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsThe only bad trade agreement is one that you’re not in, so it’s imperative that the United States can hold its own in existing trade pacts, while also developing new relationships. Seng sees the fact that the pork complex exports are up 9% is “very encouraging news for us because pork has always been a challenge to some degree. Mexico is up about 18%. … We’re watching Mexico because quietly it has become our No. 1 volume destination and it’s a very important market, a growing market for us.”In addition to Mexico, U.S.
Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers in the Southeast and Their Family Members or Representatives Can Get Money in $24 Million Settlement
PR Newswire | Posted onNovember 2, 2017 in Agriculture NewsU.S. Tobacco Cooperative, Inc. ("U.S. Tobacco"), formerly known as Flue-Cured Tobacco Cooperative Stabilization Corporation, has reached a $24 million Settlement to resolve claims made by current and former U.S. Tobacco members over reserve funds. Tobacco growers across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama who were or are members of U.S. Tobacco, as well as their heirs or representatives, are eligible for a payment from the Settlement. The Settlement stems from a lawsuit that claims U.S.
GAO study: Damage to agriculture from climate change
Farm Futures | Posted onNovember 2, 2017 in Agriculture NewsStudies show the Southeast, Midwest, and Great Plains regions will likely experience greater combined economic effects compared to other regions.The GAO advised that $350 billion is being spent by the federal government in 2017 because of extreme weather and fire events. GAO believes these numbers will increase and that floods and drought once considered rare will become more common and intense because of climate change.