AgClips
Recent AgClips
VT:Legislators Approve Tighter Wind Turbine Sound Standards
US News and World Report | Posted onNovember 1, 2017 in Energy, SARL Members and Alumni NewsA Vermont legislative panel has approved a proposal that sets more strict sound limits for wind turbines.Vermont Public Radio reports the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules voted 5-2 Thursday to keep nighttime sound levels no greater than 30 decibels inside a home.The vote did not please either side of the argument for tight sound standards.
Consumers confuse ‘organic’ and ‘non-GMO’: study
Meatingplace (free registration required) | Posted onNovember 1, 2017 in Agriculture, Food NewsConsumers mix up foods labeled “organic” and “non-genetically modified” and some view the two labels as synonymous, according to a new study by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The study, led by UF assistant professor Brandon McFadden with Purdue University agricultural economics professor Jayson Lusk, explored ways to communicate to consumers whether food has genetically modified ingredients. Researchers conducted a national survey of 1,132 respondents to gauge their willingness to pay for food labeled as genetically modified vs.
WTO compliance panel hands U.S. win in tuna-dolphin dispute; Mexico to appeal
Money | Posted onNovember 1, 2017 in Federal NewsThe U.S. and Mexico have been locked in a dispute over how tuna is fished in Mexico. The U.S. claims that Mexican fishermen allow dolphins to be netted and killed when they fish for tuna. Therefore, U.S. officials say that Mexican tuna fish can't be labeled "dolphin safe." Mexican leaders deny that the country's fishing industry isn't in compliance with rules imposed by the World Trade Organization and they demand their tuna get the "dolphin-safe" labeling. If it doesn't get that label, several major U.S.
EPA guidance on reporting air emissions of hazardous substances from animal waste
Farm Forum | Posted onNovember 1, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsEPA released guidance to assist farmers in reporting air releases of hazardous substances from animal waste at farms. EPA is making this information available to provide time for farmers to review and prepare for the reporting deadline, currently set for November 15, 2017. “EPA is working diligently to address undue regulatory burden on American farmers,” said Administrator Scott Pruitt.
Taxation for antibiotic use?
American Society of Animal Science | Posted onNovember 1, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsThe authors summarized three main points or avenues to reduce the antimicrobials in food animals, which could result in a 9% to 80% reduction in antimicrobial use by 2030. First, they discuss regulations that would put a cap of 50 mg of antimicrobials per PCU per year, suggesting a 64% reduction in antimicrobial use from today’s available data. Second, they discuss limiting meat consumption worldwide to 40 g/day, suggesting a reduction in antimicrobial use of 66% use.
Top Trump official says U.S. isn’t offering ‘anything’ to Canada in exchange for NAFTA demands
Toronto Star | Posted onOctober 27, 2017 in Federal NewsThe Trump administration is demanding NAFTA concessions from Canada and Mexico but not offering “anything” in exchange, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Wednesday. Ross’s remarkable public statement corroborates the complaints of Canadian and Mexican officials, who have accused the U.S. of taking an unusually and unreasonably hard line in the talks to renegotiate the North American free trade pact.U.S.
Senators from refinery states request Trump meeting on biofuels
Reuters | Posted onOctober 27, 2017 in Energy, Federal NewsNine U.S. senators from states that have oil refineries sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Thursday urging changes to the country’s biofuels policy and asking for a meeting to discuss the issue. The letter reflects growing tensions between refiners that oppose the U.S.
Trump declares opioid crisis a 'health emergency' but requests no funds
The New York Times | Posted onOctober 27, 2017 in Federal, Rural NewsPresident Trump on Thursday directed the Department of Health and Human Services to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency, taking long-anticipated action to address a rapidly escalating epidemic of drug use.But even as he vowed to alleviate the scourge of drug addiction and abuse that has swept the country — a priority that resonated strongly with the working-class voters who supported his presidential campaign — Mr.
U.S. farmers tighten belts to compete with cheap LatAm grain
Reuters | Posted onOctober 27, 2017 in Agriculture NewsWhen Kansas farmer Tom Giessel drove over a deer carcass and punctured a tire on his combine during harvest this fall, he did not have the time or cash to fix it. He borrowed his neighbor’s tractor to finish. U.S. farmers are cutting costs any way they can to compete against cheaper producers in Argentina and Brazil. Four years of global oversupply have pushed down grain prices, reduced agricultural revenues and put more expensive producers under financial pressure.In response, U.S.
Canada Warns Nafta Talks Can’t Be ‘Winner Take All’
Bloomberg | Posted onOctober 27, 2017 in Agriculture NewsCanadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland criticized a one-sided strategy in Nafta negotiations after U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said he wasn’t prepared to make concessions to reach a deal. “A negotiation where a one party takes a winner-takes-all approach is a negotiation that may find some difficulties in reaching a conclusion,” Freeland said Thursday during a press conference in Toronto, without specifying which party she was referring to. She later added Canada understands the value of opening new export markets in China and elsewhere.