AgClips
Recent AgClips
Legislators oppose farmworker labor bill
Hornell Evening Tribune | Posted onMarch 19, 2019 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsNew York Senator Tom O’Mara and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano are calling on the state’s Democratic legislative leaders to hold statewide public hearings on legislation that they believe could drive many family farms in New York State out of business and decimate local farm economies. The controversial legislation is known as the “Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act.” “First, the profound consequences of this legislation to one of New York State’s economic and cultural cornerstones demands, at the very least, a series of statewide public hearings.
Georgia oyster bill headed to senate vote over industry objections
Savannah Now | Posted onMarch 19, 2019 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsCharlie Phillips, whose well-tended clam beds account for what he estimates is about 90 percent of the aquaculture in Georgia, would love to see the state allow oyster farming, too. But he’s adamant the current legislation making its way through the General Assembly will do more harm than good. “It’s just overly restrictive and there’s no guarantee they’re going to do any of it,” Phillips said.
As workload grows for Iowa's pesticide inspectors, Ag Secretary says not to expect staff increases
Des Moines Register | Posted onMarch 19, 2019 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsIowa will not add investigators to handle an increased number of pesticide drift complaints, favoring instead more efficient ways to handle complaint inspections, the state’s chief agriculture officer said. “I’ve got to manage the department of ag within my budget,” Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said during IowaWatch’s weekly radio program that aired this weekend.“It’s true, we’ve not seen a budget increase in the pesticide bureau, and I don’t expect to see a dramatic increase in the pesticide budget.
U.S. farm belt slammed by floods, heavy snow from bomb cyclone
Reuters | Posted onMarch 19, 2019 in Agriculture NewsA harsh late winter storm broadsided a vast swathe of the U.S. agriculture industry this week as heavy snow closed roads and buried cattle in the Plains while excessive rain flooded Midwest farm fields and swamped grain elevators.
US seizes pork from China amid swine flu fears
The Hill | Posted onMarch 19, 2019 in Federal NewsU.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have seized about 1 million pounds of pork imported from China amid concerns it could contain the African swine flu disease. Authorities seized the supplies over the last week in New York after the disease was found to have infected some Chinese pork products.
American farmer on trade war: 'We're not seeing an end'
Yahoo Finance | Posted onMarch 19, 2019 in Agriculture NewsA meeting between President Trump and President Xi Jinping to sign a trade deal has been delayed until at least April. In the meantime, farmers are still fighting to offset the effects of the tensions (and tariffs) between the U.S. and China. Mark Watne, president of the North Dakota Farmers Union, detailed these struggles.Among members of his union, “their largest concern comes with the fact that their farm income is off about 50% from probably five, six years ago,” Watne told Yahoo Finance’s First Trade.
Experts weigh new findings on eggs, cholesterol and health
CBS News | Posted onMarch 19, 2019 in Food NewsA new, large study may serve up some confusing advice for egg lovers.
Bills in ND Legislature would move power to Ag Department
Bismarck Tribune | Posted onMarch 19, 2019 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsProposals to move the Agricultural Products Utilization Committee and authority over grain buyers to the North Dakota Agriculture Department remain alive in the North Dakota Legislature.The Legislature already rejected proposals that would have moved the state Milk Marketing Board and the North Dakota Trade Office to the Ag Department. Those agencies will stay with the state auditor’s office and the Department of Commerce, respectively.North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said he’s pleased the Milk Marketing Board will stay where it is, as more of a stand-alone entity.
What is Cheeslandia?
Chesselandia.com | Posted onMarch 19, 2019 in Food NewsFirst and most importantly, there will be thousands of pounds of assorted artisan cheeses, but Wisconsin also brings a un-brie-lievably unique spin with special touches like a Ferris wheel of award-winning cheeses, three 7-liter gourmet fondues, custom swag, and at certain times throughout the day, fair favorites like fried cheese curds and boozy snow cones. A cast of characters will make special appearances including a magician and juggler as well as a woman in a dress made of champagne flutes.
'An utter disaster': Ag losses from Nebraska flooding could top $1 billion
KSTP | Posted onMarch 19, 2019 in Agriculture NewsThe Nebraska Farm Bureau president says farm and ranch losses to the devastating flooding could reach $1 billion in the state. President Steve Nelson estimates $400 million on crop losses because of crops that will be planted late — if at all. He also estimates up to $500 million in livestock losses as the state struggles with swollen rivers and breached or overtopped levees following heavy rain and snowmelt. He told the Omaha World-Herald , "That gets us close to a billion dollars. I would not be surprised to see the lost agriculture numbers go over a billion dollars.