AgClips
Recent AgClips
Lawmakers vote to fund veterinary medicine at Texas Tech
Texas Tribune | Posted onJune 1, 2017 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsTexas Tech University's on-again, off-again plans to open a veterinary school in Amarillo might just be on again. Buried in the 900-plus page budget approved Saturday by state lawmakers is $4.1 million allocated to Tech for "veterinary medicine." That money appears to be start-up funding for a new vet school — even though Tech started the legislative session saying that plans for the school were "on pause."Tech originally announced in late 2015 that it wanted to open a school in Amarillo 2019.
Immigrants Keep an Iowa Meatpacking Town Alive and Growing
The New York Times | Posted onJune 1, 2017 in Rural NewsFierce global competition, agricultural automation and plant closures have left many rural towns struggling for survival. In areas stripped of the farm and union jobs that paid middle-class wages and tempted the next generation to stay put and raise a family, young people are more likely to move on to college or urban centers like Des Moines. Left behind are an aging population, abandoned storefronts and shrinking economic prospects. Yet Storm Lake, hustled along by the relentless drive of manufacturers to cut labor costs and by the town’s grit to survive, is still growing.
Lawsuit challenging N.C. 'ag gag' law dismissed
Agri-Pulse | Posted onJune 1, 2017 in Agriculture NewsA federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a North Carolina law designed to discourage undercover investigations at animal facilities, including farms. The plaintiffs, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Animal Legal Defense Fund, could not show that the law has in any way injured them, a requirement for demonstrating legal standing, U.S. District Judge Thomas D. Schroeder said in his opinion, released Tuesday.
Sneakers Made from Corn? Seat Cushions From Soybeans?
The Wall Street Journal | Posted onJune 1, 2017 in Agriculture NewsFacing overstuffed silos and forecasts for another huge harvest this year, U.S. farmers are trying to find new uses for their corn and soybeans.Robust demand for processed foods, animal feed and biofuels isn’t keeping up with a record glut of crops in the U.S. and around the world, after several years of bumper harvests and largely benevolent weather. To sell the surplus, farmers and trade groups are wooing new customers, from car makers to toy companies.In recent years, corn and soybeans have been added to the recipes for Ford Motor Co.
Chinese Chicken Is Headed To America, But It's Really All About The Beef
NPR | Posted onJune 1, 2017 in Federal NewsCooked chicken from birds grown and raised in China soon will be headed to America — in a trade deal that's really about beef.Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced Thursday night that the U.S. was greenlighting Chinese chicken imports and getting U.S. beef producers access to China's nearly 1.4 billion consumers. But the deal is raising concerns among critics who point to China's long history of food-safety scandals.The Chinese appetite for beef is huge and growing, but American beef producers have been locked out of that market since a case of mad cow disease cropped up in the U.S.
Labor Shortage Hits Pennsylvania’s Mushroom Country
The Wall Street Journal | Posted onJune 1, 2017 in Agriculture News“This is the worst it’s ever been,” said Tim Hihn, Mr. Pantoja’s boss and co-owner of C.P. Yeatman & Sons, Inc., which supplies Whole Foods Market stores under the Mother Earth brand. Mr. Hihn says he has 20 percent fewer workers than he needs to fully harvest his crop. To try to solve the labor shortage, growers have been increasing wages. Yeatman & Sons in January raised piece rates at one of its farms to $1 for every five-pound box of mushrooms from 82 cents for large mushrooms and 80 cents for medium.
Join us for Changes in Agriculture Law Webinar
State Agriculture and Rural Leaders | Posted onJune 1, 2017 in Agriculture, Food, Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsWebinar: Recent Developments in Agriculture & Food Law: Impacts on States
Wednesday, June 14 at 2:00 pm ET (1:00 pm CT)
State Agriculture and Rural Leaders is collaborating with the National Agriculture Law Center in a pilot webinar on recent developments in agriculture and food law. Agriculture and food law at the local, state and national level is changing constantly and impacting our farmers, food producers and rural residents.
He plowed his field; now he faces a $2.8 million fine
USA Today | Posted onJune 1, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsA farmer faces trial in federal court this summer and a $2.8 million fine for failing to get a permit to plow his field and plant wheat in Tehama County. A lawyer for Duarte Nursery said the case is important because it could set a precedent requiring other farmers to obtain costly, time-consuming permits just to plow.“The case is the first time that we’re aware of that says you need to get a (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) permit to plow to grow crops,” said Anthony Francois, a lawyer for the Pacific Legal Foundation.
Georgia lost nearly 80% of peach crop
US News and World Report | Posted onJune 1, 2017 in Agriculture NewsGeorgia's peach crop is suffering much worse than expected. Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday that nearly 80 percent of that state's peach crop has been wiped out this year. He says an overly warm winter and hard freeze in the early spring caused the loss in crops.Black says the lack of peaches could lead to a shorter season because farmers will not spend the money to ship their products out of the state.
The EPA just halted an Obama-era methane rule for oil and gas companies, 4 days before it would have taken effect
Business Insider | Posted onJune 1, 2017 in Energy, Federal NewsThe U.S.