AgClips
Recent AgClips
Court requires CAFOs to report air emissions
Meatingplace (free registration required) | Posted onApril 13, 2017 in Federal NewsThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has thrown out a 2008 final rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that had exempted concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) from reporting when large quantities of hazardous materials such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide are released into the air from animal waste. EPA had reasoned that such reports were unnecessary because a federal response was “impractical and unlikely,” the appeals court noted in its ruling.
Alabama's new governor plans to abolish Office of Rural Development
WHNT | Posted onApril 13, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsGovernor Ivy said "Rural Alabama is near and dear to my heart. Don't forget I'm from rural Wilcox County. My decision to shutter the Office of Rural Development will refocus rural development efforts into existing agencies." The previous governor, who just resigned, launched the Alabama Rural Development Office in 2011 to "improve and advance education, health care and economic development in rural areas of Alabama." It replaced two other state commissions, the Black Belt Action Commission and the Alabama Rural Action Commission.
Asian rescue dogs quarantined with canine influenza
Los Angeles Daily News | Posted onApril 13, 2017 in NewsLos Angeles Animal Services reported today that multiple dogs recently imported from Asia by a rescue group were infected with canine influenza, but all of the dogs are in quarantine and there have been no further reports of infections. Canine influenza is a highly contagious upper respiratory viral disease in dogs and cats, and typically will cause a persistent cough that can last for 10 to 21 days. Symptoms may also include nasal discharge, fever, sneezing, lethargy and appetite loss. The animals do not usually respond to antibiotics or cough suppressants, according to L.A.
Tiny, family-run Iowa newspaper wins Pulitzer for taking on agriculture companies
The Guardian | Posted onApril 13, 2017 in Rural NewsA small-town Iowa newspaper with a staff of 10 people - most of whom are related to each other – has won a Pulitzer Prize for taking on powerful agricultural companies over farm pollution. Art Cullen, who owns the Storm Lake Times with his brother John, acknowledged it wasn’t easy taking on agriculture in a state like Iowa where you see hundreds of miles of farm fields in every direction. The Cullens lost a few friends and a few advertisers, but never doubted they were doing the right thing.
Canada says don't blame it for Wisconsin dairy woes
milw | Posted onApril 13, 2017 in Agriculture NewsCanada says it’s being wrongly blamed for a decision by a major dairy processor that could put some Wisconsin farms out of business in less than three weeks.At issue are changes in Canadian policy that make it harder for U.S. dairy processors — such as Grassland Dairy Products of Greenwood — to sell ultra-filtered milk, used to make cheese, in Canada.The policies are “choking off sales of American milk to the detriment of U.S. dairy farmers,” said Tom Vilsack, former U.S. Agriculture Secretary and now president of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.
Your farm is trying to kill you
Politico | Posted onApril 13, 2017 in Agriculture NewsFarming is one of the most dangerous occupations in America, with 22 of every 100,000 farmers dying in a work-related accident. Farmers are nearly twice as likely to die on the job as police officers are, five times as likely as firefighters, and 73 times as likely as Wall Street bankers. Farming death rates may be high, but the injury rates are even higher. In 2014, the most recent year for which data are available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated there were 58,000 adult farm injuries — nearly 6,000 more than the number of U.S.
WI:Gov. Scott Walker's budget proposal axes state farm-to-school post
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Posted onApril 13, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsFor as long as it lasts, food and nutrition director Shelley Juedes brings in a bountiful array of fresh produce: scrumptious apples from nearby Rim's Edge Orchard and fresh vegetables — broccoli, onions, potatoes and more — from longtime area farmer Lenny Semerad. "What a major difference it is to have that fresh produce instead of getting it from a vendor where it might have sat in a warehouse for weeks," said Juedes, who would like to increase what she buys from local farmers if she could figure out how to do it."It's fresher. It looks more appetizing," she said.
Zoonotic rat lungworm infection spreading through US
Smart Brief | Posted onApril 11, 2017 in Agriculture NewsSix human cases of rat lungworm brain infestations of humans have been reported on the Hawaiian island of Maui in three months, compared with two cases over the previous decade, and health officials are concerned. The parasite, which is endemic in parts of the contiguous US and spreading, likely came from Asia via ships, and globalization still plays a role in its spread. It's transmitted to humans via intermediate snail or slug hosts.
NIFA Announces $2.4 Million to Relieve Veterinary Shortages
Bovine Vet Online | Posted onApril 11, 2017 in Federal NewsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced $2.4 million in available funding to relieve veterinarian shortage situations and support veterinary services. Funding is made through NIFA's Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.
China agrees again to allow U.S. beef, ending ban since 2003
Meatingplace (free registration required) | Posted onApril 11, 2017 in Federal NewsChina has agreed once more to allow U.S. beef exports to that country, ending a ban in effect since 2003. The deal was struck over the weekend between President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping. The opportunity for U.S. beef exporters could be significant. Global AgriTrends calculates the greater China region (China, Hong Kong, Vietnam) as a $7 billion dollar market, according to Stephens Inc. analyst Farha Aslam.In a note to investors, Aslam cautioned, however, that China has twice before agreed to grant market access to U.S.