AgClips
Recent AgClips
DTN/The Progressive Farmer Survey Shows a New Hope
DTN | Posted onJanuary 12, 2017 in Agriculture NewsFarmers have put a tremendous amount of hope into the new presidential administration, one that built its candidacy on throwing out the political party which had "Hope" as a central theme. That's really the only way to interpret the results of the latest DTN/The Progressive Farmer Agricultural Confidence Index, based on responses from 500 farmers from across the United States. Answers farmers gave to an early December survey produced an Ag Confidence Index of 98, up considerably from the 72 rating in August, and up from the 75.1 rating farmers set in December 2015.
Animal rights activists disrupt 2017 Pa. Farm Show opening ceremony
Penn Live | Posted onJanuary 12, 2017 in Agriculture NewsAnimal rights activists interrupted Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf's opening speech Saturday at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
2016 a big year for agribusiness mergers and acquisitions
Watt Ag Net | Posted onJanuary 12, 2017 in Agriculture News2016 was a busy year for mergers and acquisitions in the poultry, pig and animal feed industries. Here is a review of the more than 100 deals WATTAgNet reported on last year. Aviagen Turkeys acquiring France’s Le Sayec. Zoetis to sell some animal health brands, manufacturing unit. Pestell Minerals & Ingredients acquires Agri-Feed Products Ltd. Pancosma & Associates acquires Btech. BRF finalizes acquisition in Qatar. Packaging companies Hamer, Fischbein Americas merge. Alltech completes acquisition of Masterfeeds. Nutreco completes acquisition of Micronutrients..
Confusion over cage-free egg pledges continues
Watt Ag Net | Posted onJanuary 12, 2017 in Food NewsIt’s been said and blogged before that many, if not all, of the cage-free purchase pledges made by restaurant companies are a little vague, if not confusing. When a company says it will source “100 percent cage-free eggs” they don’t typically define what cage-free means. They also often don’t specify exactly what products to be sold and served will contain cage-free eggs. A recent press release issued by Taco Bell, a Yum! Brands subsidiary, illustrates the latter.
Farmers Aligned With Trump Campaign Object to Megamergers
Wall Street Journal | Posted onJanuary 12, 2017 in Federal NewsSome farm-belt advisers to the Trump campaign say they want the president-elect to put the brakes on agriculture-industry consolidation. Some farm-state advisers to President-elect Donald Trump are speaking out against a wave of mergers among global seed and pesticide companies, warning they could boost the prices farmers pay. The advisers, including state officials and farmers, warn that consolidation will leave farmers with fewer choices among suppliers and shift a large portion of critical agricultural research to foreign ownership.
Destructive beetle infests Maui coffee farm
Washington Times | Posted onJanuary 12, 2017 in Agriculture NewsA beetle that can destroy up to a third of a coffee berry crop has made its way to Maui. The state Agriculture Department confirmed the coffee berry borer has infested a 13-acre farm on the island. Department entomologists said the farm’s infestation indicates the beetle has been there for some time.
Federal Magistrate Sides with Producers in Montana Beef Checkoff Lawsuit
Texas A&M | Posted onJanuary 12, 2017 in Federal NewsThe Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund (“R-CALF”) and the United Stockgrowers of America have likely survived a motion to dismiss their case against USDA challenging the beef checkoff and obtained an injunction against the Montana Beef Council (“MBC”) to prevent it spending money received from the federal Beef Checkoff Board on promotion.
Improved Restricted Class B CDL Policy Provides Greater Flexibility For Agricultural Retailers
WBIW | Posted onJanuary 12, 2017 in Agriculture NewsThe Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced new seasonal options available for the Restricted Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL), which will provide greater flexibility for producers and agricultural retailers. The new policy will take effect on Feb. 1, 2017. "During the planting and harvest seasons, those in agriculture have enough to worry about without making it tougher for them to get the proper CDL," said BMV Commissioner Kent Abernathy.
Monsanto Didn't Cause Farmer Suicides In India
American Council of Science and Health | Posted onJanuary 12, 2017 in Agriculture NewsOf the many lies spread about Monsanto over the years, perhaps none is so malevolent as the claim that the seed giant is to blame for farmer suicides in India. This falsehood, spread by anti-biotechnology activists like Vandana Shiva but debunked a couple of years ago, is still parroted by credulous left-wing outlets such as Think Progress and supposedly credible news sites like Deutsche Welle.
Oklahoma Wildlife Department plans to provide more hunting, fishing opportunities through new 'walk-in' program
The Oklahoman | Posted onJanuary 12, 2017 in Agriculture NewsMore land for hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing will be available to Oklahoma sportsmen and women beginning Sept. 1. That's when the Oklahoma Land Access Program begins through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, a program that pays private landowners to allow public access to their properties for recreational use such as hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing. Where the properties will be and how many there will be remain to be seen. State wildlife officials have been negotiating with private landowners, but no legal agreements have been finalized.