AgClips
Recent AgClips
Florida’s about-face on solar power
Christian Sciene Monitor | Posted onFebruary 14, 2019 in Energy NewsDespite being the Sunshine State, Florida has long lagged when it comes to tapping into the abundant rays overhead.
There is a better way to grow plants for biofuel
Futurity | Posted onFebruary 14, 2019 in NewsStrategies to produce high yields of biomass for fuels are not a one-size-fits-all proposition, according to a new study. In their 10-year experiment, the researchers explored alternative ways to generate biomass, but with fewer environmental and economic side effects. Moderate treatments with a low rate of nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation water resulted in the best biomass yields and carbon storage—twice the yield and storage of untreated plots.
Cider bill would eliminate 15-acre orchard requirement
Capital Press | Posted onFebruary 14, 2019 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsCompanies could produce fewer than 100,000 gallons of cider on Oregon farmland without locating near orchards under a bill that’s drawn fire for potentially disrupting agriculture. In 2017, Oregon lawmakers allowed cider manufacturers to operate in “exclusive farm use” zones as long as the companies own or contract with adjacent orchards.Such businesses must be on or next to orchards of at least 15 acres if they generate fewer than 100,000 gallons of cider a year and 40 acres if they produce more than that amount.Rep.
South Dakota House OKs industrial hemp bill despite Noem's call for delay
Rapid City Journal | Posted onFebruary 14, 2019 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsState representatives overwhelmingly advanced legislation to legalize industrial hemp in South Dakota, just days after Republican Gov. Kristi Noem asked lawmakers to shelve the efforts this session.The 65-2 House vote came after Noem said in a statement that South Dakota isn't ready for the production of industrial hemp, contending questions remain about enforcement, taxpayer costs and effects on public safety. But House Majority Leader Lee Qualm urged support and said it's time to move forward with hemp.
South Dakota looks to ‘dramatically lower’ cost of vet school
Rapid City Journal | Posted onFebruary 14, 2019 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsWithout a veterinary school in South Dakota, legislators are looking at ways to make it easier on the student loans for students wanting to pursue a veterinary degree and help fill the shortage of rural vets.On Jan. 29, the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee discussed the proposed 2+2 veterinary school program between South Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota.The deal would replace the agreement with Iowa State University, which has been in place for around 25 years.
More pets getting stoned on marijuana
Metro West | Posted onFebruary 14, 2019 in Agriculture NewsBe careful where you stash your weed brownies. The legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts has come with a surge of edible products, giving an alternative to consumers and patients who don’t necessarily want to smoke, vape or take the drug otherwise.But humans are not the only ones drawn to baked goodies, and veterinarians say there’s been a recent spike in the number of emergency room visits by pets who have consumed marijuana products.“We started seeing it a lot when it was first legalized and even more now,” said Dr. Kiko Bracker, a veterinarian at MSPCA-Angell.
Commercial breeders dump dogs amid Ohio’s new ‘puppy mill’ rules
The Columbus Dispatch | Posted onFebruary 14, 2019 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsWest, a retired truck driver who lives in Champaign County west of Columbus, is part of a volunteer network that rescues unwanted dogs from commercial breeding operations — many in the Amish areas of Holmes, Knox and Coshocton counties — and finds people to adopt them.
Pesticide exposure linked to poor sense of smell
Science Daily | Posted onFebruary 14, 2019 in Agriculture NewsA Michigan State University study is the first to show an association between unusually high pesticide exposure and poor sense of smell among aging farmers.
Swine fever spreads in Japan, 15,000 pigs to be culled
Reuters | Posted onFebruary 14, 2019 in Federal NewsJapan’s swine fever outbreak has spread to five prefectures including Osaka, and more than 10,000 pigs will be culled as part of measures to prevent further contagion, the government said. This is a different strain from the deadly African swine fever China has been battling, an agriculture ministry official said.
Steel Tariffs and the Law of Unintended Consequences
Egg-News | Posted onFebruary 14, 2019 in NewsAny egg producer intending to erect new housing will appreciate the escalation of the cost of steel as a result of tariffs imposed on imports. The intent of the tariffs was to "bring back the U.S.