AgClips
Recent AgClips
Canada needs to seek renewed, expanded agricultural trade framework
Winnipeg Free Press | Posted onJune 16, 2016 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsThere’s no doubt trade is critically important to the agricultural economy, particularly in places such as Manitoba where the productivity of farmers far exceeds the appetite of the resident population. As the province’s Minister of Agriculture Ralph Eichler pointed out Tuesday in his presentation to the Senate committee studying agricultural trade, two-thirds of the food products manufactured in Manitoba leave the province. Improved market access and fair trade rules are important.
Corn Growers Urged to Contact EPA on Atrazine
Hoosier Ag Today | Posted onJune 16, 2016 in Agriculture NewsThe National Corn Growers Association urged farmers to submit comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, following publication of the Agency’s draft Ecological Risk Assessment for atrazine, an herbicide used for weed control in growing corn and other crops. If it stands, EPA’s recommendation would effectively ban the use of atrazine in most farming areas in the U.S. Atrazine is a widely used herbicide proven to combat the spread of resistant weeds, while also reducing soil erosion and improving wildlife habitats.
A Map Of Where Your Food Originated May Surprise You
NPR | Posted onJune 16, 2016 in Food NewsA new study reveals the full extent of globalization in the world's food supply. The researchers put together a series of interactives that visualize the results. The idea that crop plants have centers of origin, where they were originally domesticated, goes back to the 1920s and the great Russian plant explorer Nikolai Vavilov. He reasoned that the region where a crop had been domesticated would be marked by the greatest diversity of that crop, because farmers there would have been selecting different types for the longest time.
Tyson Foods Names Tom Hayes as President
Wall Street Journal | Posted onJune 16, 2016 in Food NewsTyson Foods has named Tom Hayes president, a move reflecting the company’s increased emphasis on branded, packaged foods. Chief Executive Donnie Smith previously held the president title. Mr. Smith said in a statement that Mr. Hayes, who was chief commercial officer, has “played a key role in creating a united company and in our continued development of our branded products.” Mr. Hayes was chief supply chain officer at Hillshire Brands at the time of Tyson’s $7.7 billion purchase of Hillshire in 2014.
VT:Energy-siting bill signed into law
Times Argus | Posted onJune 16, 2016 in Energy NewsSigned Monday afternoon, S. 260 is Gov. Peter Shumlin’s last bill. He said the bill addresses criticism of weak local control over wind and solar-energy projects, while simultaneously supporting the growth of green-energy infrastructure. The bill’s passage comes about a week after Shumlin vetoed S. 230, a very similar bill related to energy projects. On Thursday, the House and Senate pushed the bill S. 260 — essentially an updated version of S. 230 — through in one day.
Oregon Could Widen Carbon Trading across North America
Scientific American | Posted onJune 16, 2016 in NewsOregon regulators are studying how to design an economywide carbon cap-and-trade system that would be able to link with other similar programs in neighboring states and provinces. While a bill to actually implement a cap-and-trade system eluded state lawmakers in the legislative session that ended in March, they did direct the state Department of Environmental Quality to study "a market-based approach to controlling greenhouse gas emissions." DEQ staff are beginning the study now and said Friday that they plan to start with the assumption that they would be linking markets with California
California's cap-and-trade program faces daunting hurdles to avoid collapse
Los Angeles Times | Posted onJune 16, 2016 in Energy NewsThe linchpin of California’s climate change agenda, a program known as cap and trade, has become mired in legal, financial and political troubles that threaten to derail the state’s plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The program has been a symbol of the state’s leadership in the fight against global warming and a key source of funding, most notably for the high-speed rail project connecting San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Delaware rolls out health care reform
Delawareonline | Posted onJune 16, 2016 in Rural NewsDelaware is plagued with numerous health care issues. There are shortages of psychiatrists and dentists, and the general health of the state's population is less than stellar, ranking 32nd in the nation, according to the United Health Foundation. But one of the most urgent problems, experts say, is the cost to the state for providing care. Doctors, hospital officials, insurance companies, patient advocates and policy analysts are now working to change Delaware's costly and very sickly path.
Monique, the hen who is sailing around the world
BBC | Posted onJune 16, 2016 in Rural NewsTwo years at sea have fostered a close relationship between the two fellow sailors as they cross the globe, through warm weather and cold. One is a 24-year-old male. The other is a hen. Guirec Soudee - the 24-year-old - is the one who does most of the hard work on board the boat. Monique is the hen, who spends most of her time admiring the view from the deck, and laying the occasional egg. Guirec had planned to bring along a pet for company, but a hen wasn't originally on the cards. "I thought about a cat, but decided it would be too much effort to look after it," he says.
State reports animal plague and tularemia in NM
Las Cruces Sun News | Posted onJune 16, 2016 in Rural NewsHealth officials say there have been 10 cases of plague and 19 cases of tularemia in dogs and cats in New Mexico so far this year. Recent rabbit deaths from tularemia also have been confirmed in the Santa Fe and Eldorado areas of Santa Fe County.