AgClips
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Just the Facts: Rural Bankruptcies
Center for Rural Pennsylvania | Posted onMay 11, 2016 in Rural NewsRural bankruptcy filings are on the decline, according to data from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Data show that, from 2014 to 2015, there was a 2 percent decline in bankruptcy filings among rural Pennsylvania businesses and individuals. The data encompass a 12-month period ending in 2014 and a similar period ending in 2015.
State environmental department rejects federal overreach into agricultural operations
North Carolina Dept of Environmental Quality | Posted onMay 11, 2016 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsNorth Carolina environmental regulators are reversing the previous administration’s decision to bring poultry operations under federal regulation. The state environmental department will protect the agriculture industry from federal overreach by requiring poultry operations to be permitted by the state rather than by federal requirements.
HSUS forms advisory council, Ag Alliance says dont be fooled
Meatingplace | Posted onMay 11, 2016 in Agriculture NewsThe Humane Society of the United States HSUS has formed its own National Agriculture Advisory Council.
Council members include Kevin Fulton of Nebraska, Chris Petersen of Iowa, Mike Callicrate of Colorado, Pete Eshelman of Indiana, Paul Muegge of Oklahoma, Carrie Balkcom of Colorado, Will Harris of Georgia and Joe Logan of Ohio. The HSUS stated that it advocates reducing or replacing consumption of animal products, and refining diets.
Pa. funds food bank ag surplus system
Farm and Dairy | Posted onMay 11, 2016 in Food NewsA program to put food grown by Pennsylvania farmers into the charitable food system that was established six years ago — but never funded — will finally get off the ground thanks to first-ever funding through the 2015-16 state budget. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced April 12 the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank as the winning bidder to implement the program, known as the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System. The commonwealth’s final budget makes $1 million available to implement the program statewide.
New Hampshire has over 100 species of bees, researchers say
WMUR Channel 9 | Posted onMay 11, 2016 in Agriculture NewsUniversity of New Hampshire researchers say there are more 100 species of bees buzzing around the state and that some of them have never been documented. The university's Agricultural Experiment Station has completed its first assessment of the state's native bee population. Sandra Rehan, who oversees the UNH Bee Lab, said Monday that New Hampshire has a high "bee species richness" compared to other Northeastern states, such as Maine and Pennsylvania.
SARL member testifies: Dairy farmers need help with manure regulations
The Press | Posted onMay 11, 2016 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsA bill pending in the state legislature aims to help dairy farmers meet expected cost increases for implementing new manure regulations. The bill authorizes an income tax credit for Ohio livestock owners who make eligible investments in equipment and facilities for storing and handling manure as well as its application and transportation.
Tree removal for Minnesota solar project prompts legislative action
Nidwestern Energy News | Posted onMay 11, 2016 in Energy NewsIn addition to a countywide moratorium, a controversy over the removal of trees for a Minnesota solar project has prompted an amendment in the state legislature.
Kansas will suspend all work on Clean Power Plan
The Wichita Eagle | Posted onMay 11, 2016 in Energy NewsGov. Sam Brownback signed SB 318 Friday. The bill suspends “all state agency activities, studies, and investigations that are in furtherance of the preparation” of the plans that states are supposed to submit to the U.S. Environment Protection Agency as part of the Clean Power Plan.
The Clean Power Plan is an Obama administration initiative that sets a national goal of reducing carbon emissions by 32 percent of 2005 levels by 2030. Each state is required to submit a plan to the federal government on how to enact this under the policy.
Haley farm bill veto may mean hardships for S.C. farms
The Post and Courier | Posted onMay 11, 2016 in Agriculture NewsHaley vowed Saturday to veto a bill that creates the South Carolina Farm Aid Fund, which would set aside $40 million for farmers affected by October’s historic floods. “I will not support any bailout of any industry over any other industry that has suffered from this thousand-year flood,” Haley said Saturday at the state Republican Party convention. “I will veto that next week. We do not do bailouts in the state of South Carolina.”
No Peach Crop Likely This Year In Several New England States
Growing Produce | Posted onMay 11, 2016 in Agriculture NewsThe widespread crop loss was made possible after the warm winter left peach trees vulnerable to a sudden drop in temperature that occurred on Valentine’s Day.