AgClips
Recent AgClips
Trump’s Offshore Oil-Drilling Plan Sidelined Indefinitely
Wall Street Journal | Posted onMay 1, 2019 in Energy NewsThe Trump administration’s proposal to vastly expand offshore oil and gas drilling has been sidelined indefinitely as the Interior Department grapples with a recent court decision that blocks Arctic drilling, according to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt. The ruling by a federal judge in Alaska last month may force Interior Department officials to wait until the case goes through potentially lengthy appeals before they can make a final decision on what offshore areas to open up for the oil and gas industry,
Trump Administration Puts Offshore Drilling Plan On Hold After Setback In Court
npr | Posted onMay 1, 2019 in Energy NewsThe Trump administration is postponing controversial plans to greatly expand oil and gas drilling off of the nation's coasts, following a recent setback in court and months of pushback from coastal communities.
Corn Plantings Off to a Slow Start Again
The Poultry Site | Posted onMay 1, 2019 in Agriculture NewsCorn plantings are off to another slow start but that did not seem to provide much support to corn futures on Monday as all contracts lost ground. The nearby May corn futures closed at 3.695 $/bu, 6.6 cents lower than the close on Friday. December '09 and 10 March futures contracts fell 8.9 and 9 cents, respectively.
150K growers & 16M acres affected by Midwest flooding
Ag Daily | Posted onMay 1, 2019 in Agriculture NewsAs the Midwest continues to recover from the historic flooding, more information is being revealed on the aftermath. The Midwest flooding crisis has already damaged grain and potentially many grain bin structures and is expected to present problems into July, impacting the current planting season. A geospatial intersection of Farm Market iD’s land data with a flood map from March 16 to 24, 2019, showed that Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas are experiencing significant impacts from the flooding.
Growers face battle against herbicide resistance
Capital Press | Posted onMay 1, 2019 in Agriculture NewsIt takes a few ounces per acre of a herbicide containing glyphosate to kill the weed downy brome. At least, it’s supposed to.But when a farmer sent a sample of the weed to Washington State University professor Ian Burke’s lab, researchers determined it would take seven times the maximum label rate of the herbicide to kill it.That’s an extreme example of a problem that’s become more serious in recent years: herbicide resistance in weeds. For decades, farmers have relied on an array of herbicides to get rid of weeds that compete with their crops and drastically reduce yields.
Trade disputes take toll on beef, pork exports
Capital Press | Posted onMay 1, 2019 in Federal NewsThe trade wars with China and Mexico are cutting into U.S. exports of beef and pork. Pork exports were down 9% in volume and 17% in value year over year, the U.S. Meat Export Federation reported in its monthly trade tally.Beef exports declined 6% in volume and 3% in value. That’s a stark contrast to last year’s record-breaking performance, which brought a 7% increase in volume and a 15% increase in value.
Kansas, Missouri among latest states to debate refinancing for aging coal plants
Energy News Network | Posted onMay 1, 2019 in Energy NewsBills surfaced in both states that would let utilities refinance uneconomic power plants using ratepayer-backed bonds.
Louisiana Truth in Labeling Bill Moves Forward
Louisiana State Legisture | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsRead by title and passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House.Food manufacturers selling products such as "cauliflower rice" could face new labeling restrictions in Louisiana, under a bill in the Legislature.The Senate voted 34-0 Monday (April 22) for a “truth in labeling” measure that adds protections for meat, rice and sugar producers.Sen. Francis Thompson, a Delhi Democrat, says he wants to ensure consumers know what they're buying.His proposal is similar to legislation signed in Arkansas.
Nberaska Solar Schools Project
Kearney Hub | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in Energy, SARL Members and Alumni NewsNebraska Solar Schools has been awarded $31,250 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for a pilot project within its Solar Energy Education and Development Program: 100 Solar Energy Kits for 100 Nebraska Schools.The focus of the new pilot project is on K-12 schools in Nebraska towns and cities that have developed or plan to develop solar projects, including rooftop solar, solar farms or other installations.The cities and towns in the pilot project’s focus group include but are not limited to: Kearney, Lexington, Loup City, Ainsworth, Aurora, Central City, Chadron, Fremont, Gothenburg, Grand
Michigan climate action plans don't leave low-income households behind
Michigan Radio | Posted onApril 25, 2019 in NewsSome cities in Michigan are putting together climate change action plans. Part of that is making everything more energy efficient in order to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. One of the big concerns is making sure low-income households are not left behind.The state requires Michigan’s big utility companies to offer rebates for energy efficiency upgrades in homes.