AgClips
Recent AgClips
A nation in overdose peril: Pinpointing the most impacted communities and the local gaps in care
Brookings | Posted onOctober 5, 2017 in Rural NewsAs staggering as the climb in the nation’s overdose death rate has been, the deepening crisis has hit some populations even harder. Older, working-age adults and non-Hispanic whites experienced faster-than-average increases in drug overdose death rates during the 2000s, growing by factors of 5 and 3.5, respectively. New research by Alan B.
Nevada marijuana sales hit $27 million in first month
Reno Gazette Journal | Posted onOctober 5, 2017 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsNevada took a gamble on recreational marijuana, and it’s paying off. Dispensaries sold $27.1 million of pot in Nevada, in July alone. That's almost double what both Coloradoand Oregon sold in their first months. It's almost seven times what Washington sold. Banking on weed, Nevada made $10.2 million off the fledgling industry during the first month of sales in July, according to the Nevada Department of Taxation. Of that, $6.5 million came from industry fees and $3.68 million came from tax revenue.Gov.
Government jobs sprouting as legal pot looms in California
AP | Posted onOctober 5, 2017 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsScientists. Tax collectors. Typists. Analysts. Lawyers. And more scientists. Recreational marijuana use becomes legal in California in 2018, and one of the things to blossom in the emerging industry isn’t green and leafy - it’s government jobs.The state is on a hiring binge to fill what eventually will be hundreds of new government positions by 2019 intended to bring order to the legal pot economy, from keeping watch on what’s seeping into streams near cannabis grows to running background checks on storefront sellers who want government licenses.
Hurricane exposes and washes away thousands of sea turtle nests
Science Daily | Posted onOctober 5, 2017 in Rural NewsMarine biologists have released estimates of sea turtle nests lost to Hurricane Irma, finding that 56 percent of green turtle nests and 24 percent of loggerhead nests were lost within Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. Both are endangered species. The losses put a damper on what had been a record year for green turtle nesting.
New Road Bump for US, Cuba Relations Puts Louisiana Trade Ambitions on Hold
Voice of Louisiana | Posted onOctober 5, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal, SARL Members and Alumni NewsLouisiana leaders see great possibility – and lots of money – in potential trade with Cuba. However, a new wedge between the U.S. and the island nation has put that dream in jeopardy. “It's a little bit distressing to see that we are now de-evolving in our relationship,” said Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
Perdue: Japan is No. 1 target for new FTA
Agri-Pulse | Posted onOctober 5, 2017 in Federal NewsThe U.S. needs to improve trade relationships with Pacific Rim countries where competitors like Australia and the European Union have advantages over U.S. exporters, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said today. Japan is the first target for new bilateral talks, Perdue stressed.
Censky, McKinney Confirmations Praised
National Hog Farmers | Posted onOctober 5, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsUSDA’s offices continue to fill up as two more key leadership positions were confirmed by the U.S. Senate last night. Stephen Censky was confirmed as USDA’s deputy secretary and Ted McKinney as undersecretary of trade and foreign agricultural affairs. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue praises the Senate’s confirmations, issuing the following statement.“I commend the Senate for confirming these two experienced, prepared and capable nominees, who will provide the steady leadership we need at USDA.
Farmers for America Documentary
Leave it Better | Posted onOctober 5, 2017 in Agriculture NewsThe documentary traces the extraordinary changes coming to America’s food system as more and more consumers flock to farmers’ markets, embrace farm-to-table lifestyles and insist on knowing where their food is coming from. At the center of the film are the farmers, young and old, who provide the spirit and energy to bring urban and rural America together over what both share in common: our food. These farmers reflect nothing less than the face of America.
2016 National Beef Quality Audit shows room for improvement
High Plans Journal | Posted onOctober 5, 2017 in Agriculture, Food NewsAfter years of trying to improve beef cattle, have we made enough progress yet? That question was asked and answered in the 2016 National Beef Quality Audit, the most recent since 2011.For those waiting for the answer, it’s still “no,” Mark McCully said. The Certified Angus Beef brand’s vice president of supply grants cattle are better, but there’s plenty of room for improvement. The NBQA cites a lost opportunity of $15.75 per head in quality grade alone. A glance at actual beef grades vs.
WI:Proposed changes offer a soul-searching moment for co-ops
Wisconsin State Farmer | Posted onOctober 5, 2017 in Agriculture NewsA packed legislative hearing in Madison last week was a good reminder of what is beautiful about cooperatives. It also revealed a lot about what is broken. The topic of that hearing was Assembly Bill 353, a bill that would allow co-ops to make some fairly un-democratic changes to their bylaws – provided that co-op members vote democratically to do so.