AgClips
Recent AgClips
Missouri man hopes to convince state Supreme Court that 'farming' marijuana is legal
Springfield News Leader | Posted onOctober 2, 2017 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsMark Shanklin thinks he was well within his rights in June 2016 when a police officer knocked on his door after noting unusually high power usage at the St. Louis man's home. Shanklin "...was covered in dirt or potting soil and reeked of marijuana" when Detective Gregory Klipsch asked him to talk, and he consented to a search after consulting with his wife, according to court documents.
Utah residents ask Supreme Court to hear prairie dog case
The Salt Lake Tribune | Posted onOctober 2, 2017 in NewsResidents in southern Utah asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to hear their case claiming federal safeguards for Utah prairie dogs have prevented them from doing what they want with their private property.The rules block residents from building homes, starting businesses and even protecting playgrounds, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Property Owners argue in their case.“Some own lots in residential subdivisions where they planned to build homes, but prairie dogs moved in first and the regulation forbids permits for their property,” attorneys wrote.
Washington lifts kill order on Smackout Pack after two attack-free months
Capital Press | Posted onOctober 2, 2017 in Agriculture NewsThe Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife won’t kill any more wolves from the Smackout Pack, because the predators haven’t attacked any cattle for two months. Under the state’s wolf plan and protocols, department director Jim Unsworth can authorize “an incremental removal of wolves,” said Donny Martorello, wolf policy lead for WDFW.
Massive, unregulated networks move dogs into Virginia to save them from death.
The Virginian Pilot | Posted onOctober 2, 2017 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThese volunteers spend their time and money to rescue dogs from municipal shelters by shuttling them to fosters or adopters in other parts of the country. They see it as a win for everyone – it eases overcrowding at shelters, keeps dogs from being euthanized and loving families get pets. But there are no laws in the U.S. about tracking dogs moving across state lines. Rescue groups say they self-police and emphasize transparency, but critics say the lack of regulation may put adopters at risk if they unwittingly take in dogs with behavioral problems.
Want to Know What Divides This Country? Come to Alabama
The New York Times | Posted onOctober 2, 2017 in Federal, Rural News“Just wow,” Peggy and Mark Kennedy said to each other last week in Montgomery, Ala. On the TV, Roy Moore had just pulled a little pistol from a pocket of his cowboy costume to show his love for the Second Amendment. The next night he won the Republican nomination in the race to be their next senator. Peggy, née Wallace, braced for a new round of interviews, having often been asked during the presidential campaign to compare Donald Trump with her father, the segregationist governor George C. Wallace.
Senators press agriculture rural development assistant on funding, FCC relationship
The Fence Post | Posted onOctober 2, 2017 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsAnne Hazlett, assistant to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on rural development, came under pressure Sept. 28 from several senators on whether she will push for money for programs President Donald Trump proposed eliminating and on whether the USDA will formally weigh in with the Federal Communications Commission on fixed versus wireless broadband internet access.
New Zealand producers frustrated by cage-free pledges
Watt Ag Net | Posted onOctober 2, 2017 in Agriculture NewsNew Zealand’s egg producers have branded as “unfair” the recent decision by two of the country’s leading supermarkets to sell only cage-free eggs in future. Producers face financial ruin, and consumers will lose their preferred option for eggs.Around six months ago, national retailer, Countdown, announced plans to sell only cage-free eggs by the end of 2024 in the North Island and by a year later across the rest of the country. The move followed criticism that it’s undertaking to sell only its own egg brand as cage-free from 2022 did not go far enough.
Broiler welfare: GAP stocking density rules infographic
Watt Ag Net | Posted onOctober 2, 2017 in Agriculture NewsIn order for broiler producers to become GAP certified, one area the producer must address is the flock’s stocking density. While all five steps of certification for stocking density call for chickens to have enough space to express natural behaviors – including standing, turning around and preening – without touching another chicken, the requirements differ at different steps.For purposes related to the GAP 5-Step certification program, stocking densities are calculated based on the final target weight of all chickens per flock per area at the time of catching.
Stagnant farm economy slows growth in Iowa, Nebraska
Des Moines Register | Posted onOctober 2, 2017 in Agriculture NewsA stagnant farm economy that has slowed Nebraska and Iowa's income growth to the lowest levels in the nation is also contributing to state budget problems that could linger through next year, officials said. Key lawmakers from both states said they're concerned the agricultural downturn will persist, ripping through other sectors and putting additional strain on their budgets.Declining farm income was the leading cause of the slowdown in many states, including Iowa and Nebraska, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Tenth Circuit says Wyoming trespass statute implicated First Amendment
Texas A&M | Posted onSeptember 29, 2017 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsThe United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has held that the First Amendment is applicable to a Wyoming statute that prohibits crossing private property to collect resource data. The statute, which would prohibit a variety of acts such as photographing, videoing, sampling, or otherwise gathering data on water, soil, and animals, was challenged by several plaintiffs who claimed it violated their free speech rights. The trial court dismissed the case, finding that the collection of data was not “speech” such that the First Amendment was implicated. The Tenth Circuit reversed,