AgClips
Recent AgClips
Outdoor Recreation Now the Largest Sector of Montana’s Economy
Wild Montana | Posted onAugust 9, 2017 in Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsGovernor Bullock's Office of Outdoor Recreation now makes more sense than ever, as does taking good care of our public lands.
Trump’s Stalled Trade Agenda Leaves Industries in the Lurch
The New York Times | Posted onAugust 9, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsAfter beginning his presidency with a bang by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership pact in January, Mr. Trump has accomplished little else of significance when it comes to reorienting deals with other countries. Instead, his administration has been struggling to work through the complicated rules that dictate international commerce.
Recent USDA Updates Provide Snapshot of Farm Economy Variables
Farm Doc Daily | Posted onAugust 9, 2017 in Agriculture NewsLast week, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released three important updates that provide current insight into the state of the U.S. agricultural economy. The releases focused on land values, cash rents, and production expenditures. Meanwhile, USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) recently updated its monthly agricultural trade data, and on Monday, included an article related to farm household income in its Amber Waves magazine publication.
Fieldale Farms chicken price fixing settlement could be good news for others
Meatingplace (free registration required) | Posted onAugust 9, 2017 in Agriculture, Food NewsChicken processor Fieldale Farms has proposed to pay $2.25 million to settle its part in a lawsuit involving 14 chicken processors, according to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for Northern District of Illinois. Attorneys from law firms representing Maplevale Farms of Falconer, N.Y., said at the time that companies including Tyson Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, Perdue Farms, Sanderson Farms and several others worked together to artificially reduce broiler chicken supplies in the U.S. marketplace knowing that supply reductions would boost prices.
Mexican court rules against U.S. spud industry
Capital Press | Posted onAugust 9, 2017 in Federal NewsA Mexican federal court has made an unusual ruling that bans the importation of U.S. potatoes on the grounds the imports violate Mexicans’ right to food sovereignty and a healthy environment. A group of Mexican potato growers had sought a constitutional injunction on the imports, claiming they threaten to spread agricultural diseases.
Rural families rely more on food stamps than those in metro areas
New York Daily News | Posted onAugust 8, 2017 in Federal, Rural NewsRural Americans are increasingly reliant on food stamps to make ends meet each month — and their usage outstrips that of urban residents, a new study found. Nationally, food stamp participation is highest overall among households in rural areas (16%) and small towns (16%) compared to metro counties (13%).In 23% of rural counties, at least 20% of households participate in the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, meaning they get monthly food stamps to help them purchase certain types of food.
Maryland chicken CAFO can proceed
Delmarva Now | Posted onAugust 8, 2017 in Agriculture NewsA circuit court judge in Wicomico County, Maryland, on Thursday blocked an environmental group's attempt to stop a chicken farm west of Salisbury from becoming the area’s largest. The ruling upheld a Wicomico appeals board decision not to hear the case because the Salisbury-based Concerned Citizens Against Industrial CAFOs had failed to submit its initial paperwork on time.
Programs help Michigan food, agriculture companies to expand
Crains Detroit | Posted onAugust 8, 2017 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsSteve Cooper recently added a butter production line at the dairy processing facility in Ottawa County where he is general manager, a $50 million project. He hired 10 people. To keep pace as Michigan farmers produce more milk each year, Cooper's company, Continental Dairy Facilities LLC, needed more wastewater treatment capacity to handle the increased volume. It can churn out 300,000 pounds of milk powder and 42,000 gallons of cream every day.
Assemblymen reach across aisle for agriculture
Lodi News | Posted onAugust 8, 2017 in Agriculture, Rural, SARL Members and Alumni NewsOn paper, Assemblymen Jim Cooper, a Democrat from Elk Grove representing California’s 9th District and Heath Flora, a Republican from Ripon representing the 12th District should be political adversaries.
Record heat, continued winter fallout flummox Calif. growers
Capital Press | Posted onAugust 8, 2017 in Agriculture NewsOne of the wettest winters in California history is being followed by one of the hottest summers, causing growers to encounter damage and complications to crops from both weather extremes.