AgClips
Recent AgClips
Groups Line Up Arrows at EPA Over RFS Implementation
DTN | Posted onFebruary 6, 2017 in Energy NewsThe future of how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency implements the Renewable Fuel Standard is at the epicenter of a federal court case set for oral arguments April 24 in Washington, D.C. This week a number of groups filed briefs with the U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit challenging EPA's management of the RFS on a number of fronts. Though Congress may at some point consider changing the RFS, the lawsuit originally filed by Americans for Clean Energy attempts to force the agency to apply the law as the groups believe was intended.
House panel OKs higher pay out for deer, elk damage
Capital Press | Posted onFebruary 6, 2017 in Rural NewsLawmakers are considering legislation to double the maximum payout for crops lost to deer and elk and also compensate farmers for damage by the ungulates to fences and irrigation systems. Instead of $10,000, a Washington farmer could receive up to $20,000 a year under a program administered by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. House Bill 1399 also would raise the damage threshold for filing a claim to $1,500 from $1,000. Farmers who have worked with WDFW to prevent damage by deer and elk are eligible to file claims.
Proliferation of bird flu outbreaks raises risk of human pandemic
Reuters | Posted onFebruary 6, 2017 in Rural NewsThe global spread of bird flu and the number of viral strains currently circulating and causing infections have reached unprecedented levels, raising the risk of a potential human outbreak, according to disease experts. Multiple outbreaks have been reported in poultry farms and wild flocks across Europe, Africa and Asia in the past three months.
Second state moves to require country-of-origin labeling
Meatingplace (free registration required) | Posted onFebruary 6, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsOn the heels of the introduction of a bill in South Dakota that would require retail beef products sold in the state to bear a country-of-origin label, a committee in the Wyoming House has approved a similar bill. A majority of House Agriculture Committee members voted in favor of sending House Bill 198 to the full House of Representatives.
Lenders expect financial stress to worsen for farmers, ranchers
High Plains Journal | Posted onFebruary 4, 2017 in Agriculture NewsAccording to a recent study of lenders, financial stress on farmers is expected to continue for some time. “Our research indicates a continued deterioration in agricultural credit conditions,” said Allen Featherstone, head of the Kansas State University Department of Agricultural Economics.
Dispelling myths about pig farms and pork
Watt Ag Net | Posted onFebruary 4, 2017 in Agriculture NewsUse analogies. Most people don’t raise pigs, especially not at a commercial scale, so they have little familiarity with farming activities or concepts. Using analogies can help people understand what goes on at a modern pig farm or pork processing plant. Let people see and touch. As with analogies, explaining complex topics can be easier using models that people can touch and interact with.
John Block: Trade
OFW Law | Posted onFebruary 4, 2017 in Federal NewsI want to focus on trade today. From agriculture’s perspective, it is extremely important. 25% of ag income comes from products sold to other countries. Production from 1 out of every 3 acres is exported. Agriculture has a positive trade balance of more than $30 billion. As positive as our ag trade balance is, total U.S.
Utah bill seeks jail time for flying drones near livestock
KUTV | Posted onFebruary 4, 2017 in SARL Members and Alumni NewsA Utah lawmaker wants to send people to jail for harassing farm animals with drones, all-terrain vehicles and even dogs through a proposal that's unique in the U.S. and has gained an unlikely opponent. Republican Rep. Scott Chew, who's also a rancher, said Tuesday that he introduced the bill because farmers incur significant costs and hardships when livestock are injured.
What all those dead trees mean for the Sierra Nevada
LA Times | Posted onFebruary 4, 2017 in Rural NewsThe U.S. Forest Service estimates that since 2010, more than 102 million drought-stressed and beetle-ravaged trees have died across 7.7 million acres of California forest. More than half of those died last year alone. Exacerbated by anti-wildfire policies that produced a crowded forest more vulnerable to drought, the massive dieback is unprecedented in the recorded history of the Sierra. The beetle epidemic is transforming the 4,500-foot to 6,000-foot elevation band of the central and southern range for decades to come, if not permanently.
EU, Mexico to Speed up Trade Talks Amid Trump Fallout
ABC News | Posted onFebruary 4, 2017 in Federal NewsThe European Union will speed up talks with Mexico on a new trade agreement amid signals from U.S. President Donald Trump that he intends to renegotiate major international trade pacts including one with Mexico. EU and Mexico trade chiefs have agreed to hold negotiations on April 3-7 and June 26-29. They will also meet between rounds to push for further progress. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom and Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said in a statement that "we are witnessing the worrying rise of protectionism around the world.