AgClips
Recent AgClips
Women earn nearly half the doctorates in ag sciences, but gaining limited stature
University of Florida | Posted onDecember 29, 2016 in Agriculture NewsDespite earning 44 percent of the doctorates in agricultural sciences, women hold just 23 percent of the tenure-track faculty positions at U.S. land-grant institutions, according to a new study led by a research team at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Although the 23 percent is nearly double the 12 percent reported in 2005, females hold very few administrative positions in agricultural academia, the study shows.
Make a resolution to educate our non-farm cousins about how we produce their food
Michigan State University Extension | Posted onDecember 29, 2016 in Agriculture NewsAs farmers, you can become a resource for your friends and relatives. People are more likely to trust those they know, and in particular, those who are involved in an area that they want to learn something about. Your cousins and friends may look to you as part of their tribe and a resource for facts about food production. There are a number of reasons why individuals may have concerns or questions about food production.
Farmer turned lawyer helps make Iowa wind power go
Des Moines Register | Posted onDecember 29, 2016 in Energy NewsBefore many of the approximately 3,700 turbines dotting Iowa's fields and prairies went up, Des Moines real estate attorney Kathleen Law drafted those documents, sometimes working the phones to answer questions from farmers about the effects wind farms might have on their crops and livestock. She works behind the scenes on behalf of wind-energy developers. But some credit the Iowa native who grew up on a family farm south of Lohrville with playing a significant role in the development of around 40 percent of Iowa’s overall wind capacity — more than 6,300 megawatts.
Iowa produced record ethanol output in 2016
Des Moines Register | Posted onDecember 29, 2016 in Energy NewsIowa's 43 ethanol plants produced a record 4.1 billion gallons of ethanol in 2016, according to a state trade group. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association credits increases in gasoline demand, E10 blending and ethanol export opportunities for the slight uptick in production over 2015's 4 billion gallons.
Horse, possum and donkey meat on menu under South Australian food safety changes
The Guardian | Posted onDecember 29, 2016 in Food News
Ag Secretary Search Continues
DTN | Posted onDecember 29, 2016 in Federal NewsFormer California Lieutenant Gov. Abel Maldonado Jr. is set to interview for the U.S. secretary of Agriculture post with President-elect Donald Trump this week. He joins Elsa Murano, former Agriculture undersecretary for food safety and former president of Texas A&M, as the latest candidates the new administration is exploring for the position, incoming White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said during a transition briefing Wednesday.
Washington Berry Grower fined for illegal water use
Columbia Basin Herald | Posted onDecember 29, 2016 in Agriculture NewsThe Washington State Department of Ecology says it's fining a Whatcom County berry grower more than $100,000 for years of illegal water use. Officials say that since 2011, Ecology staff have tried to work with Gurjant "George" Sandhu to bring him into compliance with water laws.
City approves expanded plans for Costco poultry plant
Watt Ag Net | Posted onDecember 29, 2016 in Rural NewsCity council in Fremont, Nebraska, unanimously approves plans that would expand proposed size of poultry plant and hatchery. The new plans state that the plant would cover an area of 360,000 square feet, up substantially from the earlier proposed size of 250,000 square feet. The other amended plan is for an associated hatchery.
Addressing the farm trespassing issue
Wall Street Journal | Posted onDecember 29, 2016 in Agriculture NewsIn Australia, and more specifically in the state of New South Wales, discussions have been taking place in an effort to address at least the trespassing issue without making undercover video filming itself illegal. A series of joint roundtable meetings have been taking place between the state and federal governments and those in livestock and poultry production to discuss the problem of members of animal rights groups trespassing to film videos of alleged or legitimate animal mistreatment.
Superweed introduced to Minnesota with conservation seed mix
Minneapolis Star Tribune | Posted onDecember 29, 2016 in Agriculture NewsFederal programs designed to help farmers set aside more habitat for bees and wildlife have produced a dangerous offshoot this year: Some mixes used to plant native grasses and flowers were contaminated with harmful weed seeds that have now been introduced onto hundreds of farms in several Midwestern states, including Minnesota. The weeds include Palmer amaranth, one of the most prolific and devastating weeds in the country for corn, soybeans and other row crops.