AgClips
Recent AgClips
A ‘mixed bag’ for clean energy as Midwest legislatures close out 2016
Midwest Energy News | Posted onDecember 22, 2016 in Energy NewsLawmakers in three Midwest legislatures closed out their 2016 lame-duck sessions with plans to both expand as well as slow clean energy development. The proposals in Ohio, Michigan and Illinois came under three Republican governors and, aside from Illinois, Republican-held legislatures. In each case, major utilities played significant roles — either prominently lobbying or behind the scenes — in getting policies adopted in their favor. In Ohio, this meant a concerted effort toward what critics say further weakens the state’s renewable energy and efficiency standards. On Dec.
Northern Michigan city aims for 100 percent renewables by 2020
Midwest Energy News | Posted onDecember 22, 2016 in Energy NewsLocal officials in Traverse City voted Monday night to become the second Michigan city looking to meet 100 percent of municipal electricity needs from renewable sources. Traverse City Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to set a goal of 100 percent renewables by 2020 to power city services, such as streetlights, a wastewater treatment plant and government buildings.
Detroit urban farm awarded $500K grant, plans 'art-centered redevelopment'
Michigan Live | Posted onDecember 22, 2016 in Agriculture NewsThanks to a national ArtPlace America grant, an urban farm in Detroit is making plans to expand with a dining hall, an Art Farm House, a farm-fresh convenience store and more. The Oakland Avenue Urban Farm expansion project will bring focus on "art-centered redevelopment" as artists and designers team up to create what officials are calling the nation's first "agri-cultural" urban landscape.Some of the project's prospective highlights include a vacant home transforming into a cafeteria and hostel, the creation of the Art Farm House, an exhibition space and "mini" art school, and the North
The Energy Department helped start a revolution – and doesn’t know who to hand it off to
Washington Post | Posted onDecember 22, 2016 in Energy NewsAs the Obama administration prepares to leave office, it is seeking to underscore just how much has changed in the last eight years in the way we get energy — and to take some credit for it. Since 2008, costs for wind and solar have plunged by 40 and 60 percent, respectively, according to an analysis provided by the Energy Department.
Poultry issues we need to speak up about
Meatingplace (registration required) | Posted onDecember 22, 2016 in Agriculture NewsIf any progress is to be made, it will be because you kept telling your story in a direct, honest manner. If you are not already doing this, it’s past time to start! It’s the only way that the disconnect will shorten. Have no fear of difficult issues. They exist and will likely always exist.
Prescription dog, cat foods face anti-trust lawsuit
Pet Food Industry | Posted onDecember 22, 2016 in Food NewsPlaintiffs allege that pet food companies fix prices of prescription dog and cat food formulations.The pet food lawsuit was filed in the US District Court of Northern California (Case number 3:16-cv-7001). The plaintiffs claim that the pet food businesses charged consumers more than was justified for certain foods by making those foods available by prescription only. The plaintiffs allege that these prescription foods contain no drug or ingredients that are not found in conventional foods.
Iowa Farmland Values Decline, Cash Rent Issues
Farm Policy News | Posted onDecember 22, 2016 in Agriculture News“Iowa’s average farmland value declined for the third year in a row, down 5.9 percent to $7,183 an acre over the past year. It’s the first time since the 1980s farm crisis that land values have fallen three straight years, according to an Iowa State University report. An overview of the ISU report noted that, “In general, the results from the 2016 Iowa State University land value survey echo results from other surveys.
Maple Leaf takes aim to lower food insecurity in Canada
Meatingplace (registration required) | Posted onDecember 22, 2016 in Food NewsMaple Leaf Foods is establishing a new non-profit organization with the goal of reducing food insecurity in Canada, the Mississauga, Ont.-based company announced. Maple Leaf plans to invest more than $10 million over the next five years to fund the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security in addition to donating more than $1.5 million in food products every year.
If It's Not From A Cow, Can You Legally Call It Milk?
NPR | Posted onDecember 22, 2016 in Food NewsBeth Briczinski has been keeping a list of all the things companies are turning into products labeled as a kind of milk. "There's soy and almond and rice," she says. "Hemp, pistachio, macadamia nut, sunflower." Briczinski is highly annoyed by these products. She's vice president for dairy foods and nutrition at the National Milk Producers Federation, which represents the original milk producers: dairy farmers.These other "milk" products, she says, are confusing consumers.
U.S. asks for WTO dispute panel on China’s grain subsidies
Delta Farm Press | Posted onDecember 20, 2016 in Federal NewsThe U.S. Trade Representative has taken two more steps in the long, laborious process of trying to persuade the People’s Republic of China to abide by the rules of the WTO on the levels of support it can provide for wheat, corn and rice and on imports of those crops. The USTR requested the formation of a World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel to hear arguments on why China should reduce those levels of support.