AgClips
Recent AgClips
Prosecutor asks judge to keep environmental, treaty issues out of first protester trial
Bismarck Tribune | Posted onDecember 20, 2016 in Energy NewsThe first pipeline protesters will go on trial Monday and the prosecutor is asking that they keep issues of tribal sovereignty, the concerns about the Dakota Access Pipeline and "any other social or political cause" out of the courtroom. "This trial is not being held so there can be a forum to extend the months of conflict and context over these extraneous issues," Ladd Erickson, who is prosecuting the case for Morton County, wrote in a motion filed Dec. 12.
Animal Rights Activists Bully Veterinarians
Pork Network | Posted onDecember 20, 2016 in Agriculture NewsIf an organization truly cared about the health and welfare of animals, one would imagine they would be pretty big supporters of veterinarians, right? After all, veterinarians dedicate eight years of their lives (and a whole lot of money) to learning how to keep our livestock and pets healthy. The Veterinarian’s Oath states, “I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare,” and “the prevention and relief of animal suffering.” Sounds like a concept any animal lover could get behind.
The Science of Better-Tasting Milk
The Wall Street Journal | Posted onDecember 20, 2016 in Food NewsThere’s no use crying over spilled milk, but you might well shed a tear or two over the taste of milk in the era of plastic cartons. Scientists at Virginia Tech report that, in blind tastings, the flavor of milk stored in a standard supermarket-style dairy cooler is significantly degraded by fluorescent light passing through translucent plastic containers. When LED bulbs were used instead, tasters rated the milk about the same as when it was packaged in a lightproof container—which is to say, a lot better.
Don't call it soy milk, Vermont congressman says
12 News | Posted onDecember 20, 2016 in Food NewsRep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., is asking the Food and Drug Administration to enforce the definition of "milk" — as in, a beverage that comes from cows — and require non-dairy drinks that currently market themselves as "milk" to find another name.
Using the ERS County Economic Types To Explore Demographic and Economic Trends in Rural Areas
USDA- ERS | Posted onDecember 20, 2016 in Rural NewsThe 2015 ERS County Typology Codes classify all U.S. counties according to six categories of economic dependence: farming, mining, manufacturing, Federal/State government, recreation, and nonspecialized counties. ERS developed this typology to help characterize the socioeconomic diversity of rural America. Counties are usually classified as dependent on a particular sector when the share of employment or earnings in that sector is markedly above the average.
FDA Finalizes FSMA Third-Party Certification User Fee Program
OFW Law | Posted onDecember 20, 2016 in Federal NewsLast week, FDA issued a final rule to establish a user fee program for a voluntary accreditation program under Food Safety Mondernization Act, which established a voluntary program to accredit third-party certification bodies, or auditors, to conduct food safety audits of foreign food entities and certify that foreign food facilities and food produced by such facilities meet applicable FDA food safety requirements.
Livestock Marketing Protections Largely Left to Trump Administration to Decide
DTN | Posted onDecember 20, 2016 in Federal NewsThe visceral political fights over livestock marketing rules will carry into the Trump administration as reaction to USDA's release of three rules on Wednesday ranged from all-out praise from some farm groups to condemnations of political retribution by other groups. The livestock marketing rules under the USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, or GIPSA, are in different stages of the process. They date back to language in the 2008 farm bill, and the rules have been controversial throughout the Obama administration.
Livestock Marketing Protections Largely Left to Trump Administration to Decide
DTN | Posted onDecember 15, 2016 in Federal NewsThe visceral political fights over livestock marketing rules will carry into the Trump administration as reaction to USDA's release of three rules ranged from all-out praise from some farm groups to condemnations of political retribution by other groups. The livestock marketing rules under the USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, or GIPSA, are in different stages of the process. They date back to language in the 2008 farm bill, and the rules have been controversial throughout the Obama administration.
Negative Cash Flows for One-Fifth of Livestock Farmers
Creighton University Economic Outlook | Posted onDecember 15, 2016 in Agriculture NewsThe Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index remained weak with a reading again below growth neutral for the 15th straight month, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. Overall: The index, which ranges between 0 and 100 rose to 36.6 from October’s 31.8. Farm commodity prices continue to slam Rural Mainstreet economies. Over the past 12 months, livestock commodity prices have tumbled by 27.2 percent and grain commodity prices have slumped by 16.6 percent.
Productivity Is Major Manufacturing Job Killer: Not Mexico
Creighton University Economic Outlook | Posted onDecember 15, 2016 in Rural NewsPoliticians from both sides of the aisle are fond of blaming outsourcing and imported manufac-tured goods for U.S. manufacturing job losses. While it is correct that U.S. manufacturing has lost jobs during a period of solid U.S. job growth “the fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” Between 2000 and 2015, U.S. manufacturing lost 29.6 percent of total sector employment, or 4.7 million production jobs, as the nation experienced a 9.1 percent job gain outside of manufacturing. Over the time period, agriculture lost 76,000 jobs for a 8.5 percent loss.