AgClips
Recent AgClips
Congressional Committee bombshell: Report attacks EPA on water rule
Farm Futures | Posted onNovember 8, 2016 in Agriculture NewsAnother blockbuster for agriculture was the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform report on “Politicization of the Waters of the United States Rulemaking.” It, unlike Mr. Comey’s letter, is supported by an investigation and facts. The report claims EPA director Gina McCarthy and EPA have not been telling the truth as to the impact the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule would have on agriculture. A subsequent quote proves EPA and Ms. McCarthy simply have lied to farmers.
Production agriculture is literally “white as snow.” Farmers of color have been gone for at least two generations. People of European ancestry have thrived on the Plains since the mid-1800s, and their productivity has only been matched by that of similar
Washington Examiner | Posted onNovember 8, 2016 in Rural NewsThe impact of illegal immigration on jobs is significant in agriculture and construction industries, with the undocumented workers taking a "disproportionate share," including over a quarter of all farm jobs, according to a new analysis of federal data. Illegals make up about 5 percent of the total U.S. workforce, but because far more are younger and of working age than the overall population, they have an outsized impact on jobs, according to the analysis from the Pew Research Center.
Will diversity come to rural America?
High Plains Journal | Posted onNovember 8, 2016 in Rural NewsProduction agriculture is literally “white as snow.” Farmers of color have been gone for at least two generations. People of European ancestry have thrived on the Plains since the mid-1800s, and their productivity has only been matched by that of similar white settlers who moved from Europe to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Steve King, an Iowa Congressman, took a lot of heat for declaring that white people have contributed more to the advancement of human civilization than any other “sub-group” of people.
Trade chief: protectionism is not the answer to job losses
AP | Posted onNovember 8, 2016 in Federal NewsThe head of the world's leading trade body says that hostility toward trade agreements witnessed in the United States and other countries is misplaced and that protectionist measures can hurt the poorest most. World Trade Organization chief Roberto Azevedo says protectionism "is the wrong response" to voter concerns about job losses and economic uncertainty. He says the introduction of new technology is a much bigger threat to jobs. Azevedo declined to comment specifically on the U.S. presidential candidates. However, he said Monday that "the major question is ...
Vermont releases renewable energy siting rules
Vermont Digger | Posted onNovember 8, 2016 in Energy NewsThe rules, implemented under Act 174, allow towns to have a say in how renewable energy projects are sited, but does not give municipalities the ability to reject solar and wind developments altogether. The regulations require municipalities to participate in a local and regional planning process. While the Public Service Board will consider municipal plans, the board has the ultimate say regarding where renewable energy projects are sited. Critics have objected to Act 174 because it doesn’t give towns veto power.
See Obamacare Rates for Every County in the Country
The New York Times | Posted onNovember 8, 2016 in NewsAverage Obamacare insurance rates really are going up by 22 percent. Last week, the Obama administration shared prices for Obamacare health insurance plans in most states. Now that markets in every state have published prices, we have a complete picture and, on average, the price increases are substantial. In 2015, the comparable rate was 4 percent; this year it was 8 percent. Our map shows the price change for the most inexpensive midlevel plan everywhere in the country, thanks to data collected by the McKinsey Center for U.S. Health System Reform.
Severe Drought Strikes the South
Wall Street Journal | Posted onNovember 8, 2016 in Rural NewsFarmers and ranchers are taking a hit, while municipalities scramble to ensure water supplies. Although the drought has spared some major agricultural sectors, including the area’s large poultry industry, it has left livestock and hay producers scrambling. Ranchers raising more than 2.35 million cattle and calves in Alabama and Georgia, out of about 92 milllion nationwide, expect major losses. Hay production, valued in 2015 at about $369 million in those two states, could drop significantly.
Governor Wolf Signs House Bill 2303, Reinstating Breeding Fund Payments
Growing Pennsylvania | Posted onNovember 8, 2016 in Agriculture NewsMore than 300 thoroughbred horse breeders who have been awaiting award payments since February will soon see those payments restored after Governor Tom Wolf signed reforms to the state’s Breeding Fund, according to Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. Among other things, House Bill 2303, now Act 115, which was sponsored by state Representative Martin Causer, fixes an unintended consequence of the equine racing industry reforms enacted in February 2016 that changed the criteria for payments under the state Breeding Fund award program.
Farm Taxes: Special Use Valuation in Texas
Texas Agriculture Law Blog | Posted onNovember 8, 2016 in Agriculture NewsMost Texas landowners are aware of the special use valuation methods available to agricultural landowners that allow property taxes to be calculated based on productive agricultural value, as opposed to market value of the land. Importantly, this is not a “tax exemption,” for agricultural landowners, but instead is an alternative way to calculate property taxes owed.
Model predicts elimination of GMO crops would cause hike in greenhouse gas emissions
Purdue | Posted onNovember 8, 2016 in Agriculture NewsA global ban on genetically modified crops would raise food prices and add the equivalent of nearly a billion tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, a study by researchers from Purdue University shows. Using a model to assess the economic and environmental value of GMO crops, agricultural economists found that replacing GMO corn, soybeans and cotton with conventionally bred varieties worldwide would cause a 0.27 to 2.2 percent increase in food costs, depending on the region, with poorer countries hit hardest. According to the study, published Oct.