A class-action antitrust lawsuit charges that U.S. broiler companies conspired to reduce chicken production to cause chicken prices to rise to “unprecedented” levels during the period from 2008-2014. [node:read-more:link]
Animal rights activists are facing little organized opposition as they push a ballot question that would ban the sale of eggs and other food products in Massachusetts that come from farms where animals are confined to overly restrictive cages. Supporters of the question have reported raising $1.6 million so far in direct contributions and another $525,000 in in-kind contributions, like donated staff times. The state's latest campaign finance deadline passed without any opposition group filing a fundraising report with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance. The single biggest sourc [node:read-more:link]
When it comes to farming, it seems the critics always have the easy answer. They portray this line of work as if every day brings blue skies and no worries. The reality is the farming business comes with a fair share of challenges; chief among them is the unpredictability of weather and markets. Anything can and will happen. Most kids don't return to the farm, which is evident by the average age of the American farmer. It's 58 years old and it keeps creeping upward. This is not a good trend for American agriculture and something that should worry all of us. [node:read-more:link]
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association is looking to have a say in a lawsuit seeking to force disclosure of records that USDA gathered in an audit of the beef checkoff program. NCBA filed a motion to intervene this week in the case originally brought in 2014 by the Organization for Competitive Markets with the help of attorneys from the Humane Society of the United States. [node:read-more:link]
Another year of bumper crops and high inventories are likely to spell another year of lower prices for corn, soybean and wheat growers, and alternately keep some feed costs in check for livestock producers. Ag economists at Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture laid out what grain growers are facing in a crop outlook webinar on Sept. 13 based on USDA’s latest crop estimates and world supply and demand report. The wheat crop is expected to bring record yields of 52.6 per acre, although lower acreage won’t bring record production. [node:read-more:link]
Recently, the EPA released a draft Ecological Risk Assessment on atrazine, a popular herbicide used for weed control in growing the vast majority of corn, sorghum and sugarcane in the United States. Unfortunately, the federal agency is refusing to follow the law. Instead of using sound science in today’s review process, political activism is driving the re-registration of atrazine. According to the latest assessment, EPA is recommending aquatic life level of concern (LOC) be set at 3.4 parts per billion (ppb) on a 60-day average. The EPA’s current LOC for atrazine is 10 ppb. [node:read-more:link]
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection reports that conservation districts in 29 counties in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed have successfully applied to conduct farm inspections aimed at reducing agricultural runoff into local streams and rivers and the bay. Nine conservation districts failed to meet application criteria or have declined to participate. Conservation districts were asked to conduct certain farm inspections on the DEP’s behalf, in exchange for funding to support bay technician staff. [node:read-more:link]
A bill to reduce methane emissions from California’s dairies and livestock operations is headed to the governor following its passage on the final day of the state Legislature’s regular session. SB 1383 would require the state Air Resources Board to begin implementing a strategy to reduce methane emissions 40 percent below 2013 levels by 2030. Implementation would be required no later than Jan. 1, 2018, with regulations to take effect on or after Jan. [node:read-more:link]
Five industry groups Monday sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack urging him to allow public comment if USDA proceeds with certain portions of a livestock and poultry marketing rule originally proposed in 2010 that are strongly opposed by the industry. “The opposition expressed six years ago remains as staunch as ever, and we urge the agency to abandon the proposed rule because of the significant adverse effect adopting it would have on the meat and poultry industry, particularly the produ [node:read-more:link]
Of all the off-the-wall statements made by speakers at HSUS’ Taking Action for Animals Conference and the National Animal Rights Conference this summer, there is one I just can’t quite get out of my head. “When it is time to launch a campaign, find a vulnerable target, prepare everything for at least a few weeks and then assemble an overwhelming force to utilize from day one. [node:read-more:link]
