Agriculture News
Oregon bills would end "right-to-farm" protections for large dairies
Capital Press | Posted on March 25, 2019A defunct Oregon dairy with an extensive history of wastewater problems loomed large over a legislative hearing March 21 about proposals to overhaul state dairy regulations. Proponents of changing the existing rules for "confined animal feeding operations," or CAFOs, argued that environmental violations at Lost Valley Farm of Boardman, Ore., underscored the need for increased safeguards.Opponents of several bills that would impose new restrictions on large CAFOs countered that Oregon's entire dairy industry should not be punished for the misdeeds of one bad operator.While the trouble at Lost Valley Farm constituted a "perfect storm" of regulatory difficulties, this extreme example "did reveal some weaknesses in our processes," said Sen. Mike Dembrow, D-Portland, chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Under Senate Bill 876, state regulators would have to sign off on the construction of a large “confined animal feeding operation,” or CAFO, such as a dairy with more than 700 mature cows.Before such a CAFO could begin operating, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Department of Environmental Quality would have issue a final approval after ensuring it has secured all necessary permits and sufficient access to water.
Study: Slower-growing birds would harm environment
Watt Ag Net | Posted on March 20, 2019A new study estimates as many as 68 percent more slower-growing broiler birds would be needed to produce the same amount of breast meat as conventional birds.
Gene Editing helps blind mice see
Gene Engineering News | Posted on March 20, 2019When a team of scientists delivered the gene for a retinal opsin into the genome of the ganglion cells of blind mice, the mice acquired vision that lasted a lifetime. “That this system works is really, really satisfying, in part because it’s also very simple,” noted Ehud Isacoff, PhD, professor of neurobiology at the University of California (UC), Berkeley, and lead author on the paper. “Ironically, you could have done this 20 years ago.”
Chinese Dairy Leader Purchases New Zealand’s Major Milk Supply Co-Operative
CX Live | Posted on March 20, 2019Chinese dairy behemoth Yili announced on Monday that it will buy New Zealand’s second largest dairy co-operative, Westland, in cash for no more than NZ$246 million
Jurors say Roundup contributed to a 2nd man's cancer. Now thousands more cases against Monsanto await
CNN | Posted on March 20, 2019A federal jury dealt a huge blow to Monsanto, saying its popular weedkiller Roundup was a substantial factor in causing a California man's cancer.It's the second time in eight months that a jury has reached such a decision.But Edwin Hardeman's case against Monsanto is the first to be tried in federal court. And thousands of similar cases are still pending at the federal or state level.
Agriculture, State Organizations Try to Help Farmers Affected by Flood, Blizzard
DTN | Posted on March 20, 2019With ongoing flood recovery efforts in Nebraska, Iowa, and other affected states, there are a number of places farmers and ranchers can go for help or to donate. Livestock losses in Nebraska are estimated at about $400 million and many ranchers face challenges to save remaining herds.The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is ready to help producers affected by the blizzards and flooding who need hay, feedstuffs, fencing materials, volunteer help and equipment.Callers to the department at 1-800-831-0550 should be prepared to share their name, contact information, type and number of livestock, location (including county), the type of assistance needed and how urgent the need is.
American pigs and cattle are ‘vulnerable’ to deadly foot-and-mouth disease, federal government agency warns
CNBC | Posted on March 20, 2019America’s swine and cattle populations are vulnerable to the deadly and highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease, and “efforts to prepare for a potential outbreak could be strengthened,” according to a U.S. government watchdog.The Government Accountability Office suggested that “efforts to prepare for a potential outbreak could be strengthened.”The agency warned an outbreak in the U.S. could lead to “serious economic impacts,” including putting at risk some $19 billion in exports of meats and dairy products.
Resources for Animal Food Producers in Flooded Central & Southern Plains of U.S.
FDA | Posted on March 20, 2019As the Central and Southern Plains of the United States continue to experience extreme weather and flooding, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine reminds animal food producers who may be mixing, storing or distributing grains and other foods for animals about information resources available. While there are few, if any, crops growing right now, previously harvested crops or siloed feed materials could become contaminated and no longer suitable for feeding. Flood waters, which are different from pooled rain water, may contain sewage, pathogenic organisms, pesticides, chemical wastes, or other toxic substances. Mold growth is another serious concern for flood impacted crops intended for use in animal food. Some molds produce mycotoxins, which are toxic to certain animals and people.Previously harvested crops that may be deemed unsuitable for human food use sometimes can be salvaged for animal food. FDA will work with producers to consider requests to recondition an adulterated crop into animal food on a case-by-case basis. FDA’s compliance policy guide (CPG 675.200) provides a step-by-step process for reconditioning requests.
Governor Walz Signs Bill to Expand Recovery Loan Program for Farmers
KAAL TV | Posted on March 20, 2019Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed Chapter 4, S.F. 2225 into law. The bill amends the farm disaster recovery loan program to add “the weight of snow, sleet or ice” as conditions for which a farmer is eligible to participate in the program. It allows the Rural Finance Authority (RFA) to determine whether a weather event constitutes an emergency.
Colorado Lawmakers Introduce Blockchain Agriculture Bill
ETH News | Posted on March 20, 2019On Friday, March 15, lawmakers from the state of Colorado introduced a bipartisan bill calling for the study of how blockchain technology might be applied to the state's agricultural industry. House Bill 1247 is championed in the house by representatives Donald Valdez and Mark Catlin, with state senators Kerry Donovan and Don Coram also sponsoring. The bill calls for the state's commissioner of agriculture to develop an advisory group to study possible use cases for blockchain technology in agricultural operations.