Nebraska officials helped load the first shipment of U.S. beef destined for Israel since a 13-year-old ban was lifted. WR Reserve of Hastings, Neb., is currently the only Israeli-approved kosher beef facility in the United States and plans a $4.5 million expansion, adding 100 jobs, as it prepares to serve that market, Nebraska Lt. Gov. Mike Foley announced. [node:read-more:link]
Food service companies Aramark and Compass Group USA, in conjunction with the Humane Society of the United States and Compassion in World Farming, yesterday announced separate sourcing plans for their future supplies of broiler chicken. Aramark is asking its suppliers to take the following actions by 2024, or sooner if possible: Transitioning to strains of birds that measurably improve welfare issues associated with fast growth rates per Global Animal Partnership’s (GAP) standards; Reducing maximum stocking density to equal to/less than 6 lbs./sq. ft. [node:read-more:link]
While the USDA indemnity programs may help compensate North Carolina poultry farmers for the birds they lost in flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew in October, those programs will not cover property damages. Bob Etheridge, North Carolina state director for the USDA Farm Service Agency, noted that some farmers may not have had insurance on buildings and equipment damaged or lost to flooding, which adds to their difficulties. There are also significant expenses involved in storm clean-up and decontamination procedures. [node:read-more:link]
It may sound like science fiction, but wastewater treatment plants across the United States may one day turn ordinary sewage into biocrude oil, thanks to new research. The technology, hydrothermal liquefaction, mimics the geological conditions Earth uses to create crude oil, using high pressure and temperature to achieve in minutes something that takes Mother Nature millions of years. [node:read-more:link]
For wildlife in Oregon, the best way to stay alive is to make sure someone wants to kill you. If the state can make money selling a fishing license or a hunting tag for an animal, it goes to great lengths to keep populations healthy. Teams of biologists collar hundreds of mule deer with tracking devices that cost almost $1,000 each. State police fly planes over wilderness in the dead of night searching for poachers. In one recent four-year span, Oregon spent upwards of $37 million to improve habitat for mule deer. [node:read-more:link]
This year, Grassroots Solar announced partnerships with SunPower, a leading U.S. rooftop solar company, and sonnenBatterie, a German storage company, allowing Laberge to provide his customers with both solar technology and innovative battery backup — and he’s also capitalizing on a Vermont’s push for consumers to use cold-climate heat pumps and switch to electric cars. “We just did a system for a couple who only required 24 panels to cover their current needs, but [who knew they’d] eventually put in cold-climate heat pumps and electric cars,’’ Laberge said. [node:read-more:link]
Engineers at Berkeley, California start-up Alphabet Energy have developed a cutting-edge renewable energy device that taps the energy from an often over-looked source: waste heat. Now, we've definitely seen technologies before that harness energy from waste heat, but according to Berkeley Engineer, Alphabet's devices are the most efficient thermoelectric devices ever created and the company is setting their sights on major sources of waste heat -- combustion exhaust from power plants and vehicles. “Waste heat is everywhere,” said CEO Matt Scullin. [node:read-more:link]
For the past 12 years, Iowa and MidAmerican Energy have worked to achieve their goal of 100% renewable energy across the state. Now, the largest wind energy project in the history of Iowa is underway – this revolutionary project, which will begin in 2017, is called Wind XI. “Renewable energy is going to be good for our customers, the environment, Iowa communities and our economy,” Ashton Hockman, MidAmerican Energy representative, said. Wind XI, MidAmerican Energy’s eleventh wind project, was initially approved in August 2016. [node:read-more:link]
armers, start arming your selves with the facts regarding nitrates. Right now agriculture is losing the battle on the issue of the impact of nitrates and their impact on the public. For example, on May 1 the Des Moines Water Works advised Iowa citizens that it is "…tapping reserve storage wells to lower nitrate levels in the water it supplies to central Iowa customers." DMWW said it had readings of 14-16.25 parts per liter which translates to 14-16.25 parts per million (ppm) of nitrates in the water. Scary stuff! [node:read-more:link]
Another 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. [node:read-more:link]
