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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

The 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. [node:read-more:link]

Will diversity come to rural America?

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 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. [node:read-more:link]

Trade chief: protectionism is not the answer to job losses

The 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 ... [node:read-more:link]

Vermont releases renewable energy siting rules

The 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. [node:read-more:link]

See Obamacare Rates for Every County in the Country

Average 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. [node:read-more:link]

Severe Drought Strikes the South

Farmers 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. [node:read-more:link]

Governor Wolf Signs House Bill 2303, Reinstating Breeding Fund Payments

More 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. [node:read-more:link]

Farm Taxes: Special Use Valuation in Texas

Most 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. [node:read-more:link]

Model predicts elimination of GMO crops would cause hike in greenhouse gas emissions

A 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. [node:read-more:link]

Farmers expected to reach magical 300 number for corn yields

It wasn’t long ago when a Wisconsin farmer stood a better chance of rolling a 300, or perfect, game in bowling than producing a corn crop with a yield of 300 bushels per acre. The odds have changed in favor of the 300-bushel yield this year, thanks to a near-perfect growing season that has experts predicting record corn and soybean yields throughout much of the state, including Dane County. “I would imagine we’ll get to 300 this year by somebody around here, and I think it’s that good that we’ll get it. [node:read-more:link]

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