AgClips
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Organic and Conventional Crops —Brought to You by Modern Agriculture
Huffington Post | Posted onAugust 17, 2017 in Agriculture, Food NewsAs a pioneer of genetically modified crop technology, I often get questions about what I really think about organic farming…or if I personally buy organic produce. My thoughts and answers might surprise you – number one, that being “pro-GMO” does not make me “anti-organic.” Allow me to explain.I believe that a real strength of our agricultural production system in the U.S. is the successful co-existence of conventional, biotech and organic farms to meet the different market opportunities and consumer product interests.
What Does 'Clean Eating' Mean, Anyway?
Food Network | Posted onAugust 17, 2017 in Food NewsWhile the term “clean eating” is one of the hottest eating-style trends of the past few years, it’s leaving consumers, the media, and dietitians alike confused about what the term really means and the benefits it conveys on health.The core definition of clean eating that most of its advocates agree on is choosing whole foods as they are closest to nature, or in their least-processed state. From there, different interpretations abound, from Paleo to dairy-free, grain- or gluten-free and vegan.
Agriculture industry wants few changes to NAFTA
Washington Examiner | Posted onAugust 17, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsThe agricultural industries in the U.S., Canada and Mexico on Wednesday jointly urged the negotiators for the North American Free Trade Agreement to make as few changes as possible to the trade deal, warning that any change could severely disrupt the economies of all three nations. In a public letter, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, and Mexico's National Agricultural Council said their industries are integrated as a result of the 1993 trade deal, which has greatly improved efficiency. The letter was addressed to U.S.
Farm communities face contaminated water from manure, nitrates, records revea
Oregon Live | Posted onAugust 17, 2017 in Agriculture NewsYakima County in Washington state, home to around 67 dairy farms, sits on aquifers contaminated by nitrates.
Grain-free pet foods are no healthier, vets say.
The Washington Post | Posted onAugust 17, 2017 in Agriculture, Rural NewsThese grain-free, all-meat and raw-food diets are inspired by the meals eaten by wild relatives of our fidos and felixes. But are these diets really better for our pets? Veterinarians and pet nutrition researchers say probably not.According to clinical veterinary nutritionists at Tufts University, grain-free foods were one of the fastest-growing sectors of the pet food market in 2016. “All I ever hear is, oh, on a good diet, it’s grain free,” said Dena Lock, a veterinarian in Texas. The majority of her pet patients are overweight. “Grain-free is marketing.
Photovoice for Agricultural Resilience: Farmers educate decision-makers through photos.
Snohomosh Conservation District | Posted onAugust 17, 2017 in Agriculture, SARL Members and Alumni NewsSeven farms took part in the Photovoice Project hosted by the Snohomish Conservation District and The Nature Conservancy. Through a series of four workshops, participants responded to two questions - "Why is agriculture important to our community?" and "What are the major challenges facing agriculture?" - through photos and discussion. Farmers each selected three of their photos, including captions, that are now part of this exhibition.
Modern farm families steeped in core values
Ottawa Herald | Posted onAugust 17, 2017 in Agriculture, Rural NewsSeems some people outside of agriculture routinely try to define the family farm. These same folks tend to question corporate farming whether family owned or not.Let’s look at a Kansas family farm. In our state, many are based on owner operation. This means the rights and responsibilities of ownership are vested in an entrepreneur who lives and works the farm for a living.The second key to defining the family farming system would include independence.
U.S. lawsuit over farmworkers shines light on visa program
The Wall Street Journal | Posted onAugust 15, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsFor the last two seasons, G Farms has depended on legal migrant workers to harvest potatoes, onions and watermelons growing in its fields on the outskirts of Phoenix. Now the farm is bearing different fruit: a first-of-its-kind federal lawsuit that federal officials and immigration activists say exemplifies the pitfalls of the nation’s agricultural visa program—as Congress proposes changes to it.This year the U.S.
Agriculture on front lines of immigrant worker shortage
Bloomberg | Posted onAugust 15, 2017 in Agriculture, Federal NewsHow agriculture handles its diminishing supply of undocumented workers could be a bellwether for other industries that may need to cope with increased immigration enforcement.As the Trump administration continues to crack down on illegal immigration, industries that historically have been dependent on unauthorized immigrants are going to need a plan B. Agriculture is a “great case study in the adaptability of sectors of the economy, given demographic changes,” Michael Fix, president of the Migration Policy Institute, told Bloomberg BNA Aug. 10.
Fighting drought and flood with soil health
Prairie Business | Posted onAugust 15, 2017 in Agriculture NewsThe Upper Midwest is in the grips of a historic drought, pretty close on the heels of several historic floods. Both extremes cause devastating, expensive problems for agriculture. But agronomist Andrea Basche thinks an answer to improving outcomes for droughts and floods might be the same."It might surprise people that soil can be a part of the solution," Basche says.