AgClips
Recent AgClips
Woe in the oilfield: 213 companies have now declared bankruptcy
Fuelfix.com | Posted onOctober 27, 2016 in Energy NewsFewer and fewer oil exploration and production companies are declaring bankruptcy. But more oilfield service companies are. So far this month, only one North American E&P firm filed for Chapter 11 protection, according to data released on Tuesday by the Dallas law firm Haynes & Boone. That’s down from two in September, three in August and four in July. But it’s been an especially tough few months for service companies. As crude prices began crashing in 2014, drillers started idling rigs.
Spokane Tribe, others call for better federal consultation on oil pipeline
The Spokesman Review | Posted onOctober 27, 2016 in Energy NewsAmerican Indian tribes in Washington, including the Spokane Tribe, called on President Barack Obama to overhaul the way the federal government consults with tribes on fossil fuel export and other projects. The Spokane Tribe, Yakama Nation, Lummi Nation and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community released a five-point plan they say will improve the consultation process, protect sacred sites and provide greater recognition of tribal rights.
Ethanol Futures Hit Ceiling at $1.60 Per Gallon
DTN | Posted onOctober 27, 2016 in Energy NewsEthanol futures posted limited market movement Tuesday afternoon with prices hovering in a narrow trading range, as nearby contracts fell just 0.6 cent per gallon while deferred contracts fell 0.2 cent per gallon. November contracts fell to $1.60 per gallon as the market has been recently been capped at that level, given the lack of support in the corn and gasoline market over the last week.
How Teletherapy Addresses Mental Health Needs
Pew Charitable Trust | Posted onOctober 27, 2016 in Rural NewsAn acute need for more and easier access to mental health treatment and improvements in communications technology have set off a boom in remote therapy, but strict licensing rules and varying state laws are hampering its growth. Like telehealth in general, using videoconferencing, smartphones and other technology to treat mental illness has long been recognized as an invaluable tool for getting care to people in rural areas, where shortages of psychiatrists, psychologists and other providers are even more acute than in the rest of the nation.
JBS cancels reorganization after shareholder veto
meatingplace.com | Posted onOctober 27, 2016 in Agriculture NewsBrazil's JBS SA will evaluate alternatives to unlock the company's value after shareholder BNDES Participações (BNDESPar) vetoed its corporate reorganization plans announced in May, global CEO Wesley Batista told analysts in conference calls. Batista did not detail what alternatives the company will consider. The world's largest meat processor previously considered listing its Brazilian poultry and processed foods unit Seara, and JBS USA as a strategic alternative.
Farm BIll Counter Cyclical not protecting farms
Ag Policy | Posted onOctober 27, 2016 in Federal NewsWith low prices facing farmers as they harvest their 2016 crop, it is becoming clear that the counter-cyclical policies contained in the 2014 Farm Bill will not provide much protection for most producers. As a result, farm groups are beginning to look toward the next farm bill and the types of policies that might best protect farmers against low prices. In last week’s column, we argued against direct payments, subsidized revenue insurance when crop prices are above the cost of production, and loan deficiency payments.
Large Corn Farms ‘Twice as Likely’ to Adopt Precision Agriculture
Precision Ag | Posted onOctober 27, 2016 in Agriculture NewsIf you’re running a large corn or soybean operation, you’re a lot more likely to be using precision agriculture practices and seeing results like increased operating profits — at least that’s what research by the USDA says. The study, Farm Profits and Adoption of Precision Agriculture, focused on three precision agriculture practices: guidance or auto-steer systems, variable-rate technology (VRT), and GPS-based mapping systems. In the past 10 years, tractor guidance systems have gotten popular more quickly than variable-rate input application. Guidance is utilized on a whole 50% of U.S.
Sixth mass extinction? Two-thirds of wildlife may be gone by 2020
CNN | Posted onOctober 27, 2016 in Rural NewsMore than two thirds of the world's wildlife could be gone by the end of the decade if action isn't taken soon, a new report from the World Wildlife Fund revealed.Since 1970, there has already been a 58% overall decline in the numbers of fish, mammals, birds and reptiles worldwide, according to the WWF's latest bi-annual Living Planet Index.If accurate, that means wildlife across the globe is vanishing at a rate of 2% a year. "This is definitely human impact, we're in the sixth mass extinction.
Drought triggers Livestock Forage Program
Tulsa World | Posted onOctober 27, 2016 in Federal NewsEarlier this month, Wagoner County was rated as a D2 (severe drought) for eight consecutive weeks, triggering the Livestock Forage Program, County Executive Director for the USDA Wagoner County Farm Service Agency Mary Kunze reported. The Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill) authorized the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) to provide compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses for covered livestock on land that is native or improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover or is planted specifically for grazing.
Pork industry seeking to inspire next generation
Pork.org | Posted onOctober 27, 2016 in Agriculture NewsAre you a young farmer who aspires to commit your life’s work to pig farming, be a leader in farming and aims to be an example of excellence by raising pigs using the We CareSM ethical principles? If yes, then we want you to apply to be one of the U.S. Pork Industry’s Pig Farmers of Tomorrow. The Pork Checkoff has established this new national award program to recognize, inspire and connect the next generation of American pig farmers. Up to three award recipients will be selected in the program’s inaugural year.