AgClips
Recent AgClips
Low commodities prices fuel pessimism in CU economist's survey of rural bankers
Omaha World Herald | Posted onOctober 26, 2016 in Agriculture NewsRural bankers in states Nebraska, Iowa and surrounding states haven’t felt this sour since the economy was in the throes of the recession. Creighton economist Ernie Goss said bankers’ dread is being fueled by low commodities prices and is further exacerbated by the ripple effects being felt in rural economies. Accordingly, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index fell again in October.
At ground zero of Alabama's drought: 'It's an agricultural disaster'
AL.com | Posted onOctober 26, 2016 in Agriculture NewsSitting in the northeast corner of the state, Jackson County is ground zero for Alabama's drought that's now consumed the entire state. While dry conditions and sparse rain have spread from the Shoals to the coast, Jackson County has suffered longer and harder than any other region. "It's an agricultural disaster," said Jackson County farmer Phillip Thompson. "It's epic. It's really bad," said Themika Sims, Jackson County coordinator of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
California eyes more Sacramento River water for fish, less for farms, cities
Sacramento Bee | Posted onOctober 26, 2016 in Rural NewsSignaling a cutback in water supplies for farming and cities, California regulators on Wednesday issued a new scientific analysis that proposes overhauling the management of the Sacramento River and devoting more water to Northern California’s dwindling fish populations. The State Water Resources Control Board, in a widely anticipated report crafted by its staff, said it’s considering allowing much more of the flow from the Sacramento River and its tributaries to wash out into the ocean. The board avoided issuing a specific recommendation on how much additional water should go to fish.
Preserving the sweet life in Minnesota
Minnesota Post | Posted onOctober 26, 2016 in Federal NewsTo make a living growing sugar beets, you need the conditions to be just right. Rich, fertile soil. A long, cool fall. Plenty of rainfall. And a lot of help from the United States federal government. Minnesota’s got those first parts covered: the area centered around the Red River has the richest land and best climate for sugar beets in the U.S., making one of the most productive growing regions in the world. Those things won’t change, at least not anytime soon.
Fast-food calorie labeling unlikely to encourage healthy eating
Feedstuffs | Posted onOctober 26, 2016 in Food NewsResearchers from New York University (NYU) have shown why fast-food menu calorie counts do not help consumers make healthy choices in a new study published in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. The researchers found that only a small fraction of fast-food eaters — as few as 8% — are likely to make healthy choices as a result of current calorie labeling.
Small Island, Big Experiment
fivethirtyeight Science | Posted onOctober 26, 2016 in Federal NewsThe first thing Billy Ryan does after he arrives at work most mornings is drive to a yacht club or construction company lot, crawl into a mangrove, and stand for 60 seconds to count the mosquitoes that land on him. If there are five or more, he’ll request that a crew come spray the area the next day. From there, the 56-year-old inspector with the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District will visit commercial and residential properties, hunting for standing water and the mosquito larvae and pupae that are frequently found within it.
As Rural America Ages, Volunteers Give a Hand
Pew Trusts | Posted onOctober 26, 2016 in Rural NewsHaller, a 65-year-old widow with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who uses an oxygen generator, was rushed to the emergency room several times this year because of breathing problems her doctors said were exacerbated by the mold. She badly needed help, but couldn’t afford the repairs. Last month, the Harpswell Aging at Home team came to Haller’s rescue.
Election May be a Turning Point for Legal Marijuana
NY Times | Posted onOctober 26, 2016 in Agriculture NewsTo the red-and-blue map of American politics, it may be time to add green.
Australian Cattle Barons Make Counterbid for Kidman
Wall Street Journal | Posted onOctober 25, 2016 in Agriculture NewsFour of Australia’s wealthiest farming barons have launched a counterbid to prevent Chinese investors from buying the country’s largest cattle farm, S. Kidman & Co. The BBHO consortium—comprising the families of influential Australian outback ranchers Tom Brinkworth, Sterling Buntine, Malcolm Harris and Viv Oldfield whose interests span livestock, grain and transport—said on Sunday it had secured financing to offer 386 million Australian dollars (US$294 million) for 100% of Kidman’s shares in what would be one of the country’s biggest agribusiness deals on record.
The Next Hot Trends in Food
Wall Street Journal | Posted onOctober 25, 2016 in NewsBut now it’s no longer enough to claim a product is simply free of something that’s frowned upon. Consumers want to know that the bad ingredient hasn’t been replaced with something equally bad or worse. And they want to know the story behind their food—how it was grown or raised, and whether its production and distribution was kind to the environment. The less processed and simpler the ingredients, the better. That has left food and restaurant companies rushing to clean up their labels with ingredients derived from natural sources consumers can understand and pronounce.