AgClips
Recent AgClips
A Top Utility Regulator Talks About How to Prepare California for 50% Renewable Energy
Green Tech Media | Posted onMay 9, 2016 in Energy NewsAs California looks to get half its electricity from renewables by 2030, energy regulators in the state have never been busier.
Renewables Swamp Natural Gas in First Quarter 2016
Renewable Energy World | Posted onMay 9, 2016 in Energy NewsSetting a new lopsided quarterly record, renewable sources outpaced — in fact, swamped — natural gas by a factor of more than 70:1 for new electrical generating capacity placed in-service during the first three months of calendar year 2016. According to the latest just-released monthly "Energy Infrastructure Update" report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) Office of Energy Projects, nine new "units" of wind provided 707 MW, followed by 44 units of solar (522 MW), 9 units of biomass (33 MW), and one unit of hydropower (29 MW).
Judge orders state to return exotic animals
Columbus Dispatch | Posted onMay 9, 2016 in NewsA Stark County judge ordered the state to return 10 exotic animals seized.
State vet expresses concerns over organic hen standards
Feedstuffs | Posted onMay 9, 2016 in Federal NewsState veterinarians across the nation are reviewing a recently proposed U.S. Department of Agriculture rule that eliminates the approval of outdoor porches for hens from the National Organic Program, instead requiring direct exposure of hens to the outdoors. Recently, California state veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones expressed concern with the rule in a comment to USDA.
Jones urged USDA and its Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to reconsider this proposed rule, especially the outdoor access requirements that may pose serious animal health and food safety concerns.
Landowner Attorney Discusses Private Property and Water Rights
Texas Extension Service | Posted onMay 9, 2016 in NewsLandowners have won some important legislative and court battles
Farmer Battles Over Covers
DTN | Posted onMay 9, 2016 in Agriculture NewsKevin Glanz doesn't believe his crop insurance policy should be put in jeopardy because he's following a cover-cropping practice approved by USDA's Risk Management Agency.
Yet Glanz has already been told his corn crop will face a quality control audit this growing season by Des Moines-based Rain and Hail LLC after Glanz informed his insurance agent that he plans to interseed a cover-crop mix into his standing corn crop this year.
Monsanto, Dow, Syngenta: rush for mega-mergers puts food security at risk
The Guardian | Posted onMay 9, 2016 in Agriculture NewsRecent deals in the global agrochemical and seed industry, driven by financial motivations, are a threat to farmers, prices and the environment.
The global agrochemical and seed industry is undergoing profound upheaval, with a spate of mergers and attempted mergers consolidating the sector and raising concerns about the future of the food system.
Senate bill backing agriculture also bans plastic bags at farmers markets
Miford Daily News | Posted onMay 9, 2016 in Agriculture NewsMassachusetts shoppers would be able to buy craft beers and spirits at farmers markets - but not take those bottles or any other purchases home in a plastic bag - under a bill approved Thursday by the Senate.
An omnibus bill (S 2171) that passed the Senate on a 36-1 vote takes a variety of steps aimed at promoting agriculture in the state.
U.S. Farmers Open Up Silos as Corn Hits `Magic' Price Levels
Bloomburg | Posted onMay 9, 2016 in Agriculture NewsThe best rally for corn prices in 10 months meant U.S. farmers were frantic to sell from the mountain of grain they’d been hoarding.
Growers have been stockpiling supplies following a string of bumper harvests, waiting patiently for a rebound in prices. Their hopes have finally been answered after dry weather threatened crops in Brazil, sending futures traded in Chicago to their highest in nine months. With more than 50 percent of U.S. corn stockpiles stashed on farms as of March, the unexpected price gains had resulted in “quite brisk” sales and deliveries
Ag Startups Get Boost from Big Firms
New York Times | Posted onMay 9, 2016 in Agriculture NewsNew technologies are opening up new opportunities and investment in early stage agricultural companies is springing to life. One sign is a new "accelerator" to assist fledgling agricultural companies. Its backers include Bayer and Syngenta and some venture capital firms that typically focus on pharmceuticals, not farms.