What the potential NAFTA replacement means for Iowa
Iowa trade and commodity experts say the last-minute trade agreement among North America's three largest nations is a step forward in terms of solving overall trade tensions.
Category Archives: Science
Trump’s new trade deal with Canada and Mexico is winning early…
The US, Canada, and Mexico agreed on Sunday to update the North American Free Trade Agreement, rebranding the deal as the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. The deal would make edits to NAFTA's auto, labor, and dispute-resolution rules and open up access to various protected industries like dairy and wine.
CIFI succeeds with focus on healthy eating trends
While North Carolina leads the nation in sweet potato cultivation, the crop has been something of an unsung hero in the state's agribusiness community. That perception is changing thanks in part to a Nash County company now promoting food and beverage ingredients that align with today's healthier, nutrient-rich diets.
Mayor Emanuel Announces Solar Energy Developments for City-Owned Vacant Land
The City is seeking Solar Developers to design, install, own, operate and maintain ground-mounted solar panels on large parcels of underutilized City-owned vacant land. Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced the Chicago Solar-Ground Mount initiative, a multi-site solar energy development project for city-owned vacant lands.
Quarterly Grain Stocks Report Adds Further Pressure To Markets
"There's more grain in the bin on September one than what the market expected," explains AgriTalk host Chip Flory. "On soybeans, to get there [USDA] had to go back and adjust the 2017 soybean crop."
Iowa pig population reaches record 23.6 million
Iowa has reached a record number of pigs on farms as the pork industry continues to expand production amid questionable export demand due to tariff battles with China. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Thursday Iowa has 23.6 million pigs on farms as of Sept.
Tehachapi hosts meeting to help rural communities with economic development
Tehachapi hosted the California Association for Local Economic Development, Rural Economic Development Exchange meeting at the Slice of Life Enrichment School. A coalition of economic representatives from rural cities met in Tehachapi on Wednesday to gain resources from each other, share ideas and discuss legislative policies that impact their regions.
PM Modi receives UN’s highest environmental honour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded with the United Nations' highest environmental honour, bestowed upon five other individuals and organisations, for his leadership of the International Solar Alliance and pledge to eliminate single use plastic in India by 2022. Six of the world's most outstanding environmental change makers have been recognised with the Champions of the Earth Award.
Stop subsidizing building in flood – and even lava flow – zones
It has been more than a week since Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina, and flood waters are continuing to wreak havoc across the Carolinas and Virginia. While much of the destruction caused by the powerful storm was unavoidable, some of it was, and government interventions have only served to exacerbate such tragedies.
Ground beef sold at Target, Sam’s, Albertson’s recalled over E coli fears
More than 130,000 tons of ground beef sold nationwide have been recalled because of fears of E. coli contamination. Cargill Meat Solutions issued the recall of ground beef products made from the chuck portion of a carcass that may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O26, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced.
Court Shuts Down Offshore Aquaculture in Gulf of Mexico
Today, Center for Food Safety, representing a coalition of fishing and public interest groups, won their lawsuit challenging the Department of Commerce's new federal rules that would have permitted, for the first time, industrial aquaculture offshore in U.S. federal waters. "This is a landmark victory for protecting our oceans, for fishing communities and conservationists," said George Kimbrell, CFS Legal Director and lead counsel in the case.
Analysis of Water Contamination at Military Sites Finds Health Risks…
A Union of Concerned Scientists analysis released today highlights the significant health risks posed to military families and communities by a class of synthetic chemicals found in firefighting foam, nonstick cookware and other products. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are long-lasting compounds known to accumulate in the human body and environment, including water supplies.
Federal appeals court overturns Tennessee coal ash cleanup order
A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit [official website] on Monday reversed [opinion, PDF] a district court order that required the Tennessee Valley Authority [official website] to dig up and remove a large amount of coal ash at one of its power plants, holding that the Clean Water Act [materials] does not regulate pollutants that reach navigable waters through groundwater. The appeal concerned a US District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee [official website] order requiring the TVA to "fully excavate" the coal ash ponds of its Gallatin Fossil Plant.
Relocating Two USDA Agencies Remains Controversial
RELOCATING TWO USDA AGENCIES REMAINS CONTROVERSIAL Sep. 25, 2018 Source: USDA news release A bipartisan trio of former top USDA research officials joined forces during a webinar on Thursday to deliver a unified message for Congress: Stop USDA from moving the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture - at least for now, reports Pro Ag's Helena Bottemiller Evich. The officials, whose tenures spanned the Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama administrations, said lawmakers should hold oversight hearings and halt the planned moves until a review can be conducted by an outside entity, such as the GAO.
California urges Trump to drop plan for weaker fuel standard
California officials demanded Monday that the Trump administration back off a plan to weaken national fuel economy standards aimed at reducing car emissions and saving people money at the pump, saying the proposed rollback would damage people's health and exacerbate climate change. Looming over the administration's proposal is the possibility that the state, which has become a key leader on climate change as Trump has moved to dismantle Obama-era environmental rules, could set its own separate fuel standard that could roil the auto industry.
Corn growers call on Congress to pass farm bill
TESTING CORN: Corn processors are aware of mycotoxin concerns from the 2016 corn crop. Ethanol plants have stepped up their mycotoxin testing and are letting their corn suppliers know the maximum level they will accept.
In heartland, growing discontent
Farmers across the United States will soon begin receiving government checks as part of a billion-dollar bailout to buoy growers experiencing financial strain from President Donald Trump's trade disputes with China. But even those poised for big payouts worry it won't be enough.
Auto trade group says new fuel standards won’t work
A large auto industry trade group isn't stating explicitly that it favors freezing federal gas mileage requirements at the 2021 level, but it's says the current plan won't work. In testimony prepared for a public hearing Monday in Fresno, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said customers aren't buying more efficient vehicles.
USDA crop progress: Harvest moves ahead
If combines aren't already rolling near you, chances are they will be soon, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress report. USDA has the 2018 U.S. corn harvest at 16% complete for the week ending September 23, moving ahead from 9% the prior week.
The Latest: Scores oppose Trump mileage proposal at hearing
Scores of people have spoken against the Trump administration's plan to roll back car-mileage standards at a hearing in California that ended earlier than expected.