Month: August 2016

Ag Web: Warning of ‘War’ on Farmers, Trump Seeks Support in Iowa

Howdy, I gave the two primary presidential candidates websites a good look today. Getting past the hype and down to the nuts and bolts of policy positions in this year’s presidential race is far from an easy task. It takes a serious effort. I noticed that Hillary’s campaign website covers many more issues in much…



The Hill: MCCONNELL: SENATE WON’T TAKE UP TPP THIS YEAR

MCCONNELL: SENATE WON’T TAKE UP TPP THIS YEAR August 25, 2016 Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) appeared to close the door Thursday on the Senate taking up the Obama administration’s signature Asia-Pacific trade deal during what’s left of the president’s term. [Jordain Carney| August 25, 2016 | The Hill] "The current agreement, the Trans-Pacific…



eFarm and Food File — The last free trader in America

Farm and Food File for the week beginning Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016 The last free trader in America Alan Guebert Can trade—free, fair, or otherwise—get some love this election season? Fat chance. In fact, the only national politician four-square in favor of global trade and its latest multi-nation deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, is…



Mega Mergers Focus for Organization for Competitive Markets

Mega Mergers Focus for Organization for Competitive Markets Posted on August 27, 2016 by Mike Callicrate The Organization for Competitive Markets recently wrapped up their annual convention. One of their primary concerns is the increasing consolidation in U.S. agriculture. OCM President Mike Callicrate says they’re closely watching proposed mega-mergers between ChemChina and Syngenta, Dow and…



For Immediate Release: Organization for Competitive Markets Held its 18th Annual Food and Agriculture Conference

Howdy, Congratulations to our new officers Mike Weaver and Don Stull, and our new board member, Sen. Al Davis. And, a heartfelt thanks to our two John Helmuth Award winners, Fred Stokes and Sen. Cap Dierks. Both, founding members of OCM. Cap’s place on the board was filled by Sen. Davis. And, too bad more…



Letter from Langdon: Fixing to Get Agri-Ready — A Missouri campaign to undermine local protection of citizens ’ health and safety

A rally against Amendment 1, the "right to farm" amendment, held by the group Missouri’s Food for America. Photo by The Missouri Times. Letter from Langdon: Fixing to Get Agri-Ready By Richard Oswald August 23, 2016 A Missouri campaign to undermine local protection of citizens’ health and safety is being marketed as being friendly to…



Another Market Descends Into Chaos: “It’s Madness. The Market Makes Major Moves For No Reason”

Another Market Descends Into Chaos: "It’s Madness. The Market Makes Major Moves For No Reason" by Tyler Durden Aug 18, 2016 6:34 PM While that is indeed the quoted lament of a living, breathing market participant, it does not refer to what takes place in the stock or – increasingly more often – the bond…



Cerro Gordo Supervisors say no to hog confinement facility

Cerro Gordo Supervisors say no to hog confinement facility JOHN SKIPPER john.skipper@globegazette.com MASON CITY | Cerro Gordo County Supervisors recommended unanimously Tuesday to reject an application for construction of a hog confinement facility near Ventura. The application, from River Edge Farms LLC, met all requirements in a state matrix, but Supervisors Jay Urdahl, Phil Dougherty…



Chemical Burns, Frostbite, Broken Bones — All for Cheap Chicken — There are not fewer injuries, there are fewer injuries being reported

This is a five minute segment of great significance. The discussion focused on the speed of the lines, and the vulnerability of immigrant workers who have signed up for work at slaughter plants. http://www.npr.org/2016/08/10/489433692/osha-injury-reporting-rule-sheds-light-on-meat-packing-accidents Thanks for sharing this Joe. The claim of declining injury rates in this story from the NCC is a lie: "LOWE:…



Harwood Schaffer’s and Daryll Ray’s column — Another retirement but our policy column continues

A year ago last May we wrote about Daryll’s retirement from the University of Tennessee after 24 years as Blasingame Chair of Excellence in Agricultural Policy and Director of the Agricultural Policy Analysis Center. With this column, we announce Harwood’s retirement after 16½ years, first as a Research Associate and for the last 6 years…