Neonicotinoid not the sole villain in honeybee losses
A widely used insecticide, the neonicotinoid imidacloprid, "does not significantly harm honey bee colonies at real-world doses," contrary to concerns that neonics, as they are called, are to blame for population declines, says a University of Maryland study.
USDA: School-lunch error rate at 15.8 percent, but getting better
The error rates for the school lunch and school breakfast programs "remain unacceptably high," said the USDA, although there are signs of improvement, such as a lower overall error rate. In a report, the department said schools had an error rate of 15.8 percent for the $11.8-billion lunch program and 23.1 percent for the $3.3-billion breakfast program - a total of $2.7 billion for the 2012-13 school year that included over- and under-payments.
Minnesota declares emergency due to bird-flu outbreaks
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton declared a state of emergency because of avian influenza that has hit nearly four dozen poultry farms in the state and resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of turkeys, reports the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "It also has hit the first Minnesota chicken farm," J&A Farms, near Detroit Lakes, which has 300,000 egg-laying hens. Owner Amon Baer said federal compensation for the loss of the flock will not cover the expense of cleaning and disinfecting the laying houses.
Obesity rates rise despite ban on new fast-food outlets
A ban on opening or expanding stand-alone fast-food restaurants in low-income neighborhoods of Los Angeles has failed to curb obesity, says a RAND Corp study.
Ten pilot projects will test food-stamps-to-work ideas
The Obama administration will announce today "grants to 10 states looking for a better way to get food-stamp recipients back to work," says NPR. The pilot projects are the result of a compromise by lawmakers over food stamp cuts in the 2014 farm law.
Majority of US House opposes new EPA water rule
Some 231 U.S. representatives, including 18 committee chairmen, signed a letter asking the Obama administration to withdraw a proposed rule on federal jurisdiction over waterways, says Drovers CattleNetwork.
The antidote for bird-blu outbreaks: warm, sunny weather
Warm spring weather is the surest cure for the worst outbreak of avian influenza to hit the U.S. poultry industry in three decades, said USDA chief veterinarian John Clifford. Some 7.3 million chickens, turkeys and other poultry in 13 states have been infected or killed by the flu, or destroyed as a precaution against spread of the virus. Minnesota, the No. 1 turkey state, has recorded 41 cases.
House ag panel approves bill on pesticide regulation
For the third time, the House Agriculture Committee approved a bill to override a court decision on permits for pesticides applied on or near federally regulated waters.
Researchers work on rice that grows at high temperatures
Researchers at the Philippine Rice Research Institute have identified 25 new breeding lines of rice that tolerate higher temperatures than are considered ideal for current varieties.
Bird-flu impact: food-plant layoffs, fewer holiday turkeys
Turkey processor Jennie-O, owned by Hormel Foods, said it will lay off 233 workers at its plant in Faribault, 50 miles south of Minneapolis, because bird flu has reduced the number of turkeys available for slaughter, reports the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Avian influenza has hit 80 poultry farms in Minnesota, with losses of more than 3.8 million turkeys. More than half of the 76 turkey farms with an outbreak appear to be Jennie-O suppliers, says the Star-Tribune. The layoffs in Faribault will take effect on May 26. The company said, "We do not have an anticipated return-to-work date at this time."
Florida ag sees competitor where US ag sees Cuban market
While U.S. farm groups see Cuba as a natural, nearby market for exports, growers in Florida worry that Cuba will be a competitor in agriculture, says the Miami Herald. Janell Hendren of the Florida Farm Bureau told the Herald, "You can't lift the [trade] embargo without increasing imports from Cuba to the United States. And we are very concerned with imports." Agricultural economist William Messina at U-Florida says Cuba and Florida grow many of the same products - sugar, citrus, vegetables, tropical fruit and fish.
Bird flu confirmed in turkey flock in California
The low pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza virus was confirmed in a commercial flock of 6,100 turkeys in California, said the World Organization for Animal Health in a notice on its website.
Synthetic biology firms pivot from biofuels to food, lotions
Firms such as Sapphire and Amyris that hoped to score success as biofuel producers "are turning hard—or 'pivoting,' in Silicon Valley tech-ese—to products that sell for much more than $2.49 a gallon," says Newsweek in a story on the perils and promise of synthetic biology.
Conaway’s committee is “prepared to lead” on repeal of meat-label law
"The House Agriculture Committee is prepared to lead" for repeal of the law requiring country-of-origin labels (COOL) on packages of beef, pork and chicken if the World Trade Organization rejects a final U.S. appeal, said chairman Michael Conaway. The WTO has ruled against the mandatory labels three times and says it intends to rule by May 18 on the last appeal allowed in the case. Canada and Mexico say COOL is a trade barrier in disguise that has reduced shipments of livestock into the United States.
U.S. bird flu losses leap to 8 million birds with Iowa outbreak
Highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed in an egg farm with 5.3 million laying hens in northwestern Iowa, said the USDA. It was the largest outbreak yet in the United States and tripled the number of birds killed by the disease or destroyed to prevent its spread. Until the Iowa case, the USDA listed total losses from 53 other cases at 2.7 million birds, mostly turkeys. The Iowa Agriculture Department said state officials quarantined the farm in Osceola County, "and birds on the property will be humanely euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease."
Monsanto, growers settle suit over rogue GMO wheat
Monsanto, the giant seed company, settled lawsuits field by wheat growers in seven states over the 2013 discovery of a GMO variety growing in the wild in eastern Oregon.
Sharp drop in poultry exports due to bird flu, stronger dollar
U.S. poultry exports will fall by 8.5 percent this year under the pressure of avian influenza and the stronger dollar, says the Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook. Two major importers of U.S. poultry meat, China and South Korea, have restricted shipments as a precaution against spread of bird flu. The two Asian countries bought 5.5 percent of U.S. poultry exports last year. Their bans reduced U.S. sales by 25.5 million pounds in February, when bird flu was not as widespread as now.
U.S. challenges Indonesia at WTO over food-import barriers
The United States and New Zealand asked the World Trade Organization to rule that Indonesia unfairly restricts imports of fruits, vegetables and animal products, based on regulations imposed in 2012.
Drought emergency in nearly half of Washington State
Gov. Jay Inslee declared a drought emergency in an additional 13 river basins in Washington State because of low snowpack that will reduce streamflow in coming months. Coupled with a March 17 declaration covering 11 other watersheds, 44 percent of the state is covered by a drought emergency.
Watch out for pesticide residue on produce, says magazine
Shoppers should always buy organic peaches, strawberries, green beans and carrots to limit their exposure to pesticide residue, says Consumer Reports.