Drought, drought go away (NOAA): The National Weather Service’s drought forecast for summer (July-Sept.) says there will be enough rain to ease or end drought in the western Corn Belt and the central Plains. Drought conditions are expected to persist in Texas.
Backyard biosecurity (Food Safety News): As the contagious Virulent Newcastle Disease spreads through backyard chicken flocks in California’s San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, the USDA is asking owners to practice biosecurity to prevent the disease from reaching commercial poultry farms.
Nebraska farmland value down 4 percent (University of Nebraska): Farmland values in the state are down for the fourth year in a row, to an average of $2,720 per acre, according to the Nebraska Farm Real Estate Survey. Since peaking in 2014, values have tumbled 18 percent.
Vitamins and kids (Time): One-third of Americans under the age of 19 regularly consume dietary supplements, including multivitamins and melatonin, according to researchers, who say the supplements offer no proven benefits to healthy children.
Shortage of rural vets (Harvest Public Media): While veterinarians are key to assuring healthy livestock, there’s been a shortage of rural vets since 2003. Experts say fewer students at vet schools and the long hours and lower pay that rural vets can expect are to blame.