No deal in Beijing (New York Times): Two days of U.S.-China trade talks ended without an agreement, and with China warning it would not increase its purchases of U.S. goods if the Trump administration imposes new tariffs. Previously, China said it would buy more U.S. farm exports and other products to reduce its trade surplus.
Raising a stink over hog manure (AP): The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will decide whether a large hog farm on the edge of Berwick, a town in eastern Pennsylvania, is protected under a state right-to-farm law from complaints that it creates a nuisance with its methods of manure disposal.
Organic grain imports exceed production (Civil Eats): Rising consumer demand for organic products has led the U.S. to import more organic corn and soybeans than it produces, presenting an opportunity for domestic grain growers.
In California, a drinking-water crisis (The Sacramento Bee): About 360,000 Californians live in areas with unsafe drinking water, and at least 6 million are served by water systems that have violated state standards at some point since 2012.
Water conservation rules are forever (Bay Area News Group): California Gov. Jerry Brown signed two laws that require cities and agricultural water districts to write permanent water conservation rules and follow them even when there’s not a drought.
Golden rice gets a nod (DTN/Progressive Farmer): The FDA is the third major regulator to approve so-called golden rice for human consumption and release it for commercialization. The genetically modified variety contains much higher amounts of beta-carotine, used by the body to produce Vitamin A, than conventional strains.
Kansas farmland values decline (Farm Journal): Farmland values are on a slow, steady decline, reflecting four years of low farm income, says a Kansas State University economist.