Craft beers’ battle (Wall Street Journal): Amid slowing craft beer sales, brewers want to sell directly to customers through tap rooms and brewpubs. But they’re bumping up against state and federal regulations that separate the retailing and production of alcohol.
The Midwest’s organic gap (WFYI Indianapolis): A new study by Perdue University found that there are more decertified organic farmers—those who were once certified but dropped the certification—in the Midwest than certified ones.
Recycled wastewater in San Joaquin Valley (Water Deeply): Recycled wastewater from Modesto, California, is flowing through a pipeline to irrigate crops and wildlife refuges in the San Joaquin Valley. It’s expected to be a reliable supply in a region sometimes hit by drought.
Nitrates and South Dakota water (Sioux Falls Argus Leader): Green groups and officials with several water systems are worried that nitrate levels in the Big Sioux River will rise with the expansion of an Agropur cheese plant in Hamlin County.
Weeds evade herbicide’s punch (DTN/Progressive Farmer): Cocklebur and velvetleaf, two longtime weeds of the Farm Belt, are appearing in fields later in the year, after pre-emegence herbicides have worn off.
World cotton stockpile to shrink again (ICAC): With lower market prices encouraging apparel makers to use cotton in the year ahead, global reserves will shrink for the fifth year in a row to 17.4 million metric tons, roughly an eight-month supply of the fiber.