Farm bailout bill would cost $21 billion, say analysts
The $21 billion cost of the farm bailout bill filed by Mississippi Rep. Mike Kelly may be too large for Congress to swallow, and it could preclude passage of the new farm bill, said four analysts on Tuesday. Kelly says the bill will keep farmers in operation despite high costs and lower commodity prices, and it is supported by a dozen large farm groups.
In Maryland, poultry industry monitoring initiative restarts debate
In recent years, agribusiness groups have fought legislation that would require large-scale livestock farms to report what pollutants they discharge into the air. But this week, a Maryland poultry industry group announced a partnership with the state’s environmental regulators to monitor those emissions. (No paywall)
Advocates ask North Carolina governor to veto right-to-farm law
Several national and local advocacy groups are calling on North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper to veto a bill that would greatly restrict the public's ability to sue large-scale animal farms over negative health and environmental effects. The state general assembly passed the bill on Friday.
As a dairy scandal settles, a fight in Oregon about the future of farming
A scandal involving Lost Valley, Oregon’s second-largest dairy, illuminates a broader debate in the state: whether or not it should welcome more industrial, large-scale farming operations, and particularly large-scale dairies. No paywall