This time of year, Shawn Holladay is usually sitting atop a tractor, laying cotton seeds into rows of red soil on his farm here on the High Plains.But less than 2 inches of rain has fallen across much of West Texas since last October, compared with an average of about 10 inches over the same period last year.  With his fields bone dry, Mr. Holladay and many other farmers in the Texas Cotton Belt have held off putting seeds in all but small patches of irrigated ground out of fear they will simply dry up. [node:read-more:link]

When it comes to dealing with animal rights or environmental activists, those involved in livestock and poultry production must first identify what category the activist fits into, based on the passion of their beliefs. Some activists are so convinced animal agriculture is bad that they are unwilling to listen to other people’s viewpoints, Humphreys said.“Negotiation is not an option. [node:read-more:link]

State Rep. John Patterson (D-Jefferson) today announced House Bill (HB) 643, known as the Clean Lake 2020 Plan, a bipartisan effort to fight for a healthier Lake Erie. The Clean Lake 2020 plan would enact a statewide bond issue and work to reduce harmful algal blooms and invest in innovative initiatives to clean up the lake. "All of us who live, work and play in Ohio have a vested interest in clean water—and it is vital that we confront our challenges to provide each and every person with that life-giving resource,” said Patterson. [node:read-more:link]

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is launching an initiative to prioritize outreach to small and very small establishments in each of the 10 districts throughout the country, enhancing its existing outreach resources, the agency said in its Constituent Update newsletter. More than 90% of the approximately 6,000 plants inspected by FSIS are considered small or very small. Outreach to these businesses is critically important — ensuring they have the tools, guidance, and resources needed to comply with FSIS regulations and deliver products that are safe and wholesome. [node:read-more:link]

Three U.S. senators have launched a legislative effort designed to allow meat and poultry products already inspected by state programs to be sold across state lines, which currently is prohibited. The bill introduced by U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Angus King (I-Maine) would open the door for products that are processed in 27 states to be sold in other nearby states and open up new markets to producers. [node:read-more:link]

Bloc voting by the three largest dairy co-ops in California in favor of joining the federal milk marketing order system could clinch the deal, but it’s not official until USDA announces the outcome of the producer referendum.The voting is closed in the producer referendum determining whether California dairy farmers will leave their state milk marketing order behind and join the federal order system.While nothing is official yet, some industry spokesmen are saying bloc voting in favor of making the switch by the state’s three largest dairy co-ops has sealed the deal.

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Two rival Washington cattlemen’s groups issued a joint communique Wednesday stating their shared discontent over wolves. The statement from the Washington Cattlemen’s Association and Cattle Producers of Washington stemmed from a summit last month in Ellensburg. The Washington Farm Bureau also participated and sent out the announcement that agricultural organizations are “fed up with wolves.”It was the first time the three groups have spoken as one on the subject.“I thought we should all try to get on the same page,” Cattle Producers President Scott Nielsen said Wednesday. [node:read-more:link]

Last week, the USDA finally released its proposed rule outlining the ways in which it may implement the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard.    Here, I want to point out a few things that were news (at least to me) in the proposed rule.One of the controversial facets of the original bill was that it allowed for disclosure of genetically engineered ingredients via a QR code (this is an issue we have researched - e.g., see here). [node:read-more:link]

Missouri will soon open a state office devoted to helping rural communities get access to high-speed internet. The Department of Agriculture and Department of Economic Development launched a joint broadband expansion initiative last week as part of a 16-point plan to address the needs of the state’s agricultural and rural communities.The newly established Office of Broadband will help these communities navigate federal programs to bring broadband networks where only expensive or low-quality internet access exists, said Chris Chinn, Missouri Department of Agriculture director. [node:read-more:link]