Producers’ optimism about the future of the agricultural economy fell in September, according to the Index of Future Expectations, a sub-index of the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The overall barometer held steady from August to September with a reading of 132 as its two sub-indices – the Index of Future Expectations and the Index of Current Conditions – shifted in opposite directions. The Index of Future Expectations fell seven points to 130 in September, while the Index of Current Conditions climbed from 122 in August to 135 in September. [node:read-more:link]

On Monday, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) introduced his Agricultural Guestworker Act of 2017 Bill, which would replace H-2A with an H-2C program. Rep. Goodlatte introduced the bill to the House Judiciary Committee, which he chairs. During his address at United Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Conference in mid September, Rep. Goodlatte said he intends to move the bill through on a tight timetable. And that is exactly what he is doing. Rep. [node:read-more:link]

Grass-fed beef fans sometimes claim that finishing cattle on forage, rather than on grain or soy, is better for the environment. But a new study from U.K.-based Food Climate Research Network (FCRN) indicates these assertions are not true.In a report dubbed “Grazed and confused?” researchers said their analysis of grass- and grain-finished animals’ net contributions to GHG emissions shows that even grass-fed animals are a net contributor to the problem. [node:read-more:link]

Groups on both ends of the political spectrum are plotting how to attack the farm bill when it begins to move in Congress.  Representatives from about two dozen groups met yesterday near Capitol Hill to hear from an economist and then to brainstorm messages that they can agree to take to Congress. The plan is for the coalition to come up with a joint statement that most of the groups can sign. The organizations could not be more different on most issues. [node:read-more:link]

The neon cyanobacteria swirling across Lake Erie for the past three months or so signals to scientists and farmers alike: The annual plague of toxic algae is far from cured. “It looks like someone dumped green paint in the water,” said Tim Davis, an aquatic biologist at Bowling Green State University. “We’re still in the middle of the bloom. [node:read-more:link]

John Deere, the Moline, Ill. farm-machine company, may seem like a surprising presence near the office towers of software giants like Salesforce and LinkedIn. And even though its new lab in the startup-heavy South of Market neighborhood in San Francisco is focused on technologies like artificial intelligence and automation, some devoted customers can’t stay away. “We have had people knocking on the glass trying to buy tractors,” said Alex Purdy, head of John Deere Labs. “I actually had someone the other day who tried to come in to replace something on his mower. [node:read-more:link]

Farmers rely on foreign workers, many of whom are undocumented, to keep their operations running. But as the Trump administration cracks down on illegal immigration and fewer Americans want to work in the fields, some fear they'll lack the workers to plant and harvest the crops that feed the nation. "Americans can't do these kinds of jobs," Cordona said.The loss of foreign workers could cut harvests and push supermarket prices higher.Produce imports could increase even as fruits and vegetables rot in American fields. [node:read-more:link]

Investment in medical research, I would argue, is also a moral issue, a matter of political will and, ultimately, political accountability. The good news is that there is increasing bipartisan support for U.S. investment in medical research. [node:read-more:link]

hile promising, applications of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing have so far been limited by the challenges of delivery—namely, how to get all the CRISPR parts to every cell that needs them.  In a study published today (October 2) in Nature Biomedical Engineering, researchers have successfully repaired a mutation in the gene for dystrophin in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by injecting a vehicle they call CRISPR-Gold, which contains the Cas9 protein, guide RNA, and donor DNA, all wrapped around a tiny gold ball. [node:read-more:link]

The chickens are used to the needles. They don’t fuss when vector ecologist Tanya Posey pulls opens the door of a coop in a community garden here, firmly grasps a Leghorn, and pulls a blood sample out of its wing vein. She’s so good, she can bleed a chicken in about 30 seconds.That’s helpful, because she has a lot of chickens to test.More than six dozen sentinel chickens, living in coops dotted around Los Angeles, make up one of the first lines of defense in this sprawling county’s fight against West Nile virus. [node:read-more:link]