Cattle ranchers want an exemption to a livestock hauling rule change that they say will hinder their ability to transport animals long distances. The new rule requires the use of hours-of-service electronic logging devices by drivers who are currently required only to prepare records of duty status.The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration’s Electronic Logging Device rule goes into effect Dec. 18, 2017.The final rule does not change federal hours-of-service requirements, said Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration spokesman Duane DeBruyne. [node:read-more:link]

South Africa approved imports of genetically modified corn from the U.S. for the first time after its worst drought since records began 104 years ago cut local output. Local white corn prices fell. The nation will allow both white and yellow GM corn from the U.S. to be brought in, Dirk Kok, a spokesman for the secretariat of the Pretoria-based South African Cereals and Oilseeds and Trade Association, said in an interview on Monday. [node:read-more:link]

Delaware farmers, lawn care companies, golf courses and other nutrient handlers should not apply nutrients to the ground during the winter months, the Delaware Department of Agriculture reminds applicators. Regulations adopted by the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission in 2007 prohibit certified nutrient handlers from applying commercial and manure-based fertilizer from December 7 to February 15, the time of year most vulnerable for nutrient runoff. [node:read-more:link]

Wendy’s International Inc. has announced a partnership with the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) to help advance sustainability efforts throughout the U.S. beef value chain. Joining the USRSB is expected to offer Wendy’s an active role in discussions about the beef industry’s environmental, social and economic sustainability. [node:read-more:link]

Authorities have designated all of Scotland and England an Aviation Influenza Prevention Zone in order to protect commercial and backyard poultry flocks from the avian influenza outbreak that so far has affected 14 European and Asian nations in recent weeks. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has yet to be confirmed in any part of the United Kingdom, but officials at the Dept. for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are concerned enough to order poultry farm managers and others to keep birds inside for the next 30 days, according to several local media reports. [node:read-more:link]

Fifty-six percent of Iowa cattle producers voted in November to create a state checkoff program that will generate up to $1.6 million annually, the Iowa Department of Agriculture said.  Producers will pay 50 cents per head of cattle to support the state checkoff. The money will be used to promote Iowa beef, fund production research, expand international markets, consumer education and other activities, the Iowa Cattlemen's Association says. [node:read-more:link]

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson says livestock producers can apply for a portion of $2 million in grants available for on-farm improvements, as part of the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation Program. [node:read-more:link]

Amazon is opening its first food store without checkouts! Walmart opens its first grocery pick-up and gas station concept!Lidl and Aldi are trading up and will each open 2,000 grocery stores!My previous predictions are quickly coming true—the food retail industry is rapidly changing due to new technology and new entries into the marketplace.  With big plans to operate smaller stores featuring a convenience food assortment at very low prices in many parts of the U.S., the roll out of these small stores by these retail behemoths will profoundly impact the traditional grocery chains. [node:read-more:link]

Washington says it’s the first U.S. state to sue the agrochemical giant over pollution from PCBs. Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the lawsuit at a news conference Thursday afternoon. The chemicals, polychlorinated biphenyls, were used in many industrial and commercial applications, including in paint, coolants, sealants and hydraulic fluids. PCB contamination impairs rivers, lakes and bays around the country. [node:read-more:link]

President-elect Donald Trump has selected fast-food executive Andy Puzder to run the Labor Department, which oversees OSHA, enforces wage rules and manages guest-worker programs on which many farms and others in the food industry rely.  Trump said Puzder “will fight to make American workers safer and more prosperous … and he will save small businesses from the crushing burdens of unnecessary regulations that are stunting job growth and suppressing wages.” Puzder is CEO of CKE Restaurants, which operates the Hardee's and Carl's Jr. [node:read-more:link]