Oil industry warns RFS waiver may hinder compliance, investment plans
Oil industry officials are raising concerns that a potential EPA waiver of the renewable fuel standard (RFS) could hinder the sector’s plans for investing in new production and complying with agency rules, as the potential for a waiver creates major uncertainty about how much renewable fuel the industry will have to produce.
FDA warns Iowa egg firm over bacteria
A company that promised to clean up Iowa’s egg industry after a nationwide salmonella outbreak in 2010 said Friday that a recent government safety inspection discovered the bacteria in two of its barns and that it took steps to protect consumers.
Increasing chicken feed costs may raise meat prices
A new U.N. survey revealed that the price of meat rose worldwide last month, in part because of the summer drought in the United States. Once again, much of it […]
Before the U.S. biofuels boom took off in 2007, the food vs. fuel debate raged: can we afford to use
Before the U.S. biofuels boom took off in 2007, the food vs. fuel debate raged: can we afford to use corn for ethanol in a starving world? Five years later, farm bankers ask: can we afford not to? "Ethanol demand is the linchpin of the current pricing model that we have," said Michael Swanson, agricultural economist at Wells Fargo, the largest commercial bank lender to U.S. farmers.
EPA opens 30-day comment period on RFS waivers; comments due Sept. 26
In a notice posted yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is seeking comments on letters requesting a waiver of the renewable fuel standard (RFS) and matters relevant […]
The great egg crisis hits Mexico
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announces new help for livestock producers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today made a series of announcements that continue to underscore the Obama Administration’s ongoing work to help farmers, ranchers and businesses impacted by the most severe drought in 50 years.
AMI, Temple Grandin release video on humane slaughter
The American Meat Institute and animal handling expert Temple Grandin have released a video that depicts and explains the cattle slaughter process at a large (unnamed) plant. While its release coincides with this week’s temporary closure of Hanford, Calif.-based Central Valley Meat over human handling concerns, the video has been in the works for some time, explained AMI Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Professional Development Janet Riley in a blog that includes the embedded video.
Mexican gov’t suspends egg import tariffs in the face of a bird-flu outbreak
The Mexican government suspended tariffs on egg imports in the face of a bird-flu outbreak that has caused the domestic price of eggs to double in the last two months, […]
Don’t blame It on the rain: The ethanol mandate is a bad idea in any year
The long drought will have real consequences for the nation’s food and energy markets. But it also creates an opportunity for Washington to take a hard look at the Bush-era […]