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Agribusiness

Biden agenda, lithium mine, tribes, greens collide in Nevada

RENO, Nev. — Opponents of the largest lithium mine planned in the U.S. urged a federal judge in Nevada on Thursday to vacate the U.S. government’s approval of the project until it completes additional environmental reviews and complies with all state and federal laws. U.S. District Judge Miranda Du said after a three-hour hearing in Reno that she hoped to make a decision “in the next couple months” on how to proceed in the nearly two-year-old legal battle over the Bureau of Land Management’s approval of the mine Lithium Nevada Corp. plans near the Nevada-Oregon ...

Organic livestock farmers, hit by rising prices, seek help

WHITINGHAM, Vt. — Organic dairy and other livestock farmers are seeking emergency federal aid as they grapple with skyrocketing organic feed costs, steep fuel and utility expenses as well as the consequences of drought in many parts of the country. Two dozen U.S. senators and representatives wrote to U.S. Agriculture Department Secretary Tom Vilsack this week asking for emergency assistance for these farms. National and regional organic farming groups have also reached out to the department and the heads of the congressional committees. Organic dairy farmer Abbie Corse, whose more ...

“Women in Dairy” event in Hutchinson

ST. PETER - The Minnesota Dairy Initiative and the University of Minnesota Extension announce the upcoming Women in Dairy event. The “Women in Dairy: Using Baler Twine and Barn Lime” event is planned for Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 at the Crow River Winery (14848 MN-7) in Hutchinson. The event’s purpose is to inspire women with ties to the dairy industry through networking, education and empowerment. This year’s program will feature Laura Daniels. Laura Daniels is a farmer, coach, consultant and agriculture advocate. For 15 years Laura served as the General Manager of her dairy, ...

2023 Women in Ag Network Conference on February 7

ST. PAUL — “Building Resilience on your Farm and in your Family,” the 2023 Women in Ag Network Conference will be February 7 in Willmar at the Willmar Conference Center (240 23rd Street SE, Willmar). This event will be a day of learning and networking for women involved in agriculture. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the conference program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monica McConkey, a rural mental health specialist and founder of Eyes on the Horizon Consulting, will be the keynote speaker. McConkey grew up on a farm, giving her first hand insight into farming operations and the ...

Fighting food poisoning: Sweeping poultry changes proposed

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday proposed sweeping changes in the way chicken and turkey meat is processed that are intended to reduce illnesses from food contamination but could require meat companies to make extensive changes to their operations. Despite decades of efforts to try and reduce illnesses caused by salmonella in food, more than 1 million people are sickened every year and nearly a fourth of those cases come from turkey and chicken meat. As it stands, consumers bear much of the responsibility for avoiding illness from raw poultry by ...

Use caution in applying anhydrous ammonia

ST. PAUL — Many farmers and custom applicators will soon apply anhydrous ammonia (NH3) after harvest. Even with a rush against time and the weather, safety should never be compromised. Accidents involving NH3 have proven how dangerous and deadly the fertilizer can be when not handled properly. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is providing the following tips to farmers, fertilizer dealers, and custom applicators to safely field apply NH3: •Always wear NH3-rated goggles and gloves. Never wear contact lenses. •Be sure to have a clean and accessible emergency water supply ...