New York Times writer Mike Isaac reported recently that, “Even as Facebook grappled this month with an internal revolt and a cascade of criticism over its refusal to take action on President Trump’s inflammatory posts, the social network was actively making other bets behind the scenes. “Late one Tuesday, as attention was focused on how… Continue Reading
Author Archives: Keith Good
As Global Economy Slows, Tech’s Largest Companies Are Investing
MilkRun: Portland Startup That Pays Small Producers to Deliver Their own Goods Locally
Hannah Wallace reported recently at Bloomberg Businessweek Online that, “The case for buying locally produced food is stronger than ever. When the Covid-19 pandemic began to shut down Oregon and the rest of the country in mid-March, it both sped up the trend toward online grocery shopping and highlighted the shortcomings of the industrial food… Continue Reading
During Pandemic, Some Producers Shift to Direct-to-Consumer Models
Associated Press writers Lisa Rathke and Patrick Whittle reported earlier this month that, “Eric Pray is used to shipping seafood all over the country. But since the coronavirus took hold, he has shifted his focus closer to home — selling lobsters from a homemade tank in his garage. “Pray, of Portland, Maine, is one of… Continue Reading
Businesses / Workers Concerned About Coronavirus-Related Lawsuits
New York Times writers Ana Swanson and Alan Rappeport reported recently that, “Whether companies are liable if their workers and customers catch the coronavirus has become a key question as businesses seek to reopen around the country. Companies and universities — and the groups that represent them — say they are vulnerable to a wave… Continue Reading
June 30 Last Day to Complete Enrollment for 2020 Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage Programs
A news release yesterday from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) stated that, “Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2020 must do so by June 30. Although program elections for the 2020 crop year remain the same as elections made for 2019,… Continue Reading
USDA Announces Improvements to the Livestock Risk Protection Insurance Program This Summer
A news release earlier this week from the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) stated that, “[RMA] today announced changes to the Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance program for feeder cattle, fed cattle and swine starting this summer with the 2021 crop year. Changes include moving premium due dates to the end of the endorsement period… Continue Reading
EPA Offers Clarity on Dicamba Use After Court Ruling
Reuters writer Tom Polansek reported this week that, “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Monday that farmers can use existing supplies of an agricultural weed killer linked to crop damage, after a federal court blocked sales and use of the product last week. “The EPA said farmers have until July 31 to use supplies… Continue Reading
Poultry Executives Indicted Over Price Fixing Allegations
Financial Times writer Gregory Meyer reported last week that, “Four US poultry executives have been indicted in the first criminal case to emerge from a years-long investigation into whether meat companies rigged the price of chicken sold to restaurants and grocers. “One of the defendants is the chief executive of Pilgrim’s Pride, a New York-listed… Continue Reading
Quality Farmland Prices Appear Steady
DTN writer Victoria Myers reported recently that, “As many land auctions have moved online over concerns of the spread of COVID-19, prices for quality farmland have appeared to remain strong. “Last week [May 4th], R.D. Schrader, president of Schrader Real Estate and Auction Company based in Indiana, shared real-time sales results, to help indicate how… Continue Reading
Ninth Circuit Vacates Three Dicamba Registrations
DTN writer Emily Unglesbee reported yesterday that, “The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a decision Wednesday vacating the registrations of three dicamba herbicides, XtendiMax (Bayer), Engenia (BASF) and FeXapan (Corteva). The ruling does not appear to include Syngenta’s Tavium dicamba herbicide. “The ruling has enormous implications for farmers this summer, given… Continue Reading