Poultry Farm Gets Go-Ahead for Wind Turbine

from: thepoultrysite.com

“A poultry farming business in Lancashire has been given permission to install a wind turbine, which will cut the enrgy costs of the business and reduce its carbon footprint.

A father-and-son team are leading Bury’s green revolution – by building a 98ft-high wind turbine on their farm, according to Bury Times.

It’s all systems go for Raymond Taylor and his son, Daryl, after the pair won planning permission from Bury Council last week to install the turbine at Singlehurst Farm in Castle Hill Road.

They hope to have it up and running by the end of the year and will cater for the farm’s entire energy needs when the weather is most windy.”

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Consumer Attitudes Towards Beef Products

from: thebeefsite.com

“Can diversified, low-external-input (LEI) cropping systems produce yields and profits that match or exceed those obtained from conventional systems?

The results of this study demonstrate that region of origin is the most important factor influencing consumer attitudes regarding beef products. Consumer preference for beef that is locally produced will be more highly valued than products produced in other regions of the country and in other countries. This indicates that a premium can be obtained by local Iowa producers marketing their products as a local-Iowa brand.”

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Cycling of Phosphorus in Grazing Systems

from: thebeefsite.com

“Before addressing soil phosphorus levels under pastures it is important to gain a better understanding of the phosphorus cycle operating in our soils supporting pasture which is grazed by livestock, writes Fiona Leech, District Agronomist, NSW DPI. This report is a primefacts publication.”

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For Now, an End to the Beef Hormone Dispute

from: thebeefsite.com

“The beef hormone dispute between Europe and the US ran for 20 years before recently being brought to a four year close. Adam Anson, reporting for TheCattleSite finds out what the resolution will hold.

The dispute began back in 1989 when the EU banned imports of hormone treated meat on fears of food safety. But this ban was to have a profound effect on trade with the US and Canada whose industry largely comprised of treating beef cattle with hormones in order to make them grow faster and bigger.

The US and Canada responded by imposing retaliatory measures against the ban, suspending their obligations and imposing import duties in excess of bound rates on imports from the EU, and by initiating a WTO dispute settlement proceeding.

This case is now the single longest running dispute in the history of the World Trade Organisation, fluctuating between favourable verdicts on both sides for almost two decades. This year, the two sides tried something new and began an attempt to solve the dispute outside of WTO courts.”

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Minnesota Organic Farm Tours

from: agrinews.com
“Tom and Irene Frantzen will host a tour of their 370-acre organic farm in New Hampton on Aug. 7 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Discussion topics will range from the Iowa Farm Bureau’s carbon sequestration program, to weed control in organic soybean fields, to a comparison between grass-fed and grain-fed cattle.

A light supper will follow sponsored by the Midwest Organic Sustainable Education Service. The Frantzens raise cattle, hogs, corn, soybeans, barley, forages and alternative crops on 370 acres. They have practiced holistic management since 1992. All crops and livestock have been marketed organic since 2002.”

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U of M putting more effort into researching organic production

from: agrinews.com

“Special funding from the 2007 Legislature is helping the University of Minnesota increase their research efforts into organic production.

Robert King, a professor in the applied economics department, facilitated a discussion about the university’s research during an event called Organic Field Day. It was held July 9 at the U of M Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton.

According to King, the university is searching for, or will soon be looking for, people to fill two new faculty positions. One position will be related to organic cropping systems and will be based at the SWROC in Lamberton.

The other position will focus on organic dairy systems and will be based at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris. The university’s Alternative Livestock Systems program, coordinated by Wayne Martin, also received funding.”

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Full Circle Organic Dairy Farm hosts open house in Seymour

from: postcrescent.com

“Anyone interested in the future of food may want to check out the Full Circle Organic Dairy Farm’s Open House Saturday.
The event will be held on the farm of Rick and Valerie Adamski and highlight the latest in sustainable family farming.

“In the past we’ve hosted pasture walks for farmers and this year we want to invite consumers as well as farmers,” Rick Adamski said.

For more than 25 years he has been operating the farm he grew up on and has always taken a keen interest in sustainable family farming.

“All of my farming career I have been dedicated to farming with nature,” said Rick. Their farm features a 110-foot-tall, 35-kilowatt turbine that supplies the electrical needs of the farm as well as provides extra energy purchased by We Emergies.”

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Organic Dairies Hitting Hard Times (AUDIO)

from: nhpr.org (New Hampshire Public Radio)

“In his organic pasture in Tinmouth, Vermont, Leo Branchaud is listening to his Jersey milkers munching.

“ I love the sound of cows eating grass. Ah! Make milk! Every bite’s more milk!”

<a href="http://www.nhpr.org/node/26277"

Organic ‘has no health benefits’

from: bbc.com

**This was posted as it is being widely referenced by other articles.**

“There is little difference in nutritional value and no evidence of any extra health benefits from eating organic produce, UK researchers found.

The Food Standards Agency who commissioned the report said the findings would help people make an “informed choice”.

But the Soil Association criticised the study and called for better research.

Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine looked at all the evidence on nutrition and health benefits from the past 50 years.”

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Deciphering poultry and beef labels

from: examiner.com

“Many of the rules for interpreting dairy and egg labels also apply to labels in the meat department. For example, “All Natural” means simply that no artificial colors or ingredients have been added and that the meat has been minimally processed. “USDA Organic” means the meat is grown without the use of antibiotics or hormones and that the feed used for the animals is not exposed to artificial pesticides.”

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Locally grown food becoming more popular

from: redding.com

“Do you have your own “family rancher”? A lot of customers of Dan and Malinda Martin feel like they do. The Martins are trying to surf the trend toward eating more locally produced food, the benefits of which can include better health and a smaller carbon footprint.”

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Cheese company commits to Maine-made products

from: knox.villagesoup.com

“Anyone who wants to learn not only how cheese is made, but also how it was invented, should talk to State of Maine Cheese Company owner Cathe Morrill.

She said she is used to giving educational tours to children and families at her business on Route 1 in Rockport.

State of Maine Cheese has been in business for more than 25 years, making its own cheese using only milk from Maine dairy farms, Morrill said. She said she works with Oakhurst Dairy in Portland, and the company also uses Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association certified organic milk from Caldwell Farms in Turner. Both dairies choose not to use artificial bovine growth hormone in their milk production, which she said is important to her and her customers.”

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GreenBiz: Despite recession, climate change, organic farming future appears bright

from: wisbusiness.com

“From Buffalo County to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin companies continue to profit from organic farming despite the recession and the threats of climate change.

Some of the reasons for optimism are projections of a growth market in organics, studies showing how organic farming helps keep soil nutrient rich, and the support of the Obama administration.

Organic farming advocates were encouraged by some of the pledges from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who recently appeared at the La Crosse Interstate Fair.

Vilsack said he was bringing in new staffers in the organic farming area of USDA who would work closer with farmers. He also told a rally of organic farmers, concerned about what they consider abuses of the certification rules by some large corporations, that he’ll make sure USDA enforced those rules.

“We support family farmers,” said Jeff Gunderson of the Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service . “It was somewhat encouraging to see the secretary meet with farmers.”

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Organic Valley Recognizes the Next Generation of Organic Farmers

from: csrwire.com

“Underscoring its commitment to fostering the next generation of organic farmers, Organic Valley Family of Farms, the nation’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation’s leading organic brands, recently recognized three of its young farmer-owners, with Generation Organic (Gen-O) awards.

The Gen-O Awards were created in 2008 to recognize individual 18-35 year old Organic Valley farmers who have demonstrated commitment to organic farming and preserving the family farm and rural community through leadership, stewardship and innovation. One winner from the western, central and eastern regions was selected and awarded an all-expense paid trip to the Kickapoo Country Fair, an annual event celebrating rural heritage and the future of farming in La Farge, Wis. The winners also had a chance to meet with Organic Valley leadership and were awarded a $500 donation to a non-profit or community organization of their choice in their name.

Recognized during a special presentation on July 26 at the Kickapoo Country Fair, the three winners were:

Casey Knapp of Preble, New York (East)

Mitch Lucero of Richfield, Idaho (West)

Matt Fendry of Lanesboro, Minnesota (Central)”

Full Article Here

Compost Tour 2009

from: oardc.ohio-state.edu

Ohio State University is planning a compost tour. See biogas production systems, digesters and more.

More Information Here