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TOP HEADLINES
Oklahoma farmers weigh in about Right to Farm ballot measure:
But for the actual farmers whose blood runs with the red dirt of Oklahoma and who raise chicken, cattle, sheep and hogs, the ballot measure goes deeper. For every farmer who harvests wheat and corn, and for every hog farmer who watches livestock born and shipped off for processing, SQ 777 has far-reaching implications [Red Dirt Report].
Market analysis disputes Kirkpatrick Foundation food price claims:
In a recent web posting, The Kirkpatrick Foundation claims that the prices of several popular products produced by Oklahoma’s pork and chicken industries have risen sharply since 1992. But figures can lie and liars can figure [Oklahoma Farm Report].
More than $1 million raised in support of Oklahoma SQ 777:
Campaign filings show the Oklahoma Pork Council is a major supporter of a state question that would make it harder to pass new laws to regulate agriculture in the state, and the Humane Society of the United States is the single largest donor opposing the measure [NewsOK].
FEDERAL
Trade deal’s supporters counterattack:
But despite the boisterous politics and candidates’ dead-on-arrival declarations, business groups have launched a well-funded, national effort to lobby their way to TPP approval [Politico].
Sorry food industry, the historic GMO food labeling bill is anything but (opinion):
Many of the food trade associations are thrilled with the result issuing statements that this move will eliminate confusion and help consumers understand more fully what GMOs are and are not. I’m not so sure [Forbes].
ELECTIONS
Here is the mysterious high roller Donald Trump wants to put in charge of our food:
Like Trump, Herbster is an unconventional business titan with political ambitions [Mother Jones].
Both parties used to back free trade. Now they bash it.:
Democrats and Republicans agreed on almost nothing at their conventions this month, except this: free trade, just a decade ago the bedrock of the economic agendas of both parties, is now a political pariah [New York Times].
MISCELLANEOUS
Despite drought, California farming prospered:
It might not be what you expect to hear about California agriculture in the throes of drought: After four years of historic water shortages, farm earnings in the state increased 16 percent, and total employment increased 5 percent [News Deeply].
McDonald’s tweaks its recipes: now, real butter in the McMuffin:
At an event Monday at its headquarters here, McDonald’s announced several changes to its ingredients, including eliminating artificial preservatives from some breakfast foods and Chicken McNuggets, its most popular food item, and removing high-fructose corn syrup from its buns [New York Times].
