OKAgPolicy Today is a morning email containing the day’s top agriculture and policy headlines. The inclusion of a particular story does not equal an endorsement. Subscribe to the email here.
OSU Professor: Cage-free eggs more expensive, less humane
Because eggs are the cheapest form of protein and have few substitutes, keeping the cost low and satisfying the agenda of animal rights activists is difficult, said Jayson Lusk, Oklahoma State University agricultural economics professor, in a recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece. The article stems from a Massachusetts ballot initiative that would require all eggs sold in the state to be from cage-free hens. [OKAgPolicy]
TOP HEADLINES
STATE QUESTION 777 HELPS FARMERS FEED THE WORLD: As a second-generation family farmer in Skiatook, Oklahoma, I’m proud to produce food for our growing world. I’ve been entrusted with a God-given responsibility to protect the land, water, animals and environment in my care. My grandfather passed the land onto my father, who started farming and passed it on to me. I understand my actions today will affect the livelihoods of my children and grandchildren. [Skiatook Journal]
OKLAHOMA HOUSE PASSES REVENUE MEASURES TOTALING $240 MILLION IN LATE-NIGHT SESSION: The Oklahoma House worked into the early morning hours Friday as it struggled to pass bills that legislative leaders say are needed to help fill a projected $1.3 billion hole in next year’s state budget. [Tulsa World]
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES FY2017 AG BILL: The Senate Committee on Appropriations on May 19 approved a $147.7 billion appropriations bill to support federal agriculture and nutrition programs in fiscal year 2017.The FY2017 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill was favorably reported out of committee and is now available for consideration before the full Senate. [High Plains Journal]
SLUMPING FARM ECONOMY FUELING ‘MERGER MANIA’: Justin Dammann, a young farmer in southwest Iowa, saw his neighbor’s new home, shed and farm equipment and figured he was doing well. Then the bank told his neighbor he had to sell some land and equipment so he could stay in business. “It can happen to any of us,” the 36-year-old, who grows corn and soybeans near Essex, said. “We need to be conservative.” [Des Moines Register]
MITCH DANIELS TAKES ON ‘CALLOUS, HEARTLESS AND CRUEL’ ANTI-GMO ACTIVISTS: The former Indiana governor, now president of Purdue, says agricultural technology will save millions of lives. ‘Lots of people said to tell you they wish you were running for president,” I said to Mitch Daniels, president of Purdue University, when I met with him last month. Daniels laughed. “When people said that in 2012, I would ask, ‘Is the field that weak?’” He sighed and shrugged. “But this year, I’m not really sure what to say.” [National Review]
