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.
TOP HEADLINES
Join the ‘Family Farmers Support SQ777’ Facebook challenge:
Here’s how it works . . . 1) Video you and your family stating that you support SQ 777. 2) Post the video to your Facebook wall. 3) Tag other farm families to challenge them to do the same [Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association].
HSUS solicitors busted in Oklahoma:
A number of concerned citizens called the Central Oklahoma Humane Society—which is no surprise, since many people assume that it would be related to HSUS. It isn’t, but HSUS is happy to collect money from an unknowing public [Humane Watch].
STATE
Arguments continue in wind farm lawsuit:
Cheyenne Ward and her family have noisy neighbors on their ranch east of Okarche. The sound makes it difficult to sleep at night and disrupts the otherwise tranquil landscape. She is among a group of residents who are suing a large wind farm developer, Apex Wind Construction [Journal Record].
FEDERAL
Members of EPA glyphosate panel chosen:
EPA has finalized the membership of the panel that will examine the carcinogenic potential of glyphosate. The list of scientific experts was posted without fanfare on EPA’s Scientific Advisory Panel website today. The agency also has posted the agenda for the meeting, which will take place Oct. 18-21 at the Office of Pesticide Programs building in Crystal City, Va [Agri-Pulse].
Why did the Obamas fail to take on corporate agriculture?:
In order to follow the eight-year drama starring Big Food and both Obamas — for soon after the inauguration, the first lady would step in to play a leading role — it’s important to know what Big Food is. Simply put, it is the $1.5 trillion industry that grows, rears, slaughters, processes, imports, packages and retails most of the food Americans eat [New York Times Magazine].
MISCELLANEOUS
Shoppers see benefits of falling prices, competition:
Food prices are falling, but how is that translating to your grocery bill? The cost of groceries is down an average of about 2 percent over the past year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, including a nearly 9 percent drop for raw ground beef and 4.3 percent drop for roasted coffee [AP].
Explaining the US food surplus:
Warehouses, distribution centers and grocery stores are overflowing with some food staples, such as milk, eggs and frozen fruits and vegetables, the result of increased production and decreased exports. The glut of food means lower prices for consumers [Des Moines Register].
California keeps on farming, with or without water:
The two main paths to a more sustainable agricultural future for California seem to be groundwater regulation that puts limits on how much farmers can pump and water markets that allow farmers to profit from not using water [Bloomberg].
