The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether jurisdiction rests with the federal district or appellate courts to hear a lawsuit brought by several agricultural organizations, businesses and municipalities against the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, a Clean Water Act rule that would give the government broad jurisdiction over land and water. “The WOTUS rule is vague, … Read More
NCBA Showcases Cattle Operation’s Conservation Practices
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Catoctin and Frederick Soil Conservation Districts hosted an event to highlight the successful conservation efforts by farmers and ranchers that have led to the improvement of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Scott Yager NCBA’s Environmental Counsel said voluntary conservation efforts have proven successful at Hedgeapple Farm, an Angus operation located in Frederick, Md. “We know … Read More
Novozymes Recognized For Combating Climate Change
As governments work to adopt the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) laid out in the Paris Agreement, CDP has announced its annual ‘A List’ of the highest scoring companies on climate action. Novozymes was once again included on the list due to the company’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate “Apart from being honored to once again be recognized … Read More
Farm Groups Defend GMOs in Teleconference
Leaders from two national farm associations held a teleconference this morning to unveil plans for a “Straight Talk” campaign to engage the food industry in a dialogue on sustainable agriculture production, the marketing practices used to reach consumers, and the intersection of both trends. The call, hosted by the United States Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and the National Milk … Read More
Sage Grouse Management Based on Inaccurate Science
One year after the announcement by the Department of Interior that a listing under the Endangered Species Act was not warranted for the greater sage grouse and the implementation of restrictive resource management plans for the species, the Public Lands Council and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association submitted a report to the agencies citing concerns with the methodology used. Ethan Lane, … Read More
BLM to Gather Sand Wash Wild Horses
A decision signed last week will allow the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to begin gathering up to 50 wild horses from northwestern Colorado’s Sand Wash herd management area (HMA) next month. The young horses will be bait-trapped and placed in the Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary (GEMS) training and adoption program, and fertility control treatments will be administered to any … Read More
USPOULTRY Recognizes Clean Water Award Winners
Sanderson Farms, of Kinston, North Carolina, and Tyson Foods, of Russellville, Arkansas, were recently named the recipients of the 2016 Clean Water Award, presented by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). The award recognizes poultry facilities that have excelled in their efforts at water reclamation. Awards were presented during USPOULTRY’s Environmental Management Seminar in Destin, Floria in two categories: … Read More
Senate Highlights EPA Enforcement of WOTUS
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has released a report highlighting examples of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) illegally asserting jurisdiction over features that are traditionally exempt from the Clean Water Act. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals is continuing their nationwide stay on enforcement of EPA’s “waters of the United States” final rule, but according to this … Read More
BLM Recommends Increased Management of Wild Horses
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board has recommended that significant management changes be made to address the exploding population of wild horses, and the animal welfare catastrophe that has resulting from the population increase. Dave Eliason, president of the Public Lands Council (PLC), said this is a step in the right direction. “As a … Read More
Enviro Groups Hamper Endangered Species Conservation
According to the Public Lands Council (PLC) and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the Center for Biological Diversity along with other radical environmental groups threatened to sue the Department of Interior and Fish and Wildlife Service to force action on 417 proposed listings under the Endangered Species Act, all stemming from a massive lawsuit settlement brokered behind closed doors and … Read More