ROCKINGHAM – As part of the ongoing mission of the Richmond Observer to provide expansive coverage of current events, we offer the following links to allow ease of access to news garnering attention across the state and/or nation. These particular links relate to items of interest in conjunction with NC’s rural communities and agricultural developments.
1- Smithfield Foods announced an ambitious plan to cover hog lagoons, including many in North Carolina, last week, and stakeholders are responding. North Carolina Health News
NC Farm Bureau Report NCFB-YouTube
How one company’s sustainability goal is poised to change an entire industry Environmental Defense Fund
2- USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue says his agency is considering the possibility of adjusting direct payments to producers who’ve been hurt by the trade war and might also factor in hurricane relief paid out. SFN Today
Ted McKinney will lead trade mission to Southern Africa Southeast Farm Press
Trade talks with Japan are in the works Morning Ag Clips
3- President Trump spoke on a number of topics at the National FFA convention, but he sought to assure the young crowd his policies are helping farm families and his trade agreements will be better than previous ones. Indy Star
4- Hog slaughter rates in the U.S. have stayed lower than expected while at the same time, the highly contagious African swine virus is spreading rapidly in China. Southeast Farm Press
Hog industry worldwide slaughtered in trade war Reuters
5- This is the time of year to be on alert for deer crossing our vehicles’ paths, particularly at dusk and dawn. WRAL
Wildlife Commission anticipates seasonal increase in coyote sightings NCWRC
Deer-related car crashes decreased in 2018, study finds WTVD
6- What to call cell-cultured meat, and whether or not it can even be called “meat,” was the topic at USDA-FDA meetings last week. SFN Today
7- The National Confectioner’s Association is anticipating $4.4 billion in candy sales this Halloween. Specialty Food
8- Southern Grace Distilleries in Mount Pleasant, housed in a former prison, has a bit of a spooky vibe, but some have detected that the property is haunted. Winston-Salem Journal
9- Imagine this: You get a snack craving and think, “I could really go for some cotton.” That prospect isn’t as off-the-wall as it sounds, as a Texas A&M researcher is working toward developing cottonseed that is safe for humans to eat and when roasted, tastes a bit like chickpeas. NPR
10- Enjoy this video from the Conservation Farm Family of the Year celebration at the Union Co. farm of winners Scott and Lisa Baucom! NCFB-YouTube
Editor’s note: It is the policy of the Richmond Observer to print news release material in its original format, as it was received, with minimal, if any, editorial adjustments.
