Graphic of the Week
GRAPHIC: In U.S. food system, crops use most freshwater
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Crops use more than 60% of the water that the food system requires, according to USDA research.
Opinion
The Ag Blazin’ Five for 2021 (and beyond)
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OK...it's once again time for your audacious commentator to give his hot takes on the agriculture stories that will make news in 2021. This year I've enlisted the help of Homer Simpson who truly knows something about predicting agricultural events before they happened (witness the Simpson take on a horsemeat scandal and the invention of the “tomacco plant”).
Government
Does efficient irrigation technology preserve groundwater? A new GAO report says the answer is probably no.
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Note: This story is embargoed for republication until Nov. 24, 2019
Efficient irrigation may produce more crops, but it doesn’t appear to preserve groundwater, according to a federal report released this week. Decades of irrigation has already depleted aquifers that many irrigated farms rely on, according to the report from the Government Accountability Office, and efficient systems appear to not help. Minus a few exceptions, GAO researchers found “there is no change in the amount of water farmers apply to a field with more efficient technology,” according to the Nov. 12 report.
#agalerts
#AgAlerts: Water: unaffordable; contaminated; flooding results
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A new report finds nearly half the residents of Martin County, Kentucky, cannot afford water service. Local activists with the Martin County Concerned Citizens are ringing alarm bells about water affordability as the beleaguered county faces another likely water rate increase in the coming months.
Environment
Most nitrate, coliform in Kewaunee County wells tied to animal waste
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The latest findings from a study of drinking water wells and their surroundings finds manure from cows that is stored or spread on farm fields poses the highest risk for certain contaminants.
Drinking Water
Crisis in our wells: Iowa’s private well water often goes untested, presenting unknown health risks
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Many Iowans may not know what is in their water because their wells’ water quality is unregulated. Moreover, many well owners IowaWatch spoke with during an investigation this past year in counties across southwest Iowa said they largely were unconcerned about their wells, even though tests revealed high levels of nitrates and bacteria in some of their wells.
agriculture
Controversial water rule put on hold
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A federal appeals court ordered a nationwide block last week on a controversial water rule designed to clarify what water bodies the U.S. government can lawfully regulate.
Environment
Government finalizes polarizing piece of water regulation
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The EPA and Army Corps of Engineers finalized the Waters of the U.S. rule on Wednesday. The agriculture industry and farmers have opposed the rule, calling it a Washington power grab. Although finalized, the rule still faces lawsuit threats and legislative obstacles.
Clean Water Act
Waters of the U.S. comment window set to close
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The public comment period for a proposed rule defining "Waters of the U.S." is set to close on Nov. 14, more than half a year sine the rule was first introduced. During that time, thousands of national lawmakers, state authorities and agriculture officials have criticized the rule.
Agribusiness
EPA roiling the U.S. waters
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In March, the EPA issued a proposed rule to define what is considered a water body under its jurisdiction. Since then, farmers throughout the Midwest have expressed concern over the rule. Some have even claimed it could drastically change the way farmers run their businesses.