Farm and Dairy’s week in review: 6/17

The long-awaited 2013 Farm Bill was put to vote June 20 in the U.S. House of Representatives and failed 195-234.

The Senate’s version of the bill was approved 66-27 June 10. The bills were similar, except the House Bill called for nearly $20 billion in additional cuts to the Food Stamp program, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

2. Local food advocate believes infrastructure is key to the future

Abbe Turner is a mother, wife, founder of the Ohio Sheep, Goat and Milk Initiative and a local food advocate. She’s also one of the people behind Lucky Penny Creamery in Kent, Ohio. The creamery was recently featured on WKSU’s program “Quick Bites with Vivan Goodman.”

Lucky Penny Creamery uses goat and sheep milk to produce Feta, Chevre and Ricotta cheese. Read Turner’s entire story here.

3. Pipelines are beginning to line Ohio’s landscape

As the exploration phase of Ohio’s Utica shale slowly comes to an end, the production phase is ramping up. Experts say approximately $130 to $210 billion will need to be invested in natural gas infrastructure to meet market needs.

Curious about how many pipelines are coming to your county? Make sure to see our pipeline infographic.

4. USDA says they can’t locate any more genetically engineered wheat in Oregon

In April, an Oregon farmer discovered a small number of volunteer wheat plants that were glyphosate-resistant. Amid concern the single incident could’ve been part of a larger phenomenon, the USDA began investigating May 3.

As of June 14, USDA has neither found, nor been informed of, anything that indicates the incidendent amounts to more than a single, isolated case.

5. Wolfinger family is leaping into the future of beef with a lot of faith

One Belmont County farm family is running toward something others are running from: cattle feed yards.

In 2009, the Wolfinger family purchased a feed yard in Lexington, Nebraska. Since then, the family has been involved with the business in Nebraska and Sugar Farms in Belmont County. Now the family is planning on moving to Nebraska permanently.