Five agri-stories you should read today (2-26-2014)

Here’s five stories you should read today, February 26, 2014.

1. Why Farmers Can Prevent Global Warming Just As Well As Vegetarians (NPR)

According to analysis that appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demand for meat products will double by 2050. With meat production accounting for 12 percent of global greenhouse gases, what can farmers do to limit their carbon footprint? Feed livestock more grain. When farmers, especially in developing countries, feed their livestock with grass, it increases the amount of pasture land needed to feed the herd.

2. In a first, Agriculture Dept. plans to regulate food marketing in schools (The Washington Post)

As part of first lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, an initiative to reduce childhood obesity, the USDA proposed marketing regulations that ban the advertising of unhealthy food in schools, including sugary drinks and food high in fat, sugar and salt. The proposal would affect advertising that’s commonly seen in school cafeterias, on scoreboards, vending machines and posters.

3. Feds announce plan to help feed honeybees amid die-offs (Al Jazeera America)

The USDA announced a multi-million dollar program to feed honeybee populations in the Midwest. It’s no secret that honeybee populations are dwindling due to colony collapse disorder, a phenomenon that is still being studied, but has resulted in the continuos shrinking of honeybee populations. The USDA hopes to stem the losses by providing more areas for bees to build food stores and strength for the winter.

4. Another drought victim — grass-fed beef (LA Times)

California is in the midst of one of the state’s worst droughts in recent memory, but it’s not only produce growers in the state that are affected. Beef operations in the state are also impacted. When it doesn’t rain, grass doesn’t grow — that’s where the problems begin. Grass-fed beef producers are citing production costs that have more than doubled because of the drought.

5. Beef bust: Three arrested, hundreds of pounds recovered (Farm and Dairy)

Where’s the beef? The Wayne County Sherrif’s office arrested three people for a heist the resulted in the theft of some 850 pounds of beef from a beef processor. The Sherrif’s bust uncovered a ledger that detailed the names and numbers of individuals who purchased beef from the three criminals.