Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. Click on the links to go straight to the full story
“Farmers raise concerns on Smithfield buyout,” Fayetteville Observer: As Tom Butler says, he and many other farmers who raise hogs for Smithfield Foods are nervous about the company’s $4.7 million buyout last month by a Chinese pork producer. Butler, who raises 8,000 hogs on a farm in southwest Harnett County, said farmers fear the unknown – whether the Chinese industry will honor its commitment to leave North Carolina’s hog operations unchanged, and for how long. …
“WNC farmers lose millions in heavy rains,” Asheville Citizen Times-News: Figures are in for farm losses in the mountains, and they’re eye-popping. Torrential rains, particularly 13.69 inches in July, flooded fields and ruined crops ranging from tomatoes to sod. Henderson County alone tallied $42.8 million in crop losses, according to Mark Williams, executive director of Agribusiness Henderson County, an public-private nonprofit in Hendersonville. “It’s certainly one of the worst years we’ve seen,” Williams said. …
“Friday’s USDA Crop Production Report Likely a No-Show,” Southern Farm Network: (Audio) The government shutdown will likely keep USDA from issuing its crop reports this Friday and American Farm Bureau Federation Chief Economist Bob Young says that will disrupt commodity and futures markets. USDA’s website has gone dark and it’s scheduled release of key reports now seem highly unlikely – with those who work on the reports furloughed. …
“European Vote Could Hurt NC Tobacco Exports,” WUNC: U.S. tobacco growers are watching new regulations being considered across the Atlantic. The European Parliament is set to vote on guidelines that would curtail the use of additives in tobacco that provide flavorings to the plant. Burley tobacco — produced mainly in Kentucky — contains a number of additives that change the taste. North Carolina has some burley growers, but mostly exports flue-cured tobacco. N.C. State extension economist Blake Brown says any new regulations could hurt tobacco farmers. …
“Iseley thanks ag workers in accepting award,” Burlington Times-News: Flanked by Gov. Pat McCrory and N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler on Tuesday morning, a proud Jane Iseley held high above her head the 2013 Conservation Farm Family award, the Super Bowl trophy of sustainable farming. …
“North Carolina ag commissioner calls for delay in food safety legislation,” Southeast Farm Press: Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is calling on Congress to delay finalization of new federal food safety rules until more public input can be factored into developing a final comprehensive program. “The Food Safety Modernization Act will be one of the most sweeping food policy changes enacted in my lifetime, and we need to be sure we get it right,” Troxler says. …
“NCDA offers reminder that farmers markets are open,” Greenville Daily Reflector: Officials with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are reminding people that many of the state’s farmers markets are open during the fall.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said the four state-operated farmers markets in Asheville, Charlotte, Colfax and Raleigh are open all year, as are many farmers markets operated by counties, cities and towns. …