Brokaw, Chet. “South Dakota Farmers To Benefit From New Rail Shipping Plan”. Capital Press.com. Associated Press. 11 Oct. 2010. Web. 11 Oct. 2010.
This article is about a new railroad partnership that is making farmers in South Dakota have the opportunity to get more for their corn and soybeans. This new partnership would have the corn and soybeans shipped to the Port of Seattle, where they can then be shipped out to Asian markets which pay higher prices for corn and soybeans. In fact, farmers could get 15 to 25 more per bushel all thanks to this railroad partnership. Brokaw said that the improved shipping is also expected to encourage farmers to plant more corn and soybeans. I thought that this article was helpful to read in the context of my topic on the production of agriculture, since transportation is a huge part of the overall system. It also showed how transportation can have an effect on farmers and can either push them to grow more or less of a crop.
Reuters. “E.U. Considers Easing Rules on Biotech Crops in Animal Feed”. The New York Times.com. N.p., 8 Oct. 2010. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
In this article the author explains how the European Union is considering allowing a trace amount of unapproved genetically modified material in imports of animal feed. The United States along with other big grain exporters have called this draft proposal unworkable. The proposal was said to be a plausible solution when cargos of soybeans from the United States were blocked after traces of unapproved material were found. I thought that this article was very helpful because it showed me a different side to the food or feed production. And I just don’t see how allowing traces of genetically modified materials is a solution to their problem, although I do understand that they need the feed and are trying to get it there as fast as possible. Learning all this, I think that this article would be helpful for my argument.
MacPherson, James. “Cold-hardy ND Cows 'moo-ved' by Jumbo Jet to Kazakhstan to Rebuild Country's Beef Industry”. Los Angeles Times.com. Associated Press. 12 Oct. 2010. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
This article addresses the large quantity of cows that were bred and sent on a jumbo jet to Kazakhstan to help rebuild the former Soviet republic’s beef industry. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 most of Kazakhstan’s cattle were either sold or slaughtered. The deal between Bismarck-based Global Beef Consultants LLC and the Kazakhstan government calls for 2,040 Angus and Hereford cattle to be shipped on a dozen flights to central Asia by December 15, and is costing the government $50 million dollars. I thought that this article was really interesting. Who would of thought that we would be shipping cows on jumbo jets to other countries. I think that it’s really cool that these two countries can work together in order to help the other’s beef industry. What a great aspect to agriculture production internationally!
McFerron, Whitney & Campbell, Elizabeth. “Corn Crunch Means Costliest Beef Since 1980s”. The Seattle Times.com. N.p., 11 Oct. 2010. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
The authors of this article discuss how corn futures are preventing livestock producers from expanding their herds. The U.S. cattle herd in July was the smallest since 1973, and meat prices are expected to have a 14% rally this year. Corn futures jumped to a two-year high Monday and the price of the main feed ingredient is more than 70 percent above the 10-year average. As Mark Greenwood, a vice president at AgStar Financial Services, put it, “If grain prices go up, then meat prices are going to have to move up”. I really enjoyed this article and I feel it pertains directly to the agriculture production industry and would resourceful to use.
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