- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The University of California was called in to help settle a dispute between neighbors in Rail Road Flat over hen and roosters' cackles and crows. According to an article in today's Stockton Record, three rural families have met in court twice to argue the case of the vociferous farm animals, only to come back with split decisions.
"I want to be a good neighbor. But at the same time, this place is zoned ag," the story quotes chicken owner Dave Redmond.
"I have to cover my ears or wear earplugs," Terry Baker was quoted.
The UC Cooperative Extension...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
A sprinkling of newspapers ran stories today based on the ANR press release distributed yesterday on the potential economic effects of passing Proposition 2. Voters will decide in November whether to approve the initiative, which would require egg producers to employ cage-free production practices.
In addition to spreading news about the likely downfall of the California egg industry, the coverage revealed that there's something about eggs that begets puns.
The Sacramento Bee said the "November ballot measure meant to improve the lives of the state's laying hens...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The debate over Proposition 2 is beginning to heat up. The proposition, which will appear on the November ballot, was designed to regulate treatment of farm animals. So far, voters seem to be in favor of the idea. According to a story in today's San Jose Mercury-News, a field poll found that two-thirds of California voters will mark their ballots in favor of the initiative.
Among other things, Prop 2 would end the common practice of housing egg-laying hens in cages in California starting in 2015. A new study released today by the UC Agricultural Issues Center found that nearly all of the $330 million
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Director of the UC Agricultural Issues Center, Dan Sumner, indicated that declining agricultural research is contributing to a hike in global food prices, according to an article in today's San Francisco Chronicle.
There has been a decline in investments in agricultural research and development at the federal and state levels and worldwide, with more resources diverted to improving efficiency, the story paraphrased Sumner.
"It's a long-running phenomenon I think we ought to pay a lot more attention to," he was quoted.
The Chronicle story, by George Raine, also attributed the spike in food prices to:
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- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Following a long holiday weekend, there are a few ANR news stories to catch up on:
Last week, the Sacramento Bee ran an article about a price increase for another food commodity: eggs. The story, written by Jim Downing, says wholesale egg prices have shot up 27 percent since mid-May.
The story quoted UC Davis Cooperative Extension specialist emeritus Don Bell. He told the reporter that a sizable shipment of eggs last month to Japan and Iraq apparently tightened domestic supplies, driving prices up.
The Sacramento Bee today ran a story about a side effect of this year's dry spring: numerous...
