Ag News Roundup

In today’s Ag News Roundup, Japan increases tariff on U.S. frozen beef imports, genetics played a role in the history of dog domestication, Oregon nursery owner teachers lawmakers about the importance of farming, Morrow County wheat farmers help one of their own, and a new pulp mill opens in Washington state.

U.S. Frozen Beef Tariffs Rise in Japan

The Japanese government has issued a rise on the tariff for U.S. frozen beef until April 2018. According to Japanese officials, the measure is put in place to protect its own domestic beef producers. However, total frozen beef imports in the first quarter of 2017 were some of the largest on record. Additionally, Japan is one of the top markets for U.S. beef, importing 259,000 metric tons. The new tariff will be at 50%, which is substantially higher than the 38.5% tariff imposed previously.

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Dogs are Genetically Predisposed to Like Humans

Researchers with Oregon State University have discovered a genetic difference between dogs and wolves. The difference may explain why dogs prefer to live and interact with humans. The study found that domesticated dogs have the same genetic markers associated with Williams-Beuren syndrome found in some people. Humans with the disorder display hyper social behavior.

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Oregon Nursery Owner Picked to Educate Lawmakers

Angi Bailey has been picked by the American Farm Bureau to train the public, lawmakers, and the media about American farming, ranching, and the importance of understanding how food is raised and grown. The group will head to Washington D.C. to speak to lawmakers in September.

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Morrow County Wheat Farmers Lend Helping Hand

Virgil and Debbie Morgan of Ione, Oregon received help with their harvest from fellow wheat farmers. The family had to fly out to Texas to be with their son and daughter-in-law who had given birth to a baby girl with a rare obstetric disorder. Virgil, who is 68, returned home, expecting to harvest 1,600 acres on his own. Instead he found that his fields had been harvested by the community.

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Eastern Washington Mill Utilizing Wheat Straw

A new pulp mill is opening soon in Southeast Washington. The new mill will pull cellulose out of leftover wheat and alfalfa straw and covert that to usable pulp. The process was started by University of Washington and developed by Renton-based Sustainable Fiber Technologies. The company promises that farmers will soon be able to sell their waste straw.

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