Ag News Roundup

In todays Ag News Roundup, traffic noise stalls frog mating season, dairy farmers add safety training, Clif Bar looking for organic farmers, drones cause problems for ag pilots, and landowners get protection from agritourism.

Pacific Chorus Frog Competes with Traffic Noise

The mating sound from the Pacific chorus frog is being drowned out by traffic noise, states Oregon State University researchers. While the frogs can change some aspects of the mating call, including duration and frequency, steady traffic noise could jeopardize the species in heavy traffic areas. The findings were published in the journal Ecology and Evolution.

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Washington State Dairy Federation Embracing New Safety Training

Safety training will be delivered to a few hundred Washington dairy workers due to an uptick in on-the-job injuries. The Washington State Dairy Federation states that it plans to offer the training to nearly all 3,000 of the state’s dairy workers if it receives public funding.

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Clif Bar Looking for More Organic Growers

The Twin Falls, Idaho company has experienced exceptional growth and is now expanding its network of local organic growers. The company hopes to use 100 percent organic ingredients soon. The company is looking into seed cultivators for oats.

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Ag and Drone Pilots Meet Over Safety Concerns

The proliferation of drones has sparked concern among agricultural pilots in Eastern Oregon. Pilots from both sides of the debate came together at Eastern Oregon Regional Airport to work out the details and ensure agricultural pilots get the clearance they need to do their job.

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Protecting Landowners from Agritourism Lawsuits

Agritourism is quickly becoming a moneymaking venture in Washington State, but landowners can often be vulnerable to lawsuits due to injuries. Recently passed Washington State Senate Bill 5808, sponsored by Senator Judy Warnick (R) is designed to protect those landowners. The Senator hopes the law will safeguard farmers who “want to invite people out to find out where their food comes.”

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