Carbon Taxing Food

New EPA rules could conceivably be interpreted to mean that livestock producers will be required to pay a carbon tax based on the number of animals on their premises. This is absolutely crazy. It will drive enough producers out of business that the cost of food in the form of animal proteins will go sky high. The last time that I looked, food was somewhat important to life on this planet. Below is just one of numerous related articles.

Livestock industry raises stink over EPA report on air pollution

If you think about it, livestock are converting unusable carbon into edible carbon. A cow converts grass into beef. Would you rather be eating grass or beef?

Most of the beef in our grocery stores comes from corn-fed cattle. That corn is raised by farmers who use diesel to fuel their tractors. That diesel will also be taxed. So, that means livestock producers in this instance will be subject to double taxation if a "cow" tax is implemented. Our country -- the world -- has lost its ever-loving mind over "climate change" when in fact, 2008 will be the coolest year of the decade. What is the world coming to????!

Ethanol Consolidation Appears to be Beginning

It was only a matter of time given the tight or non-existent margins in the ethanol industry. Much of the initial capital came into ethanol companies because of favorable tax incentives. Now we will see consolidation.

I suspect that we are only beginning the first wave of consolidation. It will be driven by the most efficient current producers. The second wave will see the major oil companies entry.

First signs of consolidation in ethanol industry

New Free Resource on Feeding Distillers Grains

A free downloadable book is available from Iowa State on feeding distillers grains to livestock and poultry. It can be accessed at the link below.

MATRIC Publishes Book on Feeding Distillers Grains

BLM Rules on Oil Shale Development

It will take all forms and sources of energy to achieve energy independence. This one will be more controversial than some of the others, but needs to be part of the solution.

Bureau of Land Management Finalizes Rules That Could Add Billions of Barrels of Oil to U.S. Supply

More on Wild Horses

My last post about "wild" horses received a lot of comments. I think that I will just post the link and leave any commentary to visitors.

A Dramatic Rescue for Doomed Wild Horses of the West

Adapting the Texas Energy Grid to Wind

Managing the power grids for variability in wind power generation continues to be an area of opportunity for the new energy economy. Texas is leading the way in adjusting to that variability because of its dominance in the industry. The article linked below discusses some of the things being done to handle the variability.

Texas Adjusts Its Grid for Wind

Natural Gas Hydrates in Alaska

Any wagers on the Democrat controlled Congress and White House of the next administration allowing the development of this resource?


Gas Hydrates on Alaska’s North Slope Hold One of Nation’s Largest Deposits of Technically Recoverable Natural Gas

Secretary Kempthorne Releases USGS Assessment, Says Gas Hydrates Could Significantly Add to U.S. Energy Mix

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and U.S. Geological Survey Director Mark Myers today released a USGS assessment estimating that there are 85.4 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered, technically recoverable gas from natural gas hydrates on the Alaskan North Slope. This would be enough natural gas to heat more than 100 million average homes for 10 years, according to current usage rates provided by the Energy Information Administration. However, further research, including long-term production tests, still is needed to demonstrate gas hydrates as an economically producible resource.

“The assessment points to a...(complete article here).

The Reason Wild Horses are a Problem

The real problem is the horse slaughter ban passed by Congress. The BLM is being overrun by feral horses -- horses that people have released into the wild because they no longer wanted to care for them. Our country has a serious problem with these feral horses -- and that's just what they are -- the glamorous "wild mustang" of the Old West is a fiction today. Most of the horses running wild across our country were from poor stock to begin with. The better animals are kept and the worthless ones released into the wild because there is NO MARKET for them! To fix this problem we MUST allow domestic horse slaughter plants to operate.

Nevada: Costs Threaten Wild Horses

Steve Kopperud Speaks to CattleNetwork

The animal rights activists are well-armed and well-funded, but agriculture has its advocates as well. One that I had the privilege of hearing last week is Steve Kopperud of the consulting firm, Policy Directions, Inc. He had some very straight-forward things to say to the Texas Cattle Feeders about those animal activists. The article linked below will give you a taste.

Jolley: Five Minutes with Steve Kopperud, Senior V.P., Policy Directions

Achieving Energy Independence Overestimated

In the Houston Chronicle is a great article about energy independence titled "Energy `independence' is easier said than done" (click on the link to view it.) It discusses the global nature of the oil business and how energy flows around the planet. It also points out some issues regarding energy security that are relevant to the discussion. I highly recommend the article.

Until we truly have alternative energy sources that can replace oil, we will not be energy independent. We must look beyond fuels like ethanol and biodiesel to radically new technologies. We need to be thinking "science-fiction-like" technology, not a re-hash of the same old thing. The future will belong to the engineers and scientists who develop the new "power pack" that will power the future.

The Cost of Greening California

Someone else is finally seeing the big picture of renewables. California is "broke" already. Now, they will ask their taxpayers to make the "Green Moguls" wealthier.

California study shows high cost of renewable power

New EPA Requirements for Livestock Operations

Most confined animal feeding operations do an excellent job of controlling manure and wastewater. State permitting processes require management plans that protect water resources. Now, the EPA has joined the process making it even more expensive for livestock operations to become permitted.

New Requirements for Controlling Manure, Wastewater from Large Animal Feeding Operations

Fiscal Issues Week Focus of Senator Cornyn

With the current economic turmoil faced by our nation being prominent in the news, U.S. Senator John Cornyn has focused his website on fiscal issues for our nation. I am privileged to have a guest post on the Senator's site which can be viewed here. I appreciate the Senator's efforts to bring these vital issues to the public's attention during this election season. He has been a strong advocate for fiscal conservatism and I believe will continue to bring that message to the Senate as we send him back for a second term. Thank you Senator for your efforts!

Better Air and Consistent Growth Through Partnership

Texas often gets a bad rap from other parts of the nation due to the stereotypical image of oil-guzzling rednecks that is often associated with the state. In reality, Texas is leading the nation in development of alternative energy technology and in reducing pollutants in our atmosphere. The free-enterprise, private-initiative attitude of the state in which private industry and government entities can partner to achieve common goals is a model that should be emulated by the rest of the nation. Cooperative efforts, rather than burdensome regulation, are key to the successes.

As North Texas grows, air becomes cleaner

Release date: 10/28/2008
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas – October 28, 2008) As the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s economy has grown to one of the nation’s most vibrant, its citizens have also enjoyed improvements in air quality. This summer saw the lowest levels of ozone in three decades, thanks to a campaign to reduce air pollution led by the...(complete news release here).

Highe Cost Infrastructure Impacts Wind Generation

As we gain new information with the passage of time, we often learn that our best laid plans are more costly than anticipated. Such seems to be the case in Texas according to a new study of the costs of building high-capacity wind generation infrastructure within the state.

Texas study cites high cost of harnessing wind

DOI's Bison Conservation Initiative

The American Buffalo or Bison is an important species native to much of the North American continent and is an icon of the nation. I enjoy seeing them in various places as I travel around the country. Most of them are in small herds on private lands. I would not like to see them restored at the expense of private property rights or at the expense of the important use of some federal and state lands for cattle and sheep, however, a balanced approach that includes conservation of the species is important. They also make for pretty good eating....

Secretary Kempthorne Launches Bison Conservation Initiative

New Jersey: Garbage to Fuel Source

Good for New Jersey. All of the large metropolitan areas need to be utilizing their decomposing garbage for fuel.

Green Garbage: Trash Becoming Key Power Source in New Jersey

From Aggie Carrots to Tomatoes

At first glance, one would think that maroon carrots at A&M were just a gimmick based on the school colors. The fact is that the maroon carrots are high in a specific antioxidant that has been shown to be life-prolonging in laboratory mice. The work done there has now been utilized by others to produce maroon tomatoes. Who knows, maybe the world of food will slowly become maroon and white, demonstrating the real impact of Texas A&M's role in feeding the world. Gig 'em!!



A&M's maroon carrot branches out
Based on research at school in the '80s, scientists are starting to develop purplish tomatoes with a life-prolonging antioxidant

Increasing Deer Numbers Provide Surprising Benefits

The article linked below discusses some surprising new findings regarding high deer populations and their effect on other creatures within their ecosystem. It provides more evidence that we don't know what we think we know....

High deer population may benefit forest critters

Deer are often blamed for damaging forest habitats by overgrazing

Wind Development Continues to Challenge Power Grid

As I traveled across Texas this week I was amazed at the dramatic increase in the number of wind generators. The stretch from north of Snyder, Texas, to Abilene, Texas, is becoming one continuous wind power generating field. The grid still is not able to fully utilize all of that power -- and there is more being built -- especially futher north into the Texas Panhandle and on up through the High Plains of Kansas and Nebraska. The article linked below discusses some of the grid issues.

Wind development seen biggest challenge for power grid

Reproductive Issues Impact Bottom Line of Dairies

Reproductive efficiency and health are critical to profitability in all livestock operations but critically so to dairies. One contibutor to both reproductive and health issues is the presence of cattle persistently infected with BVD. Eliminating those animals from the herd can have very positive results for the bottom line.

Reproductive inefficiency eats at dairy producers' wallets

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Now that many producers are unable to utilize rBST, maximizing the dairy operation's reproductive efficiency is more critical than ever, said a Purdue University expert.

Allen Bridges, expert in reproductive management, said with the loss of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) - which increased milk production by 10 percent to 15 percent, and, in some cases, was demonstrated to...(complete article here).

Biofuel Waste to Riches

Potential new bi-products from biofuel waste may revolutionize the biofuel industry.

Adding Value to Biofuel Waste

What do you get when you cross E. coli with biofuel waste products? A new process that may revolutionize the economic development of the growing biofuel industry.

Biofuels represent the best sustainable, secure, and renewable alternative to fossil fuels. Unfortunately, biofuel production is beset by the same problem as traditional petroleum refining – excess waste. In traditional refining, only about...(complete article here).

Ethanol Subsidy Market Distortions

Iowa State takes a different look at the impact of ethanol.

Ethanol: A Welfare-Increasing Market Distortion?

Xiaodong Du, Dermot J. Hayes, Mindy L. BakerOctober 2008 [08-WP 480]

This study estimates the welfare changes for consumers and producers resulting from ethanol production and related support polices in 2007. The results suggest a positive welfare gain from the support policies; this is possible because ethanol subsidies effectively replaced a market distortion that had a larger deadweight loss. Previous farm subsidies created overproduction, which then depressed market prices and increased the cost of maintaining target-price supports. Ethanol polices resulted in additional ethanol production, but because this additional ethanol was sold in price elastic energy markets, the price depressing impact of the government supports was less than before. This resulted in lower government spending and a net welfare gain of $2.65 billion for given market parameters. The results are...(complete news release and link to study here).

Green Refinery?

New technology is coming quickly that will revolutionize the way we manufacture fuel. Here is another example.

'Green refinery' would be a first

Plant's aim is to capture carbon emissions

Offshore Texas Wind Power Delayed

Wind power development in the Gulf of Mexico is facing a different set of challenges than onshore developments in Texas. To its advantage, it would have much fewer miles for transmitting the power to population centers. On the downside, it is much more expensive to develop and infrastructure to transmit it is more expensive. There is also the threat of hurricanes.

A Few Snags, But Hopes Are Still High for Offshore Wind in Texas

The word on the street is that the Lehman failure has put a halt to T. Boone Pickens wind development plans as well. It's just a rumor -- don't quote me on it.

Wind Power on the Reservation

I think it's wonderful that the Indian tribes want to get in on the wind power boom. The biggest problem they face is that most reservation lands are far from population centers where the power is needed. Infrastructure to transport that power into the grids where it can be utilized will be an issue.

Along with their bid for wind power, they might consider trying to attract industry that can utilize that power. New industry would provide badly needed jobs for the reservations. Instead of "take the power to industry" they might look at "bring industry to the power."

Indian Tribes See Profit in Harnessing the Wind for Power

National Energy Awareness Month

October is National Energy Awareness Month.

National Biofuels Action Plan Released

You need a plan if you expect to accomplish anything -- even if what you are trying to accomplish isn't the right thing.

USDA & DOE Release National Biofuels Action Plan

WASHINGTON – Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Ed Schafer and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today released the National Biofuels Action Plan (NBAP), an interagency plan detailing the collaborative efforts of Federal agencies to accelerate the development of a sustainable biofuels industry.

“Federal leadership can...(complete news release here).

Ethanol Secrets of the Bovine

This one is common sense. Cattle have been utilizing roughage since they were created.

Secret for efficient ethanol in cows' stomachs?
Professor: Enzyme that helps digestion could be the key
(complete article here)

Malawi and the New Green Revolution

One Brit's perspective on how Malawi is becoming food independent.

Seeking Africa's green revolution

From the begging bowl to the bread basket: in just two years, Malawi has gone from famine to food surplus - a minor agricultural miracle.

By applying a mixture of...(complete article here).

Ecosystem Approach to Preservation

It is important that critical habitats be reserved for endangered species. This new ecosystem approach might speed the process.

Feds Propose Putting 48 Hawaiian Species on Endangered List at Once

HONOLULU — The federal government took a new, ecosystem-based approach to the endangered species list on Tuesday, proposing an all-at-once addition of 48 species, including plants, two birds and a fly, that live only on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

The action by the Interior Department would designate about 43 square miles as critical habitat for all the species rather than considering each species' habitat separately, which has been the practice for three decades. Officials said considering...(complete article here).

Get Out the Military Vote

U.S. Senator John Cornyn has developed a new website to help our military to be able to vote in the upcoming Presidential election. It is a portal to important information and critical dates to ensure that their vote will count. Please get the word out to any military personnel that may have questions about their voting rights. It can be accessed at www.texasmilitaryvote.com.

Gene Identified to Improve Rice Yields

Rice is the number one food crop for the majority of the people on earth. Improved yields are critical for meeting future food needs.

Scientists identify gene that may contribute to improved rice yield

A team of scientists, including Hong Ma, Penn State distinguished professor of biology, has identified a gene in rice that controls the size and weight of rice grains. The gene may prove to be useful for breeding high-yield rice and, thus, may benefit the vast number of people who rely on this staple food for survival. "Our work shows that...(complete news release here).

National Hunting and Fishing Day, Sept. 27

Hunting and fishing are important aspects of American culture as well as critical pieces of managing our wildlife species. They both are also excellent family recreational activities.

National Hunting and Fishing Day, 2008

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

From our rugged peaks and mountains to our shining seas, our Nation is blessed with remarkable natural treasures. These magnificent landscapes are places where families and friends can create lasting memories and enjoy the outdoors. On National Hunting and Fishing Day, our country honors the many contributions of America's hunters and anglers, who add to our heritage and keep our wildlife populations healthy and strong. (complete proclamation here)

More Wind Dollars to West Texas

Yet another story on the wind farms in West Texas.

Wind power dollars pour into west Texas economy

By Eileen O'Grady
BLACKWELL, Texas (Reuters) - Millions of dollars in new tax revenue generated from the wind power boom sweeping rural west Texas have helped fund a rash of school building projects, the first signs of an expected economic revival.

"It's the greatest thing that...(complete story here).

Plastic From Sugar Coming Soon

Plastics from sugar is a further shift to renewables and away from petroleum.


Bacteria Ready to Make Plastic From Sugar

Eric Bland, Discovery News

Sept. 26, 2008 -- Claims of biology-based oil and plastic usually bear the caveat "in five years." But a San Diego-based company claims they will have a pilot plant for production of E. coli-based 1,4 butanediol (BDO), the base chemical for plastic products ranging from Spandex to car bumpers, next year.

"We are able to...(complete article here).

House Reviews Use of Antimicrobials

I believe the judicious use of antimicrobials is important to animal agriculture, however, I also believe that the danger of potential microbial resistance is such that better attention to disease prevention should precede the use of antimicrobials. In cattle, one excellent way to improve heard health is through pro-active diagnostic testing. In particular, testing for animals persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVD) and removing positive animals from the herd can greatly reduce the incidence of disease and thus reduce the need for antibiotics or antimicrobials. BVD is both a direct, disease causing agent and an immuno suppressant. As an immuno suppressant, it makes the animal's immune sytem more vulnerable to attack by bacteria that may be present in the environment. For futher information on BVD-PI animals, see this post. For related issues see this post and this post.

Subcommittee Reviews Antimicrobial Use and Animal Health Issues

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Leonard Boswell, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, held a hearing to review advances in animal health, particularly the use of antimicrobials in the livestock industry.
The subcommittee...(complete news release here).

Rwanda and Healthy Development

Rwandan Researchers promoting a balanced approach to development. Attention to Ecosystems critical to success of agriculture and overall economic health.

Rwanda: Economic Development Depends on Healthy Ecosystems

Kihesi Rwaguma
Kigali

Natural resources and ecosystem services contribute significantly to economic growth and poverty reduction.

They provide us with food, fuel, natural medicines, ease flood impact, prevent soil erosion; they are a source of recreation and tourism, just to mention a few of the benefits.

Rwanda is now...(complete article here).

More Texas Wind Farms

The wind farms continue to grow throughout the West Texas landscape.

On Texas prairie, wind power is resurgent

By Eileen O'Grady
ROSCOE, Texas (Reuters) - Fewer people curse the ever-present breeze that sweeps the treeless West Texas landscape these days, where the flat horizon has been overtaken by hundreds of wind turbines that produce electricity for distant city dwellers and new income for rural residents.

"Now we love the wind," said Max Watt as she...(complete article here).

Manure From Washington Over Manure in Agriculture

This is an incendiary article written by someone with an agenda. The "Congressional investigators" mentioned in the article need to get out of Washington and check out the real world occasionally. But, they're too busy eating their $40 porkchops and $60 steaks.

Large CAFO's (confined animal feeding operations) are highly regulated and inspected regularly with regard to controlling runoff, etc.

Report: Manure runs too freely at factory farms

Congressional investigators question EPA proposal to loosen regulations

WASHINGTON - Some huge livestock farms produce more raw waste than cities as large as Philadelphia or Houston. But federal regulators are failing to control pollution from the gigantic operations or assess health risks from the enormous quantities of manure they produce, according to congressional investigators.

The Government Accountability Office report on the raw waste was...(complete article here).

Jobs in "Green" Industries

New industries created around emerging energy technologies as well as waste and water management will be a source of many new jobs in the coming years.

Landmark New Report Says Emerging Green Economy

New York (ILO News),24 Septembre 2008-A new, landmark study on the impact of an emerging global "green economy" on the world of work says efforts to tackle climate change could result in the creation of millions of new "green jobs" in the coming decades.

The new report entitled Green Jobs: Towards Decent work in a Sustainable, Low-Carbon World, says...(complete news release here).

Reviewing Fisheries Law in Europe

Growing world populations continue to increase demand for food resources. Fisheries are an extremely important source of protein for much of the world. Better management is critical in order to prevent collapse of this extremely important resource.

European Fisheries Law Undergoes Review

by Ben Block on September 24, 2008

After a recent series of unsavory news reports, the European Commission has announced that its fisheries policy may need to be overhauled due to continued ecological decline and unsustainable fishing practices.

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg announced a laundry list of flaws with the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in a statement released last week. "In its current form, the CFP does not encourage responsible behavior by either fishermen or politicians," Borg said.

In response, the Commission...(complete article here).

Nitrogen Retention Study

This is interesting research on nitrogen retention in soils. My first question is, what is the impact to crop yields?

Getting the Dirt on Nitrogen in Agroecosystems

Results: Crop soils that are fed with biologically based nitrogen do a better job than synthetic fertilizers at retaining nitrogen, so less escapes into the air and water. Scientists from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Canada drew this conclusion after developing detailed nitrogen budgets—inputs, losses, and storage—of three agroecosystems in western Canada. Understanding...(complete news release here).

Regulating Genetically Engineered Animals

Genetic engineering is a growing industry that affects everything from food production to medicine and fuel.

FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Regulating Genetically Engineered Animals

Public comment invited on application of new animal drug provisions of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, today released for public comment draft guidance on the regulation of genetically engineered (GE) animals. The guidance document is intended to clarify the FDA's regulatory authority in this field, as well as the requirements and recommendations for producers of GE animals and products derived from GE animals.

The comment period for the...(complete news release here).

U.S. Helping Chinese Coal Mines Clean Their Act

We constantly hear rhetoric from extremists about how the U.S. is the major culprit in the production of greenhouse gases in the world. What we don't hear is how U.S. technology is leading the way in helping some of the worst polluters in the world to reduce their emissions. The project discussed in the news release below is a good example of U.S. leadership in reducing pollutants into the atmosphere.

U.S. Helps Chinese Coal Mines Find Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Release date: 09/16/2008

Contact Information: Suzanne Ackerman, (202) 564-4355 / ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - Sept. 16, 2008) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has committed more than $1 million to assess the economic and technical feasibility of recovering and using methane from coal mines in China. If methane recovery programs are implemented at all three project sites, up to 1.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent could be reduced each year. That's equal to the annual emissions of up to 330,000 passenger vehicles.

"Methane recovery technologies can be...(complete news release here).

New Funds for Wetlands Protection

Protection of wetlands is critical for waterfowl and for protection of our water resources.

Secretary Kempthorne Announces $26 Million for Wetlands Grants, $4.1 Million for Refuge Acquisitions

Drilling Bill? Don't Count On It

It is politics at its worst in regard to passing an energy bill in the months leading up to the Presidential election. There will be parts of any legislation that is introduced that will make it unacceptable to the opposing party. It will stall and die. What a sad way to treat the American people.

Drilling takes center stage on Capitol Hill
Ideas galore, but an energy bill seems unlikely to make it out alive

5 Farming Improvements to Save Money and the Planet

This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of colleges online. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com.

5 Farming Improvements to Save Money and the Planet

The notion of going green is nothing new, but hasn’t farming always been a green industry? Most would think so, but sometimes farming and ranching can have dangerous environmental impacts. However, many new and exciting technologies have been developed over the last several years that are becoming more mainstream and feasible to incorporate into farming. What follows is a list of some farming improvements that can help you ultimately save money and the planet at the same time.

Produce and use biodiesel. Biodiesel is no longer a pipe dream; it is rapidly becoming big business. Converters for trucks and farming machines are cheap and easy to install—and can practically cut your fuel cost in half. Producing and refining your own is also worth looking into, and helps minimize waste in the process, all while reducing dependence on foreign oil.

Harness the power of the wind. Look into installing a turbine or two on your property. Certainly, these are expensive items, but their value over time will certainly make the risk worth the return. Federal grants are also available, and tax credits are given once the implement is installed. You can also sell your extra energy to power companies and create some extra revenue.

Install solar panels. Some areas of the country are far sunnier than others. Installing solar panels on outbuildings and barns can help to make those units self-sustaining when it comes to power issues, and can be a great way to minimize our use of traditional power.

Switch to organics. The market for all things organic is bursting at the seams, and the commodities sell at a higher price. Look into certifying your farm, for there are many benefits. Dangerous fertilizers and pesticides would be eliminated from your immediate environment, which would help the health of you, your family, and Mother Earth.

Sell off surpluses for ethanol. There is actually a current trend of saturation and overproduction because of ethanol, so this may not be feasible in all areas of the country. However, rather than just letting surpluses go to waste, getting something for your hard work is preferable to nothing at all.

U.N.'s Look at Poverty

The U.N. has taken a new look at poverty around the world.

Poverty Around The World

"...The World Bank also adds that the previous $1 a day estimate for the international poverty line would have been $1.45 a day at 2005 prices if only inflation was accounted for.

The revised estimates include a lot more recalculations and the $1 a day measure used in some of the charts below are therefore not to be confused with the old $1 a day measure, and where available, a $1.45 measure is also provided as well as a more current $1 a day measure. (Because some developing countries also have poverty lines at $2 and $2.50 a day, those are also shown, where available.)

At a poverty line of $1.25 a day, the revised estimates find..." (complete article here).

Russian Agriculture

I recently added "Russia Today" to my Google Reader news feeds. Most of the time I find it interesting to see how their "take" on events around the world (e.g. conflict in Georgia) varies from the Western media. The article below is an interesting look at how Russian agriculture operates.

Russian harvest up as Russian agriculture looks to transform

As food prices become a greater source of concern around the world, Russia will enjoy a record harvest this year. But industry experts say improving the productivity of Russian agriculture and dealing with rising fertilizer prices are the challenges which lay ahead.

Russia's agriculture ministry has...(complete article here).

The Carbon-Viral Connection

This amazing planet we live on is equipped with marvelous systems for maintaining itself. We are only beginning the process of understanding how it all works. How can we be so arrogant as to believe that our puny efforts affect "climate change" in any meaningful way?

Viruses are hidden drivers of ocean's nutrient cycle

PARIS (AFP) - Scientists on Wednesday said they had discovered deep-sea viruses to be an unexpectedly potent driver of the so-called carbon cycle that sustains oceanic life and helps dampen global warming.

Under the carbon cycle, microscopic algae at the sea surface suck up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Many of these microscopic creatures, called prokaryotes, become infected by naturally-occurring marine viruses.

When they die, their...(complete article here).

Infrastructure Issues in New York and Pickens "Plan"

The article mentions T. Boone Pickens being "ahead" of other wind development companies in his efforts to "piggyback" a power transmission line on his water right-of-way (which by the way is likely in trouble). In spite of his $56 million PR campaign which involves robbing the Texas Panhandle of its precious water resources in order to invoke eminent domain takings of private property so that he can build his electric power lines, the state of Texas is far ahead of him with its $5.4 billion CREZ efforts to tie the ERCOT grid into the wind power generated in the Panhandle. Pickens is spending the money on the PR (the linked article below being some of the fruits of that campaign) so he can make 100's of millions off of the people of Texas by using legal loopholes against them.

Wind Energy Bumps Into Power Grid’s Limits

When the builders of the Maple Ridge Wind farm spent $320 million to put nearly 200 wind turbines in upstate New York, the idea was to get paid for producing electricity. But at times, regional electric lines have been so congested that...(complete article here).

Managing for Cryptic Species

What is the best approach when a species becomes endangered to the point that it is difficult or impossible to observe?

Study shows when to manage species

Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Stephen Pincock
ABC

Conservationists should carry on managing the environment as if a seemingly vanished species is still around, rather than rushing to check whether it is extinct, say researchers.

A team from Australia, France and the United Kingdom have used...(complete article here).

Conservation-minded Gardening

Xeriscaping and use of native plants can be a great way to conserve water in home landscaping projects.

New style of gardening reduces environmental footprint

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

University Park, Pa. -- As Pennsylvania's dry season arrives, many gardeners fear that their lush landscape will wither under scorching heat. However, a gardening expert in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences says smart landscaping practices can both save water and ensure the garden's survival.

With dry weather conditions increasing...(complete article here).

New Pacific Island Sanctuaries Fast-Tracked

I love it -- from the President the Environmentalists love to hate....

Bush proposes protections for Pacific islands, atolls and reefs

The plan to guard against mining and fishing is expected to be finalized before the president leaves office.

By Kenneth R. Weiss,
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 26, 2008

President Bush on Monday signaled his intention to protect some of the Pacific Ocean's most remote and unspoiled islands, atolls and coral reefs from fishing and deep-sea mining.

In a memo to three Cabinet secretaries, the president asked for a plan that would protect parts of the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on the planet, as well as waters around Rose Atoll in American Samoa and various islands and reefs in the central Pacific that are under U.S. jurisdiction.

The proposal, expected to...(complete article here).

Nitrogen-fixing, Hydrogen-producing Bacteria

This is interesting. With the high cost of nitrogen for fertilizer due to the high cost of fuel, maybe this technology can lower both costs simultaneously!

Hydrogen-Producing Bacteria Provide Clean Energy

By Rosalie Marion Bliss
August 25, 2008

A new "green" technology developed cooperatively by scientists with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and North Carolina State University (NC State) could lead to production of hydrogen from nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Renewable sources of energy...(complete news release here).

Wind Turbines Effect on Bats

I recently attended the Panhandle Wind and Wildlife Conference in Amarillo, Texas. One of the topics discussed was the effect of wind turbines on birds and bats. The speaker was Ed Arnett of Bat Conservation International who is one of the experts cited in the article below. One of the points discussed was the role of bats in controlling insects.


Wind Turbines Kill Bats Without Impact

Jessica Marshall, Discovery News

Aug. 25, 2008 -- Researchers have found the cause behind mysterious bat deaths near wind turbines, in which many bat carcasses appeared uninjured.

The explanation to this puzzle is that the bats' lungs effectively...(complete article here).

New Canadian Wildlife Areas

One of the more important aspects of this agreement is in relation to waterfowl.

Canada creates new wildlife areas in far north

TORONTO (Reuters) - The Canadian government and a number of Inuit groups unveiled a pact on Friday that will shelter the habitat of polar bears, bowhead whales and other animals in the country's northern Nunavut territory.

Canada will spend C$8.3 million ($7.9 million) on the agreement, which will...(complete article here).

Irradiated Lettuce and Fresh Spinach Now

Good move. They've been irradiating beef for awhile now.

FDA Announces Final Rule Amending the Food Additive Regulations to Allow for the Irradiation of Fresh Iceberg Lettuce and Fresh Spinach

Yams for Ethanol

I prefer mine with butter and brown sugar....

Sweet Potato Out-Yields Corn in Ethanol Production

StudyBy Don Comis
August 20 , 2008

In experiments, sweet potatoes grown in Maryland and Alabama yielded two to three times as much carbohydrate for fuel ethanol production as field corn grown in those states, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists report. The same was true of tropical cassava in Alabama.

The sweet potato carbohydrate yields...(complete article here).

Cell-sized Batteries on the Horizon

Now that's a small battery!!

MIT engineers work toward cell-sized batteries

Microbatteries could power tomorrow's miniature devices

Elizabeth A. Thomson,
News Office
August 20, 2008

Forget 9-volts, AAs, AAAs or D batteries: The energy for tomorrow's miniature electronic devices could come from tiny microbatteries about half the size of a human cell and built with viruses.

MIT engineers have...(complete news release here).

Negative Global Warming???

No comment.

This year so far coolest for at least 5 years: WMO

Gulf of Mexico Lease Revenue

This is good news for the State of Texas and longer-term, for gasoline prices in the U.S.

Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 207 Attracts $487,297,676 in High Bids

New Markets Grant Full Access to U.S. Beef

This is good news for the beef cattle industry.

COSTA RICA, BELIZE, QATAR AND GHANA JOIN NATIONS FOR FULL MARKET ACCESS OF U.S. BEEF

Water for Irrigation: Time Now to Plan

Many times we hear of the competing needs between water for cities and water for agriculture. It is nice to hear a voice that recognizes that water -- irrigation water -- is necessary to feed the world. Where will we get sufficient water for irrigation? It is a question that must be answered quickly when we consider the rapidly growing world population.

Water everywhere, and not a drop to grow

Limited availability of fresh water is often overlooked as a cause of food scarcity and environmental decline, according to Colin Chartres. Governments should be ramping up efforts to make sure we have enough to grow crops as well as enough to drink, he argues.

This year, the world and, in particular, developing countries and the poor have been hit by both food and energy crises.

As a consequence, prices for many staple foods have risen by up to 100%.
When we examine the...(complete article here).

New Oil Terminal on Texas Coast

New oil infrastructure is necessary due to the significant aging of existing facilities. With the expansion of refineries on the Texas Coast, this new oil terminal will facilitate offloading tankers to supply those refineries.

Platform may take 20 percent of oil imports

Project is expected to cost $1.8 billion

By John Porretto
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, August 19, 2008

HOUSTON — An oil terminal and pipeline network expected to be built off the Texas Gulf Coast and open in about two years would be capable of handling nearly 20 percent of the nation's daily imported oil.

Demand from expanding refineries along the coast, from Freeport to Port Arthur, is driving the...(complete article here).

Sorghum Biofuel Conference

Grain sorghum is tolerant of drought and poor soils and is grown in areas unsuitable for other biofuel crops with high water requirements. I would rather see it used for ethanol than corn. Corn takes far too much water.

USDA Conference Spotlights Sorghum's Biofuel Potential

By Ann Perry
August 18, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 18, 2008—Sorghum's potential as a biofuel crop will be explored at the International Workshop on Sorghum for Biofuels which begins in Houston, Texas, tomorrow. More than...(complete news release here).

Brazil: The Next Breadbasket of the World

Brazil is quickly becoming the new breadbasket of the world. There are struggles though. Besides the internal political battles and the normal battle with the environment, Brazilian farmers often must also battle the world's environmentalists.

The Amazon basin and accompanying jungle are important reservoirs of biological diversity. Care must be used to retain that diverse environment. Many important drugs will be derived from the plants there. We also must consider the potential food plants that have fed the native populations for centuries.

Growth of the farming sector must consider the value of the native flora and fauna. It will be interesting to watch them "walk the tightrope" of development.

As the article mentions, one of their more daunting problems is developing infrastructure at a pace that will meet the needs of development.

Brazil's farms see quiet revolution


By Gary Duffy BBC News,
Sao Paulo

On the family farm run by Joao Baggio Neto in the southern Brazilian state of Parana, you get some sense of the determination and competitive spirit that motivates Brazil's farmers.

Blessed with what often seems like endless amounts of land and a good climate, Brazil has grown in recent years to become an agricultural superpower.

Joao Baggio says the most important improvement in his part of the country in the past decade has been the increase in productivity.

"We came from a...(complete article here).

Nature's Recipe Mimicked for Extracting Hydrogen

Hydrogen will become an increasingly important fuel source. It's efficient extraction will be critical to making it cost effective.

Hydrogen harvested using nature's recipe

Researchers have split water into hydrogen and oxygen by replicating how plants use photosynthesis to make carbohydrates.

The team of Australian and US researchers says their findings...(complete article here).

Nuke Plant Licensing Roadmap

It will take a number of new nuclear power plants to help ease the energy supply issues of the future.

DOE, NRC Issue Licensing Roadmap For Next-Generation Nuclear Plant

WASHINGTON, DC –The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) today delivered to Congress the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) Licensing Strategy Report which describes the licensing approach, the analytical tools, the research and development activities and the estimated resources required to license an advanced reactor design by 2017 and begin operation by 2021. The NGNP represents a new...(complete article here).

New USGS Report on Ground Water Availability

New water report available from the USGS.

Ground-Water Availability in the United States

Scientists proposed a strategy to study the Nation's ground-water supply as part of the Federal government's effort to help address the Nation's increasing competition for water.

Declines in ground-water levels have led to...(complete news release here).

Report on the Panhandle Wind and Wildlife Conference

The Panhandle Wind & Wildlife Conference was held this past weekend in Amarillo, Texas. The article linked below was written about that conference.

Learning a bit about wind, wildlife

It is important that we use a "whole landscape" approach to new energy development. We have an opportunity to do a better job of considering the implications of development and the potential impact on the environment in a manner that was unheard of when oil and gas development began.

Related links:

http://kvii.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=172380

http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=16593

http://www.newschannel10.com/global/story.asp?s=8813945

UN Biofuels Standard Under Development

Guidelines for bio-fuels development is probably a good idea, however, each country ultimately must address its own internal issues.

UN-backed expert group takes steps to establish new biofuel standard

13 August 2008 – A United Nations-backed group of international experts has endorsed a first draft of a new global sustainability standard for biofuels to assess their economic, social and environmental effects.

The Steering Board of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB), which includes an expert from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), today signed off on...(complete article here).

Americans Driving Less

The price of fuel is having an impact on our driving habits.

Miles driven in June down 12.2 billion: government

A New Widget on Texas Coal Wars

You will notice a new widget in my sidebar from SnagFilms about the "Texas Coal Wars." It links to a film by Robert Redford concerning the fight in Central Texas over a number of new coal plants that had been "fast-tracked" for construction by Texas Governor Rick Perry. Normally, I would be hesitant to include this type of link on this site because on the surface, it appears to be on the opposite side of the energy issue from that which I normally occupy. I think, however, that this particular film is very informative about the need for environmental responsibility in our energy development and how communities can work together to achieve a positive response that reaches toward the goal of responsible development that considers the environment as well as jobs and tax bases.

Below are some links that might be of interest (especially after viewing the film):

http://www.greendallas.net/pdfs/TCACC_EPA_Award_050808.pdf

http://www.pollutiononline.com/article.mvc/Texas-Clean-Air-Cities-Coalition-And-0002?atc~c=771+s=773+r=001+l=a&VNETCOOKIE=NO

http://www.thefeedstock.com/2006/09/texas_cities_form_coalition_to.php

http://www.susmangodfrey.com/news/2006-08-ClearAir.html

http://www.txu.com/about/

http://cbs11tv.com/entertainment/Laura.Miller.Movie.2.627518.html

Thermodynamics and Food Production

This is an interesting look at energy use and food production.

Feeling the heat of food security

Peter Baker

Reforming the economics of food production and supply would be beneficial for a number of environmental and social problems, argues Peter Baker. A key issue, he says, is understanding the energy involved in putting food on your plate.

Global development, global debt, global warming, food miles, food security, food riots, peak oil, peak water…

What's this got to do with small farmers and global food chains?

The answer is that all the issues mentioned above intersect over small farmers.

If we can't quite get a grip on what is happening to the world, we won't be able to do a good job for them, and we'll waste a lot of resources in the process.

It's perfectly reasonable to...(complete article here).

Endangered Species Regulations: New Approach

A new approach to federal evaluation of projects and their impact on Endangered Species.

Bush to relax protected species rules

By DINA CAPPIELLO

WASHINGTON - Parts of the Endangered Species Act may soon be extinct. The Bush administration wants federal agencies to decide for themselves whether highways, dams, mines and other construction projects might harm endangered animals and plants.

New regulations, which don't require the approval of Congress, would reduce the...(complete article here).

For additional reading: Secretary Kempthorne Proposes Narrow Changes To ESA Consultation Process

New Funds Available for Clean Coal Technology

Until coal is replaced as a primary fuel for electrical generation, it will be critically important to implement better technologies for limiting pollutants into the atmosphere.

DOE Seeks Applications for Third Round of Clean Coal Power Initiative Funding Opportunity

Announcement Solicits Applications for Carbon Capture and Sequestration

WASHINGTON, DC –The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued the final Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Round 3 of the Clean Coal Power Initiative (CCPI) which seeks to accelerate the commercial deployment of advanced coal technologies to help supply the United States with clean, abundant, and affordable energy. DOE anticipates...(complete article here).

Reviving the Uranium Rush

The new uranium rush is anticipating a resurgence of the nuclear power industry.

Uranium rush starts again in Colorado

By Sandy Shore
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, August 10, 2008

DENVER — Cattleman George Glasier sees the next nuclear era amid the blood-orange mesas of the Paradox Valley, the same western range lands that hold a darker legacy from the last rush to pull uranium from the ground.

Residents of the valley, near the Four Corners region, are getting an unimpeded view of the second uranium rush. Many are worried.

Glasier, a one-time mining executive turned rancher, wants to build a uranium mill on...(complete article here).

Thermo-electric Exhaust Conversion

A 10% improvement in fuel economy is a big deal.

Researchers work to convert car exhaust into energy

By Margaret Harding, Associated Press
WARREN, Mich. — The stinky, steaming air that escapes from a car's tailpipe could help us use less gas.

Researchers are competing to meet a challenge from the U.S. Department of Energy: Improve fuel economy 10% by...(complete article here).

Kenedy Wind Farm Lawsuit Dismissed

Wind and wildlife -- the conflicts are only beginning.

Federal judge dismisses Texas wind farm lawsuit

Kenedy County wind farm could open by end of year

By Christopher Sherman
ASSOCIATED PRESSSaturday,
August 09, 2008

McALLEN — A federal judge dismissed a conservation group's lawsuit challenging two wind farm projects under construction in Kenedy County, clearing the way for their completion by year's end.

The Coastal Habitat Alliance had sought...(complete article here).

Sudan Food Production and Food Aid

This is a complex issue that underlines the difficulty with working with the corrupt regimes in some parts of the world.

Darfur Withers as Sudan Sells a Food Bonanza

By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN
Published: August 9, 2008

ED DAMER, Sudan — Even as it receives a billion pounds of free food from international donors, Sudan is growing and selling vast quantities of its own crops to other countries, capitalizing on high global food prices at a time when millions of people in its war-riddled region of Darfur barely have enough to eat.

Here in the bone-dry desert, where desiccated donkey carcasses line the road, huge...(complete article here).

IRRI Looks at Rice Crisis

The IRRI has released their July-Sept. issue. The news release linked below contains links to the various articles in the issue. It is a very thoughtful look at the current world rice situation and some proposed solutions.

Rice Today Vol. 7 No. 3, July–September 2008

Solving the rice crisis: What needs to be done?

The latest from Rice Today, the magazine of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Los Baños, Philippines – In April and May this year, agriculture in general and rice in particular dominated world headlines in a way not seen for decades. As rice prices skyrocketed to 35-year highs, civil unrest broke out in several countries around the globe. The latest issue of Rice Today offers a rice crisis roundup, including...(complete news release here).

Ethanol Battle Not Over

Livestock producers are suffering from high feed prices. Soon, we will likely see a reduction in numbers in our livestock herd which will translate ultimately to higher protein prices for consumers.

This issue is not just domestic in nature. U.S. corn prices have an impact on the world market. Most other countries that use our corn do so for human consumption. In places like Africa, the effect of high U.S. corn prices is a contributor to famine conditions.


Ethanol battle unlikely to fade

Livestock, food industries discuss intensifying push to change law

By BRETT CLANTON
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Aug. 8, 2008, 10:08PM

Efforts to cut or freeze U.S. corn ethanol requirements are unlikely to end with the federal government's denial Thursday of Texas Gov. Rick Perry's plea to waive half of this year's mandate.

Livestock and food industry groups that backed the request already are talking about increased lobbying efforts in Washington to change the law.

Legislation under discussion in the Senate could...(complete article here).

California Desalination Plant OK'd

This is something that I believe will become common in the near future.

Dry California OKs huge desalination plant

San Diego to get fresh water; Sierra Club cites massive fish kills via intake

OCEANSIDE, Calif. - The California Coastal Commission approved a plan to build the Western Hemisphere's largest desalination plant north of...(complete article here).

Funding to Protect Key Pollinators

We must have key pollinator species for food production.

New $27 million project will protect key pollinators for food security and biodiversity

WASHINGTON/Nairobi, 8 August 2008 – A new project worth $26.45 million has been launched by the Global Environment Facility to better protect bees, bats and birds that are essential to the world’s crop production.

The unique five-year project “Conservation & Management of Pollinators for Sustainable Agriculture through an Ecosystem Approach”, which will be implemented through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), will help ensure food security through the protection of the key pollinator species.

The project is...(complete article here).

Ethanol Making Money -- Barely

Demand is closely tied to the infrastructure to handle it.

U.S. ethanol makers profit slightly for a month

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Average margins for making U.S. ethanol avoided sinking into losses for the last four weeks, but were only narrowly profitable as supply bested demand, analysts said.

U.S. distillers were making about 15 to 25 cents per gallon for the week ending Thursday, about the same as last week, despite...(complete article here).

Geothermal Leasing Record

It will take all types of energy generation to become energy independent.

U.S. geothermal lease sale raises record $28.2 mln

By Jasmin Melvin
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Interior Department said Friday it raised a record $28.2 million this week from leasing federal lands to companies for developing geothermal energy resources.

Geothermal energy, harnessed from steam and hot water beneath the earth that powers turbines, generates 17 percent of the electricity that comes from...(complete article here).

Compressor-less Refrigerators of the Future

This one has a lot of interesting implications and possible applications.

Compressor-free refrigerator may loom in the future

Thursday, August 7, 2008

University Park, Pa. -- Refrigerators and other cooling devices may one day lose their compressors and coils of piping and become solid state, according to Penn State researchers who are investigating electrically induced heat effects of some ferroelectric polymers.

"This is the first step in the development of an electric field refrigeration unit," says Qiming Zhang, distinguished professor of electrical engineering. "For the future, we can envision a flat panel refrigerator. No more coils, no more compressors, just...(complete article here).

No Farms No Food

If you look, you will notice a new button in my sidebar that links to "Friends of Farmland," part of the American Farmland Trust. They are making an effort to enlist as many bloggers as possible that are interested in agriculture to promote the importance of our farmland. Check out the link, look around their site and then include their button on your blog (you can get the button by clicking on the one on my sidebar). After all, without farms where would we get our food?

EPA Blows The Call on This One

The corn grower's lobby wins another one.

EPA rejects Texas request to cut ethanol waiver

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday it denied a request by Texas to cut the federal ethanol mandate requiring 9 billion gallons of ethanol and other renewable fuels to be blended into gasoline this year.

The EPA said...(complete article here).

EU Cereal Harvest Projections

We may see U.S. yields down significantly. This is important news.

Annual crop yield forecast: European Commission foresees above average cereals harvest for 2008

Thermal Anomaly in California

This is just interesting....

Southern California Hot Spot Hits 812 Degrees, Baffles Experts

The ground is so hot in one part of Southern California it can melt your shoes right off your feet.
An unexplained "thermal anomaly" caused a patch of land in Ventura County to reach a temperature of over 800 degrees on Friday, baffling experts who have been monitoring the area for weeks.

The anomaly was discovered after...(complete article here).

Nebraska Wind

Windmills in Nebraska need transmission lines to truly be of benefit.

In the Hills of Nebraska, Change Is on the Horizon

By DAN BARRY
Published: August 4, 2008
AINSWORTH, Neb.

Driving south out of the agricultural town of Ainsworth, you can’t miss its newest crop: wind turbines, three dozen of them, with steel stalks 230 feet high and petal-like blades 131 feet long, sprouting improbably from the sand hills of north-central Nebraska, beside ruminating cattle.

Though painted gray, the...(complete article here).

Carbon Sequestration and Wildfire

More evidence that we don't know enough to know what we don't know when it comes to how to combat "global warming."

Wildfires May Improve Forests' Ability to Sequester Carbon

When saving trees means less carbon storage

By Keren Blankfeld Schultz

Wildfires wreaked havoc across southern California last year, resulting in billions of dollars in irreparable damage. Not surprisingly, land managers and agencies this season have mobilized fire crews and equipment to stop the flames before they spread. In the meantime, however, researchers studying the amount of carbon that forests and vegetation harbor have stumbled on a finding that presents an added quandary to fire management: suppressing fires means that less carbon is stored in trees.

The team, led by Michael L. Goulden of the University of California, Irvine, compared the...(complete article here).

New Conservation Mechanism Announced

Finding threatened or endangered species on private land sends shivers up the spine of the land owner. The Endangered Species Act penalizes landowners through restrictions. New ways to incent landowners to report threatened or endangered species and to gain their cooperation in preservation or recovery efforts is good.


Secretary Kempthorne Announces New Conservation Mechanism for Threatened and Endangered Species

Washington, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed an innovative new tool designed to help federal agencies conserve imperiled species on non-federal lands. The recovery crediting system will give federal agencies greater flexibility to offset impacts to threatened and endangered species caused by their actions by undertaking conservation efforts on non-federal lands, with the requirement that there is a net benefit to...(complete article here).

MIT's New Solar Storage Technology

New energy technologies such as solar and wind are constrained by their variability. The ability to store the energy generated at peak production during times of little or no production is critical. MIT is moving forward in the realm of solar energy.

'Major discovery' from MIT primed to unleash solar revolution

Scientists mimic essence of plants' energy storage system

Anne Trafton, News Office
July 31, 2008

In a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power from a marginal, boutique alternative into a mainstream energy source, MIT researchers have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power: storing energy...(complete article here).

Fire Ant's U.S. Origins

Fire ants are a perfect example of how invasive species are inadvertently introduced and spread.

Nine to 20 Individual Fire Ant Queens Started U.S. Fire Ant Population

By Sharon Durham
July 30 , 2008

The current U.S. population of red imported fire ants--which infest millions of acres across the southern states--can be traced back to nine to 20 queens in Mobile, Ala.

That's according to a genetic study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) entomologist D. DeWayne Shoemaker and University of Georgia entomologist Kenneth G. Ross. The results are reported in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, Biological Sciences.

The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), native to South America, is a...(complete news release here).