Ohio’s Goodyear closing 820 jobs in France AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plans to end consumer tire production at a plant in Amiens, France, as part of its strategy to reduce high-cost manufacturing.
The decision announced May 26 means Goodyear is cutting 820 of 1,200 jobs at the plant by the third quarter of 2010. The company currently employs approximately 3,500 people in France.
Goodyear says it will continue to produce farm tires at the plant, while exploring the sale of some of its farm tire production plants globally. Goodyear, the largest U.S. tire maker, is based in Akron.
Greece extends ban onU.S. biotech corn seeds ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece extended its ban on a genetically modified strain of corn seed developed by U.S. biotech giant Monsanto Co. for another two years, the Agriculture Ministry said last week.
The ban on importing and cultivating MON810 has also been expanded to include 100 types of the seed – up from 70 last year, the ministry said in a statement. The strain is genetically modified to produce a toxin that repels insects, thus reducing the need for farmers to use insecticides. The European Union authorized their use five years ago.
But Greece, which has banned MON801 since April 2005, argues the seeds could harm human health while the crops contain pollen that could threaten the country’s beekeeping industry. Greek produces about 16 percent of Europe’s honey.
France, Germany, Austria and Hungary have also banned MON810.
Kansas company eyes wind farm in NW Indiana
LACROSSE, Ind. (AP) — A Kansas company has leases for about half the land it needs for a 200-turbine wind farm in northwest Indiana.
TradeWind Energy has leased 10,000 acres for its LaCrosse Farms project in southwestern La Porte County. The company has been measuring wind conditions from two towers in LaCrosse for eight months. It needs three years of data.
Project manager Duane Enger says the turbines are likely to go up in the next three to six years at a cost of $300 million-$450 million. The company pays farmers $9,000-$10,000 annually per turbine, plus a share of the revenue.
TradeWind hopes to generate enough electricity to power 60,000 homes. LaCrosse is about 30 miles southeast of Gary.
AFT kicks off ‘Favorite Farmers’ Markets’ contest
WASHINGTON, D.C. — American Farmland Trust (AFT) is pleased to announce its first vote for “America’s Favorite Farmers’ Markets” contest, a nationwide challenge to see which of America’s 4,685 farmers’ markets can rally the most support from its customers.
The goal is to promote the connection between fresh local food and the local farms and farmland that supply it. Many barriers stand in the way of scaling up local farm production to meet the burgeoning demand for local food. The AFT is working to support policies and programs to protect farmland, reduce barriers between farmers and consumers and encourage communities to plan for agriculture and regional food systems.
Farmers’ market managers can register to join the contest by visiting www.farmland.org/marketmanager
Market shoppers will vote to support their favorite farmers’ market at www.farmland.org/vote starting in June. Results will be announced during Farmers’ Market Week, Aug. 2-8. One each of large, medium and small farmers’ markets will win the title for 2009. The reward will be a shipment of No Farms No Food tote bags for the winning market managers to distribute to the shoppers who made it happen. Aubreys Natural Meats sell to Brothers Beef ELWOOD, Ind. — Aubrey’s Natural Meats, LLC has sold to Brothers Beef of Columbus, Ind. Brothers Beef is a natural grass-fed beef company operated by brothers Brett and Trevor Glick.
According to Aubrey’s founders Sarah (who also writes for Farm World) and Cary Aubrey, the Glicks are third-generation farmers who have a deep commitment to land stewardship and animal production. Brothers Beef is currently expanding to the Indianapolis market and looks forward to getting to know those who value farm fresh beef, customer service and the opportunity to personally know one’s farmer.
The Aubreys will continue to breed and market purebred Hereford and Simmental cattle, but are not doing any quarters, halves or whole, so all inquiries for beef should be directed to the Glicks. To learn more, visit www.brothersbeef.com or e-mail brothersbeef@yahoo.com
The brothers may also be reached by phone: Brett at 812-371-5532 or Trevor at 812-343-8119.
Tenn. Center for Profitable Agriculture is 10 years old NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The State House Agriculture Committee has formally recognized the University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture (CPA) for a decade of outstanding service to the citizens of Tennessee. Committee Chairman Stratton Bone Jr. (D-Lebanon) presented a framed copy of the proclamation to CPA Director Rob Holland during a May 12 session of the committee.
The CPA was formed by the UT Institute of Agriculture to help farm families throughout Tennessee improve their income through identifying new ways to add value to their food and fiber products through processing, improved packaging, direct marketing to the public and the like. The Center was developed in cooperation with UT Extension, the Tennessee Farm Bureau and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Since its establishment the CPA has generated more than $1.25 million in external grants that have helped provide value-added educational opportunities to more than 3,000 Tennesseans. Holland said the total value of agricultural products sold directly to consumers from farmers increased by 83.5 percent – from approximately $8.4 million in 1997, to $15.4 million in 2007.
CME extends Chairman
Duffy’s term through 2013 CHICAGO, Ill. — CME Group Inc. announced that Executive Chair Terrence A. Duffy’s term has been extended until the annual meeting of shareholders in 2013. The company’s bylaws have been amended to reflect this change.
Duffy, 50, has served as executive chairman since July 2007. He has been a CME member since 1981 and a board member since 1995. He is chair of the CME Group Foundation and NYMEX Foundation, as well.
BBC to cover Alltech equine event in Kentucky LEXINGTON, Ky. — Alltech, a global leader in animal health and nutrition, is proud to announce that the BBC, one of the largest broadcasting corporations in the world, will provide coverage of the Alltech FEI European Championships 2009.
Thirty-two nations and 150 riders are expected to take part in the event held in Windsor, United Kingdom, from Aug. 25-30. It is the first time the European Jumping Championships and the European Dressage Championships will be held at the same venue.
The BBC’s programming will include coverage of the individual finals of the dressage and jumping, as well as the team jumping competition. For ticketing and further information on the confirmed program of events, visit www.alltechwindsoreuropeans.com
Alltech is also the proud sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 201 to be held in Lexington from Sept. 25-Oct. 10, 2010. |
