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Châtenay-Malabry (FR - 92290), 30 June 2014 EFITA newsletter / 654 - European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and the Environment 
To correspond with me (GW), please use this address: guy.waksman(a)laposte.net
A matter of national insecurity: Why U.S. absolutely cannot lose to Belgium (Really funny! The writer sure knows a lot about Belgium, and the sensitivities of our Belgium friends) See: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/a-matter-of-national-insecurity--why-u-s-a-cannot-lose-to-belgium-185014675.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory Ann Coulter: Real Americans hate soccer (Really funny too!) 'No American whose great-grandfather was born here is watching soccer,' columnist writes See: http://news.yahoo.com/ann-coulter-world-cup-column-182845703.html
Projected Growth in Precision Ag Market See: http://agwired.com/2013/09/13/projected-growth-in-precision-ag-market/ Information sharing for sustainability impact reporting: possibilities in the cocoa value chain 'Staff publications' is the digital repository of Wageningen University and Research Centre 'Staff publications' contains references to publications authored by Wageningen University staff from 1976 onward. See: http://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/wurpubs/454655 UAVs at a German farm show The DLG (German Agricultural Society) Field Days 2014, held recently at the DLG Crop Protection Center at Bernberg-Strenzfeld, Germany, showcased many new innovations in crop production for German, and European, producers in attendance. See: http://farmindustrynews.com/precision-farming/uavs-german-farm-show? Department Implementing New Farm Bill Programs, Unveiling New Centralized Online Resource Support Next Generation of Farmers DAVIS, Calif., June 23, 2014 - U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced the implementation of new Farm Bill measures and other policy changes to improve the financial security of new and beginning farmers and ranchers. Harden also unveiled www.usda.gov/newfarmers, a new website that will provide a centralized, one-stop resource where beginning farmers and ranchers can explore the variety of USDA initiatives designed to help them succeed. "New and beginning farmers are the future of American agriculture," said Deputy Secretary Harden. "The average age of an American farmer is 58 and rising, so we must help new farmers get started if America is going to continue feeding the world and maintain a strong agriculture economy. The new policies announced today will help give beginning farmers the financial security they need to succeed. Our new online tool will provide one-stop shopping for beginning farmers to learn more about accessing USDA services that can help their operations thrive." USDA's New Farmers website has in depth information for new farmers and ranchers, including: how to increase access to land and capital; build new market opportunities; participate in conservation opportunities; select and use the right risk management tools; and access USDA education, and technical support programs. These issues have been identified as top priorities by new farmers. The website will also feature instructive case studies about beginning farmers who have successfully utilized USDA resources to start or expand their business operations. Today's policy announcements in support of beginning farmers and ranchers include: Waiving service fees for new and beginning farmers or ranchers to enroll in the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for the 2014 crop year. NAP provides risk management tools to farmers who grow crops for which there is no crop insurance product. Under this waiver, announced via an official notice (PDF, 171KB) to Farm Service Agency offices, farmers and ranchers whom already enrolled in NAP for the 2014 crop year are eligible for a service fee refund. Eliminating payment reductions under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for new and beginning farmers which will allow routine, prescribed, and emergency grazing outside the primary nesting season on enrolled land consistent with approved conservation plans. Previously, farmers and ranchers grazing on CRP land were subject to a reduction in CRP payments of up to 25 percent. Waiving these reductions for new and beginning farmers will provide extra financial support during times of emergency like drought and other natural disasters. Increasing payment rates to beginning farmers and ranchers under Emergency Assistance forLivestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) (PDF, 288KB). Under this provision, beginning and farmers can claim up 90 percent of losses for lost livestock, such as bees, under ELAP. This is a fifty percent increase over previously available payment amounts to new and beginning farmers. In the near future, USDA will also announce additional crop insurance program changes for beginning farmers and ranchers – including discounted premiums, waiver of administrative fees, and other benefits. These policy announcements are made possible through the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill. The Deputy Secretary made these announcements at the inaugural meeting of the reconvenedBeginning Farmer and Rancher Advisory Committee held at the University of California Davis, California. This Advisory Committee, composed of 20 members, including Extension agents, lenders, farmers, ranchers and academics will meet through 2015 to learn, discuss, and formulate recommendations to USDA on how to support new and beginning farmers. A fact sheet outlining significant USDA efforts to support beginning farmers and ranchers, and other Department-wide accomplishments, are available on www.usda.gov/results. See: http://www.usda.gov/ wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2014/06/0131.xml&contentidonly=true
Climate Change, Water and Agriculture - Towards Resilient Systems This report reviews the main linkages between climate change, water and agriculture as a means to identifying and discussing adaptation strategies for better use and conservation of water resources. See: http://www.keepeek.com/Digital-Asset-Management/oecd/agriculture-and-food/climate-change-water-and-agriculture_9789264209138-en The Reason Artificial Intelligence Doesn't Matter See: https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140620190819-109319-the-reason-artificial-ingelligence-doesn-t-matter An elderly gentleman... …had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%. The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, 'Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again.' The gentleman replied, 'Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will three times!' The distribution of this efita newsletter is sponsored by vitisphere.com Please, contribute to the content of your efita newsletter, and advertise your events, new publications, new products and new project in this newsletter. Without your support, it will not survive! Contact: Guy WAKSMAN E-mail: guy.waksman(a)laposte.net To read this newsletter on our web site See: http://www.informatique-agricole.org/gazette/efita/efita_140623_653.htm
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