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News from around the Farm World - July 19, 2017
 
Iowa farmers receive major boost after soybean deal
 
DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa farmers received a major boost July 13 after a Chinese delegation in Des Moines signed commitments to purchase nearly all of Iowa’s soybeans.

KCCI-TV reported the $4.5 billion deal to buy 460 million bushels of soybeans came a week before Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to lead an agricultural trade mission to China.

“As an Iowa farmer, this is huge,” said April Hemmes, a farmer who owns a 1,000-acre farm near Hampton in rural Franklin County. “They basically bought the entire production that we have in the state of Iowa.”

“It was the request of the Chinese to come to Des Moines,” said Jim Sutter, U.S. Soybean Export Council CEO. “They have fond memories of (President Xi Jinping’s) visit and his time here, and it’s become legendary in China.”

The deal includes purchasing nearly all of Iowa’s soybean production of 12.53 million metric tons, which is “a big deal that they would, in one day, sign 10 percent of total U.S. crop purchases.” The Chinese delegation from seven companies also signed contracts for sorghum, pork and beef.

Man dies after part of combine falls on him in Michigan

BRADY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A 67-year-old man has died after being pinned beneath part of a harvesting combine in mid-Michigan.

MLive.com reported Saturday that the man was part of a group buying the farm equipment from a private seller Friday morning in Brady Township, southwest of Saginaw.

The victim went beneath the combine to help dismantle it for easier transport when the machine’s detachable head fell on him. A tractor was needed to lift the combine head so the man could be pulled free.

He was airlifted to a hospital, but later died. His name has not been released.

Ohio urges fairgoers practice good hygiene to avoid illness

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Two state agencies are urging people attending Ohio county fairs this summer to practice good hygiene when visiting livestock exhibits.

The Ohio departments of Agriculture and Health issued its advisory after reports that nearly 300 hogs at the Clinton County Fair in southwestern Ohio would have to be destroyed. At least two hogs tested positive for swine flu, which can be transmitted to humans by direct contact with pigs.

The agencies say visitors should wash their hands after petting or touching any animal and shouldn’t eat, drink or put anything in their mouths while visiting livestock exhibits. Parents and caregivers should carry young children and leave strollers outside exhibits. The agencies also advise that older people, pregnant women, small children and people with weakened immune systems avoid livestock exhibits.

10 head of cattle die in crash along Interstate 69 in Indiana

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — About 10 head of cattle died after a semi-trailer carrying them overturned along Interstate 69 in eastern Indiana.

Police said the truck driven by Chester Smith of Stanton, Ky., crashed on an exit ramp about 4:20 a.m. July 11. Smith told police a car forced him off the ramp about 50 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

The Star Press reported the truck was hauling 38 head of cattle from Springfield, Ky., to Plainview, Mich. The animals were trapped in the trailer, some injured so badly they had to be put down with gunshots.

By 10:30 a.m., about six hours after the crash, about 10, some of them dead, had been removed. Authorities called for a dump truck to remove about 10 dead animals. Police said Smith and a passenger were unhurt.

Bone fragment scare forces Sabrett hot dog recall

NEW YORK, N.Y. (AP) — The maker of Sabrett hot dogs is recalling more than 7 million pounds of hot dogs because they may contain bone fragments.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall of products made by New York City-based Marathon Enterprises, Inc. on Saturday. The recall affects beef and pork hot dogs and sausages produced on various dates between March 17-July 4.

The agency said the products subject to recall are stamped “EST. 8854” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products here shipped nationwide.

The agency says the recalled products have been blamed for a minor oral injury. Consumers who purchased the hot dogs are urged to throw them away or return them to the store where they bought them.
 
Storms damaged farmsteads, knocked out power in Iowa
 
CONROY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities said a tornado damaged farmsteads and crop fields and high winds from other storms tore at homes and knocked out power in eastern Iowa.

Iowa County authorities said the tornado touched down about a mile north of Williamsburg a little before 6 p.m. July 11 and churned northeast, skirting Conroy before lifting. No injuries were reported at the three damaged farmsteads.

Thunderstorms packing winds up to 75 mph downed trees and power lines in Dubuque County overnight, leaving thousands without electricity. More than 9 inches of rain was reported in southern Clayton County, where authorities evacuated up to 20 homes for flooding. 
7/19/2017