FOOD IS CHEAP, AT LEAST COMPARED WITH FOUR YEARS AGO . . . TIME IS RIGHT FOR GLOBAL FOCUS ON FOREST LAND RIGHTS . . . LOWER HOG NUMBERS KEEP PRICES HIGH, BUT HEAVIER HOG WEIGHTS LIMIT PRODUCTION LOSSES . . . SANDLER WATCHING ONTARIO BEE CASE “EXTREMELY CLOSELY”  . . . PORK FARMERS UPBEAT CRISIS OVER 
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OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

FOOD IS CHEAP, AT LEAST COMPARED WITH FOUR YEARS AGO
Source: NPR
Around the globe, it’s become easier for people to buy food. The U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization is reporting that its global food price index has now fallen to the lowest level in four years. That’s because of good weather and big harvests in places like North America, Europe, and China. Almost all of the major food commodities have become less expensive: grains, vegetable oils, sugar, and dairy products. Dairy prices, in fact, are down by almost 20 percent, compared with their peak a year ago. (r ead more)

TIME IS RIGHT FOR GLOBAL FOCUS ON FOREST LAND RIGHTS
Source: BBC
Recognizing the land rights of local people could provide cost-effective protection for many of the world’s tropical forests, a report says. But existing initiatives to tackle deforestation were poorly suited to deal with the issue, it added. (read more)

LOWER HOG NUMBERS KEEP PRICES HIGH, BUT HEAVIER HOG WEIGHTS LIMIT PRODUCTION LOSSES
Source: Farms.com
USDA slightly decreased its forecast for second-half 2014 pork production, by 5 million pounds, from last month’s forecast – a change that derives largely from lower than expected production in September, due to PEDv-reduced supplies of slaughter hogs. (read more)

SANDLER WATCHING ONTARIO BEE CASE “EXTREMELY CLOSELY”
Source: Island Farmer
One of the Island’s biggest beekeepers will be keeping a close eye on a case that will soon be working its way through the Superior Court of Ontario. Sun Parlour Honey Limited and Monro Honey are suing Bayer Cropscience Inc. and Syngenta Canada Inc., along with their parent companies over the distribution of a class of pesticides known as Neonicotinoid. The action singles out three insecticides in particular – Imidacloprid, Clothianidin, and Thiomethoxam. The action is seeking over $400 million in damages for bee deaths linked to Neonicotinoids. (read more)

PORK FARMERS UPBEAT CRISIS OVER
Source: Woodstock Sentinel Review
Ontario pork farmers have reason for optimism the worst of a dreaded disease is over. It has been nearly two months since the last case of the piglet-killing porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus was confirmed on an Ontario farm. “We certainly have concerns going into the fall but not having any new cases at this time of year is definitely a good sign,” Ontario’s chief veterinarian, Greg Douglas, said this week. (read more)