text:
Executive Order — Accelerating Investment in Industrial Energy Efficiency
The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release August 30, 2012 EXECUTIVE ORDER ACCELERATING INVESTMENT IN INDUSTRIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY By the…
ACCELERATING INVESTMENT IN INDUSTRIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to promote American manufacturing by helping to facilitate investments in energy efficiency at industrial facilities, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Policy. The industrial sector accounts for over 30 percent of all energy consumed in the United States, and, for many manufacturers, energy costs affect overall competitiveness. While our manufacturing facilities have made progress in becoming more energy efficient over the past several decades, there is an opportunity to accelerate and expand these efforts with investments to reduce energy use through more efficient manufacturing processes and facilities and the expanded use of combined heat and power (CHP). Instead of burning fuel in an on site boiler to produce thermal energy and also purchasing electricity from the grid, a manufacturing facility can use a CHP system to provide both types of energy in one energy efficient step. Accelerating these investments in our Nation's factories can improve the competitiveness of United States manufacturing, lower energy costs, free up future capital for businesses to invest, reduce air pollution, and create jobs.
Despite these benefits, independent studies have pointed to under-investment in industrial energy efficiency and CHP as a result of numerous barriers. The Federal Government has limited but important authorities to overcome these barriers, and our efforts to support investment in industrial energy efficiency and CHP should involve coordinated engagement with a broad set of stakeholders, including States, manufacturers, utilities, and others. By working with all stakeholders to address these barriers, we have an opportunity to save industrial users tens of billions of dollars in energy costs over the next decade.
There is no one size fits all solution for our manufacturers, so it is imperative that we support these investments through a variety of approaches, including encouraging private sector investment by setting goals and highlighting the benefits of investment, improving coordination at the Federal level, partnering with and supporting States, and identifying investment models beneficial to the multiple stakeholders involved.
To formalize and support the close interagency coordination that is required to accelerate greater investment in industrial energy efficiency and CHP, this order directs certain executive departments and agencies to convene national and regional stakeholders to identify, develop, and encourage the adoption of investment models and State best practice policies for industrial energy efficiency and CHP; provide technical assistance to States and manufacturers to encourage investment in industrial energy efficiency and CHP; provide public information on the benefits of investment in industrial energy efficiency and CHP; and use existing Federal authorities, programs, and policies to support investment in industrial energy efficiency and CHP.
Sec. 2. Encouraging Investment in Industrial Efficiency. The Departments of Energy, Commerce, and Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency, in coordination with the National Economic Council, the Domestic Policy Council, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy, shall coordinate policies to encourage investment in industrial efficiency in order to reduce costs for industrial users, improve U.S. competitiveness, create jobs, and reduce harmful air pollution. In doing so, they shall engage States, industrial companies, utility companies, and other stakeholders to accelerate this investment. Specifically, these agencies shall, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law:
(a) coordinate and strongly encourage efforts to achieve a national goal of deploying 40 gigawatts of new, cost effective industrial CHP in the United States by the end of 2020;
(b) convene stakeholders, through a series of public workshops, to develop and encourage the use of best practice State policies and investment models that address the multiple barriers to investment in industrial energy efficiency and CHP;
(c) utilize their respective relevant authorities and resources to encourage investment in industrial energy efficiency and CHP, such as by:
(i) providing assistance to States on accounting for the potential emission reduction benefits of CHP and other energy efficiency policies when developing State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to achieve national ambient air quality standards;
(ii) providing incentives for the deployment of CHP and other types of clean energy, such as set asides under emissions allowance trading program state implementation plans, grants, and loans;
(iii) employing output based approaches as compliance options in power and industrial sector regulations, as appropriate, to recognize the emissions benefits of highly efficient energy generation technologies like CHP; and
(iv) seeking to expand participation in and create additional tools to support the Better Buildings, Better Plants program at the Department of Energy, which is working with companies to help them achieve a goal of reducing energy intensity by 25 percent over 10 years, as well as utilizing existing partnership programs to support energy efficiency and CHP;
(d) support and encourage efforts to accelerate investment in industrial energy efficiency and CHP by:
(i) providing general guidance, technical analysis and information, and financial analysis on the value of investment in industrial energy efficiency and CHP to States, utilities, and owners and operators of industrial facilities;
(ii) improving the usefulness of Federal data collection and analysis; and
(iii) assisting States in developing and implementing State specific best practice policies that can accelerate investment in industrial energy efficiency and CHP.
In implementing this section, these agencies should consult with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as appropriate.
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or


Old and Busted: Mueller Is Taking Trump Down! - New Hotness: But the SDNY!
CNN's Ryan Lizza ladies and gentlemen.
The Lawfareblog also got in on the action. This is only the beginning you see!
Keep in mind that Wittes and his crappy website have been wrong almost every step of the way about what Mueller's investigation would lead to. They've fluffed collusion for years, specifically the Trump Tower meeting and insisted we'd see major actions stemming for it.
Other #resistance warriors left their hot takes.
I'm also with Chuck Rosenberg tonight: no one on Trump's side should be celebrating tonight.
Check out this hilarious evolution by Matthew Dowd over the past two years and compare it to the tweet he sent today.
He's just a nobody planting seeds! So much for that Wyatt Earp comparison.


text:
Are There Real Purple Diamonds?
Home » Diamonds » Are There Real Purple Diamonds?
For centuries, the color purple has been acknowledged as the color of royalty. Many nobles proudly wore purple clothing and accessories and displayed purple decor in their royal quarters. Some nobles went as far as to have crafted purple jewels for them.
This begs the question: Are there real purple diamonds?
The answer is yes; purple diamonds can be found in nature even though they're extremely rare.
What gives them the color purple? How much do they cost? Answers to these – and many more – questions are covered in this article. So, be sure to read it until the end – and learn more about these peculiar colored diamonds.
Nature's Wonder: Purple Diamonds
It's hard to believe such colored diamonds do occur in nature, isn't it? But it's true.
While they are almost impossible to find – so, most people don't even know they exist – natural purple diamonds are indeed real. Not only that, they come in a variety of different shades!
Are Purple Diamonds Rare?
To properly address this question, we need you first to understand the rarity of natural fancy colored diamonds.
In the niche of natural fancy colored stones, there are several baseline colors. Colors such as blue, yellow, green, pink, orange, gray, and brown are only a few existing diamond colors.
It gets even more complicated due to the fact that there are unique color combinations created out of two or more colors combined. However, not all color combinations exist in nature.
For instance, there are no blue-purple diamonds, but several other combinations exist, such as pink-purple diamonds.
Although it may seem that because of the quality of colors and color combinations, fancy color diamonds are in abundance, they're, in reality, extremely rare. It's said that only 1 out of 10,000 carats of natural mined diamonds is of gem quality fancy diamond.
And when it comes to fancy colored gems, purple diamonds are considered among the rarest of them all – inferior only to red diamonds.
On top of that, pure purple diamonds are exceptionally rare. Therefore, they're virtually priceless items to own. Typically, the purple diamonds that you can find feature secondary colors – such as pink, brown, and gray.
Why Are Purple Diamonds Purple?
In the same way that other natural gems are colored, purple diamonds result from the presence of impurities while the precious stone is formed.
Scientists believe that large amounts of boron and hydrogen were present within the diamond while forming – and that results in a distinct purple shade.
The longer the boron and hydrogen are present in the formation process, the deeper the color.
There is more than one theory when it comes to how purple diamonds get their color. The most popular proposal is that while these stones are being pushed by magma to the surface from the Earth's mantle, a plastic deformation creates in their crystal structure.
This deformation is also to blame for the color of red diamonds.
So, as you can see, some gemologists believe that the high pressure endured during the gem's journey to the Earth's mantle impacts the color, too. In that sense, the more pressure exerted the richer the gem's color.
Where Do Purple Diamonds Come From?
Most of the purple diamonds are found in the Argyle Mine, Western Australia. Luckily, in recent years, some purple diamonds have been unearthed in other regions such as Siberia.
Considering that the Argyle mine is soon to be closed, the findings in Siberia were excellent news. However, natural purple gems only account for a tiny fraction of the mined gemstones in Siberia's Mir Kimberlite field.
The Israeli Diamond Institute reported that the discovery of 649 diamonds in Quebec's James Bay region revealed nine purple diamonds in 2008. That suggests that these gems may exist in more regions than previously thought.
Even better news, right?
Learn More: Diamond History: How They Form And How They're Found
How Much Do Purple Diamonds Cost?
No price chart or formula can tell you how much does a purple diamond costs. Still, by using the general guide on top of some quick Internet research, you could get a rough idea and estimation of the stone you're looking to buy.
Colors such as gray and brown will lower the quality of the gemstone – and with it, the price will go down and be compared to a secondary tone of pink.
For purple diamonds, the color intensity levels can range from fancy deep, fancy vivid, fancy intense, fancy dark, fancy, fancy light, and light.
Most of these stones are on the lighter end of the mentioned spectrum, making those that show a strong purple hue more rare – and thus, more valuable and more sought after.
In today's market, prices of light-colored purple diamonds range between $10,000 and $25,000 per carat for stones smaller than half a carat and with medium clarity grade, like SI.
If you up the intensity level, the prices swiftly go to $50,000 per carat – and even more.
But Why Are Purple Diamonds So Expensive?
It makes sense that these gorgeous gems would reach such high prices. They are the second rarest fancy colored diamonds, right after red diamonds. Meanwhile, the desire for these gems has gradually been rising.
As with the economics of any product – increasing demand and diminishing supply lead to the prices of purple diamonds soaring up.
However, there are purple diamonds that aren't nearly as expensive – although they aren't "real" purple diamonds.
As interest in purple diamonds keeps rising, and there are so few available on today's market, some companies have produced enhanced purple diamonds through various processes, such as irradiation.
Related Read: What Are Enhanced Diamonds? Should You Consider Buying One?
These sophisticated techniques involve artificially tinting the stone within its structure. While they may boast a purple color, their beauty and value can't come near to a genuine, natural purple diamond.
That is why it's essential to purchase a purple diamond with a certificate issued by a reputable organization, such as the GIA, which ensures the true origin of the color.
Expert gemologists can distinguish a genuine purple diamond from an artificially treated one by inspecting the distribution of the color or by utilizing specialized equipment.
When it comes to visibility, natural purple diamonds will have color that's concentrated near the deformation lamellae. On the other hand, treated diamonds exhibit saturated color throughout.
Unlike colorless gems that are often cut into round brilliant cuts, purple diamonds are generally found in fancy shapes, like a cushion, oval, radiant, pear, and emerald cuts.
Diamond cutters will do anything to enhance the purple color of these stones. And this includes making the proportions deeper or the girdle thicker. That's because the purple color is so essential to the value of the diamond it overrides all other factors.
Getting To Know Them: Purple Diamond Names
Due to all color combinations and variations, it's pretty common to give fancy colored diamonds descriptive color names. For example, there are Champagne and Chocolate Diamonds in the brown diamonds family.
Purple diamonds had also earned their share of names to depict the shades of purple. Here are some of the more famous names used for purple diamonds:
Is There A Difference Between Violet And Purple Diamonds?
If you came across the so-called violet diamonds while browsing, you should know that violet diamonds are actually more than just another name for purple diamonds.
While both violet and purple diamonds are inarguably stunning to the viewer's eye, they differ from a gemological perspective.
So, it's worth mentioning the difference between these two.
What distinguishes true purple diamonds from their violet counterparts is that the crystal lattice deformations create the grain-like purple lines that are visible within the stone. And conversely, violet diamonds owe their color to the trace amounts of hydrogen within them.
Famous Examples Of Purple Diamonds
Even though there aren't many well-known purple diamonds, several famous stones made their mark. Adding to the intrigue of these gemstones is the fact that there aren't many details about them.
Arguably the most notable purple diamond is the Royal Purple Heart Diamond. It's the biggest fancy vivid diamond ever to exist – well, as far as we know, anyway. The sources reported that this 7.34-carat heart-shaped gem is believed to be from Russia.
The Julius Klein Diamond Corporate cut this stone into a perfect heart – a shape that enhances the diamond's brilliance and exceptional clarity. No one knows who is currently in possession of the Royal Purple Heart, though.
The Supreme Purple Star is another famous gemstone that's probably even more mysterious. Nobody knows the exact clarity and color grade of this gemstone.
What's certain is that despite what the name of the stone implies, it features a round brilliant cut, with an estimated weight between 2 to 5 carats. The origins of this diamond are still unknown – although the Israeli Diamond Institute noted that many diamond experts believe it was mined in the last 30 years somewhere in the Amazon basin.
Here's what the institute says makes this gem so breathtaking: One can allegedly see various different shades of purple when viewing it from different angles.
Best Purple Diamond Engagement Ring Styles
The style of the engagement ring setting can make your purple diamond appear more or less purple. Even if your stone is light purple, you can make the purple color look more saturated by doing two things:
Firstly, surround the stone with a rose gold bezel or rose gold prongs. The basket that holds the diamond securely in place should be rose gold as well, if possible. Then underline the ring with bright white diamonds in platinum or white gold.
The reflection from the rose gold incorporated with the contrast of the white diamonds in white gold or platinum will make a paler purple stone appear more intense.
The contrast effect means that halo-style engagement rings are a perfect choice for your purple diamond.
Another way to add contrast is to take a three-stone setting with a purple diamond in the center. It will make the color of your purple diamond look richer.
What's The Meaning Behind Purple Diamond Rings?
There are many discussions about the meanings behind gems and their color when it comes to birthstones. However, it's less common to address it when talking about actual diamonds.
Purple diamonds are usually thought of as a perfect stone for sociologists, artists, psychologists, philosophers, and royalty.
That's due to the fact that the purple color of the gemstone has been connected with wisdom, nobility, and power for several centuries now.
It's no surprise then that purple diamond engagement rings became one of the more popular choices among upper echelons of society over the ages.
Purple Diamond Alternatives
Sapphires are rare and gorgeous gems that are much more affordable than most fancy colored diamonds. They also come in more variants of purple color – from pastel shades that imitate the looks of a fancy purple diamond to more intense hues that would be worth a fortune if you could match them in a diamond.
Another alternative for purple diamonds is amethyst. This purple quartz gem is pretty affordable and available in fine colors that can make a stunning amethyst ring.
If you ever asked yourself, are there real purple diamonds?
We're more than happy to inform you that genuine purple diamonds do exist in nature. The thing about purple diamonds is that they're extremely rare – only red diamonds are rarer than purple ones. This rarity means they are more sought after, which further means they are highly valuable and extremely expensive.
The purple color of these stones comes from inclusions of hydrogen and boron within the stone. Then again, some scientists believe that the color of these gems is a result of the high pressure these stones endure while they travel from the Earth's mantle to the surface.
Either way, we can agree that purple diamonds look absolutely wonderful when set in the right diamond setting. So, be sure to talk to your jeweler about how you could enhance their natural beauty.
Is Opal Worth More Than Diamond?
What Makes Diamonds Lose Their Sparkle?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Vaccine and marketing groups take up challenge of promoting shots to pandemic's hardest-hit
Sheila Dang | Posted: Dec. 16, 2020, 12:04 p.m. | Updated: Dec. 16, 2020, 2:22 p.m. | 4 Min Read
By Sheila Dang
(Reuters) - In November, the National Black Church Initiative organized a 15-church community campaign in Baltimore to encourage Black Americans to get their flu shots. Eleven people in a city of 600,000 showed up.
"We saw it as a dress rehearsal for the resistance we're going to get when the (coronavirus) vaccine is ready," said Rev. Anthony Evans, president of the National Black Church Initiative.
Trucks are rolling across the United States beginning the enormous task of distributing the coronavirus vaccine from Pfizer Inc and partner BioNTech SE, with more expected from Moderna Inc, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca Plc upon approval.
Convincing large numbers of skeptics to accept protection from the deadly disease adds to the challenge of ending a pandemic that has claimed more than 300,000 U.S. lives.
Federal health agencies, nonprofits, and marketers are crafting public service campaigns for television, websites and social media to promote vaccination to all Americans, with emphasis on addressing longstanding, historically justifiable, distrust among racial minorities hardest hit by the virus.
The Ad Council, a nonprofit group known for successful national programs including one that promoted the polio vaccine in the 1950s, is preparing a coronavirus vaccine campaign to begin in January.
"Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID from the beginning," Lisa Sherman, chief executive of the Ad Council, said in an interview. "A public education campaign is important to focus on those groups, empowering them with the facts and hopefully get them feeling better to take the vaccine."
The group aims to raise an initial $50 million from the private sector. Social media platforms Facebook, Snap and Reddit plan to donate advertising space, spokespeople from the companies said.
Finding the right messengers is a top priority for groups creating public service announcements (PSAs) targeting minority communities.
In August, the Council signed up Academy, Emmy and Tony award-winning actor Viola Davis and Simone Biles, America's most decorated gymnast, for ads encouraging wearing of face masks in its "You Will See Me" campaign.
The nonprofit said it has yet to finalize details of the new vaccine education campaign such as the specific content of its PSAs or who within the sports, music and social media worlds will be featured.
Sherman said the organization is coordinating plans with President-elect Joe Biden's transition team, and will work with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Outgoing President Donald Trump's administration launched a separate $250 million public education campaign this month. HHS scrapped part of the program to recruit celebrities to "inspire hope" after Democrats threatened to block Trump's use of federal funds they saw as a scheme to help his re-election.
The HHS "Building Vaccine Confidence Campaign" will target the "movable middle," of Americans hesitant to get vaccinated, said HHS spokesman Mark Weber.
Many Americans are concerned about safety due to the record speed at which these vaccines were developed, in contrast to those steadfastly opposed to vaccines in general.
The Trump administration program will also recognize "the skepticism of Black, Latino and Indigenous communities," Weber said, adding that multicultural marketing firms have been tapped to guide the effort.
Biden's team is working on how best to communicate the need for vaccine trust and widespread acceptance necessary to build herd immunity that can halt virus transmission.
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton said they were willing to be filmed getting COVID-19 vaccines to help convince others to do so.
HISTORICAL DISTRUST
Distrust runs high in the Black community due to decades of unequal healthcare access and treatment, under-representation in clinical trials and a history of medical horror stories, such as the infamous "Tuskegee Study," that left African-American men with syphilis untreated without their knowledge to observe the course of the disease.
Only 14% of Black Americans and 34% of Latino Americans say they trust a vaccine would be safe, according to a recent survey conducted by research group COVID Collaborative, which is working with the Ad Council.
A Reuters poll released last week found 49% of Black Americans said they would be interested in taking the COVID-19 vaccine, compared to 63% of white Americans. A vaccination rate of about 75% is needed to achieve so-called herd immunity, health experts have said.
Preparing people for what to expect, such as side effects, will be key, said Kate Cronin, chief executive of ad agency Ogilvy Health, a unit WPP Plc, which counts Pfizer as a longtime client.
As part of the HHS program, organizers will convene focus groups with people of diverse backgrounds to help shape ads to lessen vaccine hesitancy that would be placed in media outlets favored by certain groups, such as Native American radio stations, Weber said.
People of color who participated in vaccine trials could also be courted to appear in commercials to reassure communities that they are safe, said Sommer Bazuro, chief medical officer at communications and marketing firm FCB Health Network, which counts Pfizer and AstraZeneca among its clients.
People like former New York Giants football player and ESPN Deportes commentator Raul Allegre could play an important role. Allegre, 61, and his wife are volunteers in Moderna Inc's ongoing COVID-19 vaccine trial.
He has appeared in a social media campaign in English and Spanish created by the COVID-19 Prevention Network.
"It was about encouraging people to join, because Hispanics and African Americans are at higher risk," Allegre said. "The message was, 'let's get this (pandemic) over with.'"


text:
Other Books: Y
Yandell, Keith E. Basic Issues in the Philosophy of Religion. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1971.
Yearley, Lee H. Mencius and Aquinas: Theories of Virtue and Conceptions of Courage. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1990.
Yeats, William Butler. The Collected Poems of W. B. Yeats. New York: Macmillan, 1958.
Yelaja, Shankar A., editor. Authority and Social Work: Concept and Use. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1971.
Young, Louise B. The Mystery of Matter. New York: Oxford University Press, 1965.
Young-Bruehl, Elisabeth. Hannah Arendt: for Love of the World. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1982.
Yourgrau, Wolfgang and Stanley Mandelstam. Variational Principles in Dynamics and Quantum Theory. London: Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, 1955.
Other Books: Z


Background: Fluid flow control techniques gained many advantages when, under the newly coined name fluidics, were found ways of operating without moving or deformed mechanical components. In particular, it became possible to handle fluid motion at very small scales and/or high frequencies. The control signals upon which this motion depends, are often produced by microelectronic devices, also operating without moving components. The transducers from electric to fluidic signals and actions, especially if the latter operate with air, however, cannot so far avoid two-stage indirect conversion, with intermediate mechanical motions of components which are difficult to manufacture, have limited life, and are slow due to mechanical parts inertia.
Objective: Development of transducer for direct electric control of flow of air, circumventing the fact that air is electrically neutral and therefore not influenced by voltage or electric current and therefore not influenced by applied voltage or electric current.
Methods: The solution is achieved by using ionic wind generated by non-thermal plasma discharge inside cavities the configuration of which correspond to a fluidic bistable diverter amplifier. By using the Coanda effect, the jet of air remains alternatively attached to one of the two attachment walls so that the ionic wind only briefly switches the jet between them.
Results: Laboratory models of an electric-to-fluidic transducer were demonstrated to operate reliably with the input electric switching signal voltage increased in a transformer (inexpensive because mass produced for other purposes). The absence of inertia of mechanical components made it possible to operate at quite high switching frequency (above 100 Hz).
Conclusion: Patent covering various alternative transducer configurations based on the ionic wind idea was recently grated to the present authors - unfortunately valid only within the boundaries of the Czech Republic.
Keywords: Fluidics, plasma, ionic wind, dielectric barrier, fluidic amplifier, Coanda effect.
Keywords:Fluidics, plasma, ionic wind, dielectric barrier, fluidic amplifier, Coanda effect.
Abstract:Background: Fluid flow control techniques gained many advantages when, under the newly coined name fluidics, were found ways of operating without moving or deformed mechanical components. In particular, it became possible to handle fluid motion at very small scales and/or high frequencies. The control signals upon which this motion depends, are often produced by microelectronic devices, also operating without moving components. The transducers from electric to fluidic signals and actions, especially if the latter operate with air, however, cannot so far avoid two-stage indirect conversion, with intermediate mechanical motions of components which are difficult to manufacture, have limited life, and are slow due to mechanical parts inertia.


text:
Matrix Style Artificial Wombs Are Here, Choosing Your Child's Traits Like Food On A Menu
Artificial wombs, also known as "ectogenetic" systems, are devices that are designed to support the development of an embryo or fetus outside of a woman's uterus. The goal of these systems is to provide a more controlled and potentially safer environment for fetal development, potentially reducing the risks associated with traditional pregnancy and childbirth.
There are a number of potential applications for artificial wombs, including helping women who are unable to carry a pregnancy to term due to medical conditions or helping to improve outcomes for premature infants.
At this time, artificial wombs are still in the early stages of development and are not yet fully available for use in everyday humans. There have been some successful animal studies, and concepts have been made for use in humans that we could see become prevalent over the next few years.
Some potential features of artificial wombs that may give parents more control over their baby's development could include the ability to carefully control the environment in which the fetus develops, such as the temperature, humidity, and nutrient levels.
Other potential features might include monitoring systems to track the baby's vital signs and development, as well as the ability to intervene if any problems arise.
Genetic modification, eye colour, muscle development, hairline length and colour, and other visual characteristics
Mental capacity of the child, giving a high IQ level and likely setting up the child to excel further than natural born children
Eliminate disease in the DNA and avoid all illness and suffering, targeting the potential issues in DNA makeup. Including mental illness.
At this point The EctoLife research company in Germany revealed the facility they have offers customer baby characteristics to choose from on a menu. So far, it claims the capacity of the lab is to grow 30,000 babies a year and is said to be based on over 50 years of scientific research.
They have reported that: -"EctoLife, will be the world's first artificial womb facility, which is powered entirely by renewable energy. According to the World Health Organization, around 300,000 women die from pregnancy complications. The artificial womb is designed to alleviate human suffering and reduce the chances of C-sections. The premature births and C-sections will be a thing of the past."
What will the impacts on society look like?
If artificial wombs were to become available for use in humans commercially in the next few years, it's possible that society could be impacted in a number of ways. Some potential changes could include:
Changes to family structures: Artificial wombs could allow people who are unable to carry a pregnancy to term, or who cannot conceive naturally, to have biological children. This could potentially lead to changes in traditional family structures.
Changes to reproductive rights: The availability of artificial wombs could potentially impact debates around reproductive rights and access to reproductive technologies.
Changes to gender roles: If artificial wombs became widely available, it is possible that traditional gender roles and expectations could be impacted, as both men and women could potentially be able to carry a pregnancy to term.
Ethical and moral debates: The use of artificial wombs could raise a number of ethical and moral questions, such as whether it is appropriate to gestate a fetus outside of a woman's body, and what the implications might be for the mother-child bond.
So, the matrix is here. Are you ready?


text:
Free Gems Recommendations Click here
THE OLDEST & MOST TRUSTED NAME FOR ASTRO-JYOTISH GEMSTONES & RUDRAKSHAS (SINCE 1937)
We have no other branch (except the one mentioned on the "contact us" page of this website), neither have we given any kind of franchisee to anyone in the name of Pure Vedic Gems, kindly be aware of people using our name of Pure Vedic Gems or similar names to sell their products. Pure Vedic Gems pvt. ltd. is the sister concern of Shakti Dia Gems Pvt. Ltd. run by Shri Vikas Mehra (Director) having its exclusive Retail, Wholesale and Export outlet at MGF Metropolitan Mall, Saket, New Delhi, India.
Free Gems Recommendations
ABOUT VEDIC ASTROLOGY
NINE VEDIC GEMS
NAVRATNAS
ENERGIZED GEMS
KNOW YOUR VEDIC GEMS
OUR PRODUCTCOLLECTION
PITAMBARI
EXCLUSIVE GEMS
UPRATNAS
HAKIK
JWELLERY
ASTRO RING DESIGNS
ASTRO PENDENT DESIGNS
RUDRAKSHA DESIGNS
READY STOCK (ASTRO)
DIAMOND JWELLERY
VEDIC YAGYAS
SPIRITUAL IDOLS
SHIVLING
Navratanas
Home / Shop / NAVRATAN / Rudraksha / 8 Mukhi Rudraksha / 8 Mukhi Rudraksha (3694mg)
8 Mukhi Rudraksha (3694mg)
SKU: C180... Category: 8 Mukhi Rudraksha
Eight Mukhi Rudraksha
8 MUKHI (3694 mg) Click Here – To View Rudraksha Design Samples
Eight Mukhi Rudraksha (Ruling Planet Rahu)
The eight Mukhi Rudraksha is Lord Ganesha who is worshipped prior to any other God. The wearer becomes unaffected by miseries that are physical, divine or mental. It gives the wearer all kinds of Riddhies and Siddhis and leads to Shivloka. The Lord Ganesha Rudrakshaalso supports and influences clear intellect, gaining knowledge, improving finances and success in action.
Diseases it cures –
Eight Faced Rudraksha is ruled by Rahu and cures diseases of nervous system, prostate, gall bladder and lungs, stomach ache, stress, skin diseases, anxiety, fear of snakes, cataract, hydrosil and breathing problems.
Mantras to be recited for Eight mukhi Rudraksha –
Om Hum Namah (Shiva Puran)
Om Sah Hoom Namah (Padma Puran)
Om kam vam namah (Skand Puran)
Mahamrintunjaya Mantra
Om Hreem Greem Leem
Aam Shreem
Om Namah Shivaya
Purifying & Energizing of Original Rudrakshas by Rudra Mantras at Pure Vedic Gems
₹9,000.00 ₹5,500.00 Buy Now
8 Mukhi Rudraksha (4594 mg)
PURE VEDIC GEMS
Treated Gems
Astro Advice
Gemstone Healing
Know Your Gemstone
Care of Gemstones
Emerald Qualities
Catseye Qualities
Yellow Sapphire Qualities
Blue Sapphire Qualities
Hessonite Qualities
Ruby Qualities
White Sapphire Qualities
Red Coral Qualities
Opal Qualities
Rudraksha Qualities
How To Measure Finger For Ring
Free Gems Recommendation
(+91) 9871582404,
purevedicgems@gmail.com
Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin or Articles to get important and valuable information and updates on Vedic Karmic remedies like - Yoga, Meditation, Yagyas, Yantras, Mantras, Ayurveda and Ratna Dharana
Copyright © 2013-2021 Pure Vedic Gems. All materials presented here are protected by copyright laws. Unauthorized copying, duplication, transmission for commercial purposes, plagiarism will attract severe legal penalties.
Pure Vedic Gems Feedback 4.9 / 5 - 9,278
Provide Your Detail
Preferred Date and Time
Get a call
Call Us : (+91) 9871582404, (+91) 7982987269
Email-id *
Requirements *
Gems Recommendations
--Select Month-- Janaury February March April May June July August September October November December
1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Time of birth*
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
Problem*


text:
Goodbye, Vitamin
by Rachel Khong (Author)
Fiction Literary English literature American and Canadian literature
Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, O, The Oprah Magazine, Vogue, San Francisco Chronicle, Esquire, Huffington Post, Nylon, Entertainment Weekly, Buzzfeed, Booklist, and The Independent
Winner of the California Book Award for First Fiction
Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist for First Fiction
"A quietly brilliant disquisition . . . told in prose that is so startling in its spare beauty that I found myself thinking about Khong's turns of phrase for days after I finished reading."--Doree Shafrir, The New York Times Book Review
"One of those rare books that is both devastating and light-hearted, heartful and joyful. . . . Don't miss it."--Buzzfeed
"Hello, Rachel Khong. Kudos for this delectable take on familial devotion and dementia."--NPR
Her life at a crossroads, a young woman goes home again in this funny and inescapably moving debut from a wonderfully original new literary voice.
Freshly disengaged from her fiancé and feeling that life has not turned out quite the way she planned, thirty-year-old Ruth quits her job, leaves town and arrives at her parents' home to find that situation more complicated than she'd realized. Her father, a prominent history professor, is losing his memory and is only erratically lucid. Ruth's mother, meanwhile, is lucidly erratic. But as Ruth's father's condition intensifies, the comedy in her situation takes hold, gently transforming her all her grief.
Told in captivating glimpses and drawn from a deep well of insight, humor, and unexpected tenderness, Goodbye, Vitamin pilots through the loss, love, and absurdity of finding one's footing in this life.


Virtual assistants seem to be everywhere one turns today, both online and in the physical world. From voice-controlled gadgets like Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) Home and Amazon's (NASDAQ: AMZN) Echo to the virtual chatbots some organizations' websites use to greet visitors, these tools are attempting to help people get their questions answered more quickly.
But some chatbots, like one developed by Buoy Health that provides users with information about health symptoms they're experiencing, are designed to be more than just a knowledgeable conversation partner.
On Tuesday, Boston-based Buoy announced a partnership with the Rhode Island-based retail pharmacy giant CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) aimed at making it simple for some patients who use Buoy's app or website to get checked out at one of the 1,100 healthcare clinics CVS's subsidiary MinuteClinic operates across the country.
Some industry observers believe CVS, which bestrides the healthcare and retail industries, will continue to benefit as more patients receive care outside of hospital settings. That's where care—and real estate—tend to be most costly, leading to a so-called "retail-ization" of healthcare in areas like medical imaging.
Buoy, meanwhile, wants to compete with Google, WebMD, and other online destinations for patients who wake up with back pain or a severe cough, say, and want to get more information. The startup's tools can help a user determine if his or her symptoms are serious enough to merit a trip to the emergency room, an urgent care facility, or a walk-in clinic, such as the ones CVS operates, says Andrew Le, Buoy's co-founder and CEO.
Buoy's software searches through thousands of published medical papers in order to determine the most likely diagnosis, Le says, and what type of healthcare facility is most appropriate for the patient to visit. If it's a walk-in clinic, Buoy's chatbot will communicate that to the patient and, thanks to the new partnership, display details about the nearest CVS MinuteClinic location, he says. In the event that the patient decides he or she wants to visit that clinic and be seen by a healthcare provider there, the person can click a button within Buoy's menu to reserve the next place in line.
Buoy's news release announcing it's collaborating with CVS did not contain any specific financial terms. Le says the two companies "are still figuring out the economic and commercial terms" of the partnership.
"We haven't really gotten into exactly how the commercial arrangement will work," he says.
But it sounds like Buoy is taking steps to ensure users trust that its chatbot's recommendations are unbiased. Buoy will not receive fees from CVS for referring patients to the retailer's clinics, Le says. And working with CVS didn't lead Buoy to tweak its algorithms so the chatbot would steer more patients to a MinuteClinic, he adds. It's still just as likely to recommend other options, he says, such as a visit to one's primary care physician, or another doctor, reached via telemedicine software.
Buoy has not yet configured its software to be able to share information users enter about themselves and their symptoms with CVS's computerized patient records system, Le says.
"That may be something that we entertain down the road, but that's not part of the early roadmap," he says.


The Jaguar Spitfires to Sports Cars Tour provides a unique insight into the operation of Castle Bromwich during the '40s and over three fascinating hours, you will learn the secrets of car and airplane manufacturing, visiting many areas of the factory that are being opened to the public for the first time.
Guests must be at least 10 years of age to attend our tours.
Over three fascinating hours learn the secrets of car and aeroplane manufacturing at Jaguar's Castle Bromwich home.
Castle Bromwich has a rich history and it's a history that's still being made as the manufacturing base of Jaguar cars. From the high performance F-Type to the advanced XJ, nearly all of Jaguar's luxury and performance cars have their home at Castle Bromwich.
It is at Castle Bromwich where Jaguar continues to develop its unparalleled expertise in advanced aluminium manufacturing, a skill which also served the nation during the war years, when the factory was a primary location for building Spitfire fighter aircraft.
Voucher will be sent via email after the purchase is complete. The email will include a voucher code and PDF that can be used when gifting the voucher.
Delivery will be made via Royal Mail First Class. Orders will be posted next day and be delivered within approximately 2-5 working days.
Please contact the relevant centre to arrange international postage. Click here to Find a Centre.
This means that if you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, you can return your purchase to us within 14 days of receiving it.
We will issue you a full refund for the price you paid for the item(s).
For full details please view our Returns Policy.
Why not add the personal touch and include the recipient name on the voucher?


Seven applicants have qualified as candidates for the soon-to-be open seat on the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, Chief Cook County Circuit Judge Timothy C. Evans announced today.
Under a state statute, the composition of the three-member board is to include one member from the state's two leading political parties. Currently, the board has one Democrat and one Republican. The current opening is not limited to any political party.
The current vacancy occurred when Election Board Chairman Langdon D. Neal informed Chief Judge Evans that he would step down at the end of this month.
In addition, the board serves as the quasi-judicial arm of the courts and issues decisions when a voter objects to the nominating petitions of a candidate who wants to be on the Election Day ballot. Such offices include Chicago Mayor, Chicago Alderman, Ward Committeeman, City Treasurer, City Clerk and certain Congressional, Illinois Senate and Illinois House of Representatives Districts that fall partly or entirely in the City of Chicago.
The candidates' application forms can be found at www.cookcountycourt.org. Printed versions of the applications and supporting documents may be viewed in person, by appointment, in the Office of the Chief Judge, Room 2600 of the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St.
To schedule an appointment to review the applications and supporting documents in person, contact either Pat Milhizer at (312) 603-5160 or Rose Mary Marasso at (312) 603-6553. The inspection period begins today and runs through the day that the appointment is made.


text:
Man Accused Of Fatal Fire Out Of Hospital, Now In Jail
Filed Under:Minneapolis News, Northeast Minneapolis, Structure Fire
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The man accused of setting his girlfriend on fire last week, causing her death, is now in jail after being hospitalized.
Vanessa Danielson, 36, died after being severely burned when police say her house was intentionally set on fire. They believe it was part of a domestic violence situation.
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office says 32-year-old Wyndale Fayson is now in Hennepin County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m.
His first court appearance wasn't scheduled until after he left the hospital, as he sustained serious burns in the incident.
Bail has been set at $1 million for the charge of second-degree murder, and $40,000 for domestic assault.
Read More: Family Of Woman Burned To Death By Boyfriend Recalls 'Years Of Pain'
Court documents show Fayson was charged with felony domestic assault in July and given a no-contact order for Danielson.
Court records show Fayson violated that no contact order on Thursday.
Police were first called to the home on the 2900 block of Taylor Street around 2:45 a.m. Danielson said that Fayson came to her home and got angry, smashed her cell phone and threatened to kill her by setting the place on fire. He had left when police first arrived.
A neighbor said that he heard screaming at 3 a.m., "He's going to kill me, he has a gun!" That neighbor called 911.
Ultimately, when police arrived once again that morning, the apartment was on fire, and Danielson was lying in the front yard, badly burned.
She told paramedics that she woke up on fire in bed, and told a neighbor that Fayson was responsible.
The criminal complaint says that a melted two-gallon gas can was found in the residence, and there was evidence of accelerant used on the bed.
Police said they found Fayson on his hands and knees a few blocks away, screaming in pain from severe burns. The complaint says he told police he should not have gone back to the house.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for Danielson's family.


With a solid time trial, Jakob claimed his third place overall on the final day of Tirreno-Adriatico. Primoz Roglic won the overall classification by one second on Adam Yates who is 2nd overall in front of Jakob.
" I'm really happy for the 3rd place overall, it has been a good start of the season and to be another podium of a big race like Tirreno-Adriatico is really big. Especially when you see our position after the TTT, where we had bad luck with the conditions. It looked like a GC would be gone but we fought as a team to come back. As a team we can be really proud, as we really left our mark on the race here. We raced really hard, we won the 2 hardest stages, Lutenseko took the GPM and i'm 3rd overall, so a very good race of the team. Today I gave my best to try to change something in the general classification, but I knew it would be difficult because of the length of the time trial and the time gaps. Anyhow, it was a good test. I didn't feel like I was flying but I was also not going slow so in the end nothing changed and this day was ok. But this race shows again we're on the right track, the start has been good, now it's time to recover and look forward. I believe I van still improve for the next races, we will see." says Jakob.
The riders started in Colli al Metauro to finish in Recanati after 180 kilometres of racing with multiple challenging climbs in the final part of the race. A breakaway of then riders formed early in the race, but when the race entered the local laps, only a few riders of this group remained. The riders of Astana Pro Team started chasing the front of a reduced peloton, and when Dario Cataldo finished pulling, Jakob took off and launched an impressive attack. He managed to close the gap with two remaining riders of the break, but with 13 kilometres to go he went solo and took the stage with an impressive solo attack.
After an impressive race, Jakob Fuglsang finished second in Strade Bianche. He dominated the race and split the front group with a strong attack in one of the last sectors. He attacked multiple times in the final, ending up with only Julian Alaphilippe to fight for the victory. The french rider eventually won the race just in front of Jakob, after the final steep climb in Siena.
" I felt very strong and I did everything to win today. In the end, Julian Alaphilippe was able to hang on and to counter-attack in the final kilometre. Of course I would have liked to win this race, but I can be satisfied with the way I raced. The team was strong today and because of this I ended up in a selected group together with Alexey Lutsenko. I knew I had to try to force something, so I attacked and only Alaphilippe and Van Aert were able to follow. It would have been in my favour if they chased us a bit more, because now Alaphilippe was not pulling and was able to save some energy for the final. But I did everything I could today so I should be happy with this second place. I'm sure with these legs I will be able to get that first place on the podium in one of the next races." said Jakob.
It was a perfect end of the week for Astana Pro Team with Jakob winning the overall classification at the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta del Sol 2019.
" I am very happy with my win, Our team lives a very nice moment now at the start of the season and I am happy to bring the team the 6th GC victory in a row. I was able to come in a good shape to the start of the year and I felt well during this week. But, also, I can say that this is the team's win, the team's success. Today's victory brings me additional confidence in myself and proves I worked in a right direction during the winter. We are still in the early period of the season and all the big goals are still lying ahead. But we are on the right way to it, " says Jakob.
Astana Pro Team did a perfect and aggressive race at the queen stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia, moving Jakob into the lead of the general classification of the race.
" We did a very good race, our main goal was to take the lead and we did it. At the last two climbs of the day we put Tim Wellens under a big pressure with our attacks, and also Michelton-Scott helped us with their attacks. It worked perfectly for us. Simon Yates was strong today, maybe i could have followed his attack but i preferred to control my closest rivals since he was out of GC. The overall classification was our priority for today so i just followed our plan. The team did a great job, all my team mates were very strong. In the final I had a big help from Ion Izaguirre and Pello Bilbao. We did a good downhill and had full control over the race until the finish. I am happy to become the leader of the race. We still have one difficult day tomorrow but in the same time we have a strong team to fight to the finish line to keep my lead." says Jakob.
Jakob did an impressive individual time trial at the 3rd stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia, finishing 2nd only 2 seconds behind stage winner Tim Wellens.
" I just gave my all today. Can't say that this time trial suited me very well, it was quite short and explosive. I would prefer to have longer climbs but today there were just two hard but short climbs in the beginning and in the end and a long fast downhill in the middle. It is a pity that I didn't win because I was really close today. But we still have one very hard stage tomorrow and as we saw today, we have a very strong team, We will try to do something in the queen stage. " says Jakob..
Astana pro Team had a very good start at the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista del Sol with the finish of the first stage atop a short but very steep climb in Alcalà de los Gazules.
Jakob attacked on the climb and finished 2nd on the stage.
" In the first part of the final climb it was strong headwind. I had a good position and I was able to come in front in the middle of the climb. Tim Wellens went away and it was hard to follow him in that moment. I lost speed a bit going into the last steep part but i was able to come back and to finished 2nd. So, it is one more 2nd place for me but in general i can be happy with this stage. The feeling was good so we will see in the next days." says Jakob.
The Vuelta Ciclista a Murcia has been a very successful one for Astana Proteam taking not only the general classification but also secondary wins.
Pello Bilbao won stage 1 while Luis Leon Sanchez was the winner of stage 2 and the overall classification. Jakob did hard team work on both days helping the team secure those victories and got rewarded by winning the Mountain jersey.
His legs feel good and he is ready for the upcoming Vuelta a Andalucia - Ruta del Sol.
season 2019 leading the Astana Pro Team.
His first race will be Ruta del Sol from the 20.2 - 24.2.
He is already fully into preparations for the upcoming races. The team held its first trainingcamp in December in Calpe, Spain.
Jakob is ready to fight another season, to improve his performances and take the best out of himself in the upcoming races. His first big goal is Tirreno Adriatico where he will go all in for the Overall Classification.
Jakob started this year's Tour de France with high ambitions aiming for a final top 5 or even the final podium. The preparations have gone well and he was ready for fight. The first week took the riders over a few challenging stages including Mur de Bretagne where Jakob finished with the other GC contenders. Jakob was hoping to make a first difference on the stage 9 which was a real " roubaix " stage taking the riders over many cobble sectors. Jakob attacked several times but didn't manage to make a big difference and finished with the other GC contenders. After the first rest day the riders then hit the first real mountains, starting with the finish on " le grand bornand". After that stage, Jakob had moved up to 4th in GC. The following stage taking the riders up to " la Rosière " turned out to be a black day for him. He had to let go of the favorite group with 10 km remaining. He hadn't felt good that day, his forces left him and he just tried to limit the loss and ended the stage 3min50 behind the winner. He slipped out of top 10 which of course was a big disappointment but the Tour was long and he wanted to keep fighting. The following stage took the riders up the popular "Alpe d'Huez", Jakob finished 8th with only small gaps between the GC favorites. The 2nd week ended with some more easier stages and a restday in Carcassone before the riders hit the last challenging week in the Pyrenees where several very hard mountain stages waited for them. Jakob was motivated but he could feel that his body didn't really work the way he wanted it to, something was wrong but he couldn't really figure out what while one hard stage hit the next. The podium seemed impossible by now but he wanted to fight for the best possible GC result. While trying to recover from whatever made him not feel himself, he tried to fight stage by stage and see what he could get out of it. On the last mountain stage which was a real mountain marathon ending in " Laruns", Jakob attacked on the popular " le Tourmalet " with around 100 km to go, aiming for a stage victory and an eventual time gain on the other GC contenders. He got away but his forces left him soon after and he got caught back by the favorite group. From then on it was about fighting until the end of the stage. All that was left now was the individual time trial and the final stage in Paris. Jakob finished 12th in GC which was a huge disappointment for him as he aimed for much more and had prepared himself at the best possible.
"Of course I am very disappointed about this year's Tour de France and my final result, I aimed for much more and also expected much of myself, but something just didn't got right and I simply didn't feel myself on the bike. I didn't have the energy as i usually do, I couldn't deliver the way I usually do so something was wrong with me. Now it is about finding out what exactly went wrong and then I will look forward to the next races. It was not my last Tour de France and I will definitely come back stronger. " says Jakob.
The Astana Pro team anyway got 2 stage victories with Omar Fraile winning stage stage 14 in Mende and Magnus Cort winning stage 15 in Carcassone.
Jakob will now recover from the Tour and look forward for the upcoming races.
Jakob hit the general classification podium at the Tour de Suisse finishing 2nd Overall after a stunning performance on the Queens mountain stage in Arosa where he finished 2nd and a very strong final individual time trial in Bellinzona. The leader of the Astana Pro Team finished 8th in the time trial, becoming the best rider among all GC contenders. This result was more than enough to move Jakob onto the final podium of the Tour de Suisse.
'' This is a great result, which brings me a lot of confidence ahead of the Tour de France. I won the Critérium du Dauphiné last year and now i am 2nd at the Tour de Suisse. This tells me i am on the right way. In today's TT I just gave my all and everything went perfect. I worked a lot on my TT skills last year and now this work pays off. I am really happy to be on the podium. It's true that we did not have a good Team Time Trial at the beginning of the race, but stage by stage we could improve as a team and the final podium is a nice reward for all of us.'' said Jakob.
In the next days he will do a recon of a few Tour de France stages and he will continue his preparation for the Tour.
Next up... Tour de France!
Jakob has released a book about his story in cycling and life, written by Rasmus Staghøj and published by Politiken.
It was a project that took a few months of work as Jakob's story is a special one. The book is something like a biography but much more special than that. The truth behind his mysterious character, the beginning of his successful career, the passion for cycling, the ups and down in his career but also in life, the hard and long process to becoming the popular pro cyclist, the olympic silver medal that changed it all and the big dream of the rainbow stripes and the yellow jersey.
Jakob is stronger, more confident and more focused then ever before, he is ready to fight to reach his goals and follow his dreams.
The book has been released and presented in Copenhagen on Wednesday 6th June. It was a very busy day for Jakob with 2 tv shows and 21 interviews as well as a small reception.
After an impressive attack in the final 15 kilometers of the Queen stage, Jakob finished his first solo victory in 2018.
" I already tried to attack in the final climb but going downhill I had to chase and close the gap with the leaders. But luckily halfway the downhill the road went up a little bit and at that point my sports director Dimitry Fovonov was screaming at me that now was the moment. But i told him I was already racing at my limit. But just after that moment I was in the perfect position, just behind the group that was mostly looking at each other so I took my chance. I'm really happy with this victory, it gives a really good feeling and a lot of confidence for the start of my preparations for the Tour de France in a few weeks." told Jakob.
It was a149km long stage starting and finishing in Sion. With 3 climbs of the 1st category and 2 climbs of 2nd category, the riders had a hard day on the bike. At the start of the final climb, the breakaway was caught and it all came down to a small group of riders. Jakob attacked but got caught again. With 15 km to go he then attacked again for a solo finish in the streets of Sion. With his stage victory, Jakob climbed to the 4th place in General Classification.
Next up... some rest before the final preparations for Tour de Suisse and Tour de France.
Jakob Finished 10th at this year's Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Winner Bob Jungels attacked with 20 km to go and remained in front of the chasing group of favorites until the finish. Jakob was part of the favorites group but Michael Woods and Romain Bardet were the fastest in the end and took the other podium spots.
" We tried our best today, but the team with the most riders in the final are the one winning the races. Today Gilbert and Jungels did a good job. I tried to do my best but it was not enough today. I knew it was hard to get Bob Jungels back, but nothing happened in our group to close the gap. For the final sprint I was in the right wheel and I gave it all but at the end it was not enough for the podium today. " said Jakob.
An unexpected breakaway of six riders, including Tanel Kangert, almost made it to the finish. But at the end it all came down to the final climb of Mur de Huy, with Julian Alaphillipe finishing first. Jakob was the first riders of Astana Pro Team to cross the finish line in a 16th place.
" The start of the race was easier than expected, with the expected teams controlling the race right from the start. But when Tanel Kangert took off in the breakaway we hoped he could make it to the finish with that group, because we knew this would be the only way we could race for a victory. At the end it was a pity that he didn't make it and I did my best on the final climb. After all it was a good day and I was feeling good, so now I'm really looking forward to Sunday when we race Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a classic race that suits me better than the past two Ardennes classics. " told Jakob.
After impressive teamwork during the day, from closing the gap with the breakaway to Jakob attacking several times in the final, it was Michael Valgren who finished it off with his second win of the season.
" It was a good race. I was a little excited to see how I was after a month without racing. But I was really happy with my feeling today. We ended up in the perfect position, together with Michael, to race for the victory and it's great that we could finish it like this. I'm happy for Michael that he won after his second place of a few years ago." said Jakob.
This year the luck wasn't on Jakob's side in Paris Nice.
A crash 2,8 km before the finish caused Jakob to lose 1:38 on the 1st stage, which ended his GC hopes.
The team anyway worked hard and Luis Leon Sanchez managed to become the new race leader. They tried everything to defend the yellow jersey. Jakob sacrificed himself helping Luis Leon Sanchez to remain race leader.
On stage 7, a final climb of 16,3 km awaited the riders. Jakob worked hard to help defend the leader's jersey but they were defeated and had to pass it to Simon Yates.
Jakob was anyway very happy with his shape and progress and is looking forward to the upcoming races.
Next up... the ardennes classics which will be help in April.
"In general I'm happy with the past few days, at least about the feeling I have on the bike. The whole team has been racing very strong and that is the most important thing as the final result was not what we came for. But we showed that we're there, that we're ready to fight so the spirit is good. Today I felt really good and I raced a good time trial, but somehow it was not enough at the end to challenge the guys on the podium. The numbers were good, the feeling was good, and that's what I'll take with me to the next races. "
Jakob's next race will be Paris Nice which is one of his first big goals in the season.
Jakob started his season very strong, ending on the final podium of the Volta a la Communitat Valenciana.
The 4th stage took the riders over a mountainous route. Pro team Astana tried to launch several attacks in the final climb, Jakob was trying to take the overall victory but the yellow jersey Alejandro Valverde was unbeatable.
" We tried and we were up there in the final. I think we can be happy with the race. It's a good start, this is my first race and i feel my form is ok. We still have some times to work a bit more and to improve for the first big goals of the season but so far everything is running perfectly." said Jakob.
The final 5th stage of the race has been held between Paterna and city center of Valencia and ended in a bunch sprint.
Astana Pro team did a very strong race with Luis Leon Sanchez 2nd and Jakob 3rd overall as well as the victory of the team classification.
" Two Astana riders on the podium in the first race is a very solid result, so i'm happy with my performance and how the team did the race. Now we are sure that we are right where we wanted to be at the start of the season. So we're leaving Valencia in a good mood and with some strong motivation for the upcoming races" said Jakob.
Next up... the Vuelta Ciclista a Murcia which will be held on the 10th of February.
On the 2nd stage of the Volta a la Communitat Valenciana, Jakob and his team mate Luis Leon Sanchez did a brave race ending 2nd and 3rd.
The stage took them from Bétera to Albuixech over a hilly route and a hard climb with 30 km to go. The stage was a good first opportunity for the riders to show their strenghts in the early part of the season.
With 2km to the top of the final climb El Garbi, Jakob attacked and was followed by Alejandro Valverde. They passed over the climb together with an advantage of 15 seconds on the main group. A bit later, Luis Leon Sanchez attacked from the chasing group to bridge to the leaders.
" I was first to attack and Valverde came across. He came strong and I realised it could be a good moment to go with him. It was our plan to try something in the final of today's stage so it was a right moment for that After, Luis Leon joined us and i think it was the main reason why we could stay in front until the finish, he was super strong today. Also Luis Leon and Alejandro knew the distance and it was an advantage too. " said Jakob.
The trio worked hard the last 30 km, holding a good advantage of 25-30 seconds to the chasing group of 23 riders. Finally, the 3 leaders came together to the finish to decide the stage victory in a sprint. Alejandro Valverde became the stage winner with Luis Leon 2nd and Jakob 3rd.
After today's stage Valverde moved in to the leader position of the general classification. Luis Leon Sanchez in 2nd with 4 seconds behind. Jakob is now sitting 3rd Overall with 6 seconds.
After 2 important trainingcamps in december an january, Jakob will start his season 2018 with the Volta a la Communitat Valenciana.
As a leader for Astana Pro Team, Jakob will try to make the best possible results for the team this year, mainly achieving the general classements.
Stage 2 of the Tour of Almaty started at the Halyk Arena in Almaty and finished near the famous speed skating center Medeu.
With more or less 5 km to go, on a steep part of the final climb, Jakob launched a powerful attack. He was able to get an advantage and to keep it until the finish line, taking a nice solo victory.
- I am very happy to win today. I had some bad luck during the last few months with that crashes at the Tour de France and later at the criterium in Denmark. So, I had to do my best to recover well and to come back on a good level. What why today's success is so important for me. We did a training on the course of the stage and on the final climb, so I knew what to expect. The team did an excellent job, supporting me during the day and chasing all attacks of the rivals behind me. Yesterday we had a tough day, but I tried to save as much energy as possible to be ready for today. Finally, everything went like we wanted. I am happy to win in the mountains, this gives me an additional confidence in myself. Besides, it is a great pleasure to get a win in Almaty, in Kazakhstan for all our fans here.- said Jakob.
Jakob will start racing again in the Grand prix cycliste de Quebec and Montreal.
His goal is to find back the rhythm, and test his shape for the upcoming races.
After having recovered from his Tour de France injuries, Jakob started racing again on a criterium in Herning, Denmark.
Bad fortune appeared to be following him as he got crashed by another rider on the Criterium.
Following a hospital visit, they diagnosed that Jakob fractured his left collarbone which required surgery.
Jakob has been transferred to Herentals in Belgium to have surgery done by Dr. Toon Claes who did a fantastic job.
After some rehabilitation, Jakob recovered very fast and soon started training outside again. The goal was to be able to start racing again in Canada for the Grand prix cycliste de Quebec and Montreal.
Jakob started the Tour de France 2017 as team leader with a great motivation of doing a top 5 classification in general classement. After having won the Critérium du Dauphiné 2017, he was very motivated and confident to do a top classification.
Jakob made is safely through the first week of the Tour and started the second week with a 5th position in general classement. Unfortunately, Jakob got involved in a crash on stage 11 where he injured himself. After closer examinations, they diagnosed fractures in his left elbow and his left wrist.
Jakob decided to keep fighting and managed to finish stage 12. On stage 13, the pain was too strong so that the team decided together with Jakob that he had to abandon the Tour de France to recover from his injuries.
It was a super race by the Astana Pro Team guys at the Critérium du Dauphiné with Jakob at his top performance, winning stage 6, stage 8 and the Overall Classification.
Fabio Aru attacked at 50km to go on the Col de Colombier together with Alejandro Valverde, they were then retaken from the top riders, including Jakob, at the bottom of the last climb.
Race leader Richie Porte found himself well behind a lead group of rivals at the start of the final climb, it was Jakob who surged into contention for yellow on the steep gradients of the race's last mountain.
Jakob jumped clear with Quick-step rider Dan Martin with around 7 km to go, leaving Froome well behind, and then Jakob went solo to take the victory of stage 8. A massive effort in pursuit saw Richie Porte catch back up to and then pass Froome, but the Australian finished 1:15 behind Jakob. Due to the bonus seconds he earned at the finish line, Jakob took the Overall Victory of the Critérium du Dauphiné, with Richie Porte finishing 2nd and Dan Martin 3rd.
"It has been incredible, since the start everyone attacked the yellow jersey, we tried to do the same tactic as BMC, then Richie remained alone and there was a big confusion at the front until Fabio attacked and at the point the other teams had to work to close the gap. I took advantage from this situation and when in the final climb, Dan Martin attacked, I had the legs to follow him and I did. I'm super happy and proud of what i achieved, it's just great. " says Jakob.
The second mountain stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné has been a very good team work for Astana Pro Team with Jakob 7th on the finish line, recovering important seconds on many GC rivals.
On the tough climbs of the Col de Sarenne and the last 3,7 km of the Alpe d'Huez, there has been several attacks by Jakob and his team mate Fabio Aru.. The yellow jersey then did an important attack with Jakob the only one being able to hold his wheel.
" Another good day... the entire team did a fantastic job doing the best to help me and Fabio. I was quiet with the GC contenders all day long, then Fabio attacked at 3 km to go but the wind was strong in front of us and it was difficult... in the end Richie Porte did a great forcing and I had the legs to stay with him and this way I have gained some seconds on the other rivals. " says Jakob.
One day to end the Critérium du Dauphiné with Jakob sitting 3rd in GC, 1:15 from race leader Richie Porte and only 13 seconds from 2nd placed Christopher Froome.
Tomorrow's last stage will be another mountain stage of 115km with 4 climbs including the challenging uphill final of 11,3 km at an average of 9,2%. It will be a battle between the GC contenders.
Everyone in the peloton was waiting for the first important climb of this years Critérium du Dauphiné. It took the riders up the challenging 8,7 km climb Mont du Chat with an average of 10,3 %. Jakob and his teammate Fabio Aru did the most important attacks of the day.
"We knew the climb because we tried it in the days before Dauphiné so we had the right gears on the bike and we could adjust the effort while climbing. Before the start of the climb i asked to my team mate Michael Valgren to bring us to the front and he did an extraordinary job. " said Jakob.
Jakob won the stage as he outsprinted the other 3 GC contenders after trying to escape with 1 km to go. It was a tight victory over Richie Porte.
"There's been a lot of bad luck for our team this year but finally everything seems to come together and be start to be competitive. Luckily it's now right before the Tour the France. To ride like this at the Dauphiné with two other favourites for the Tour is really nice. This victory is for Michele Scarponi but it's also for the entire team who did a great job today." says Jakob.
The new general classification sees Jakob in 3rd position at 1:15 from race leader Richie Porte.
Jakob and the whole Pro Team Astana went trough a very hard time with the big loss of their friend and team mate Michele Scarponi. On the Ardenne classic Liege - Bastogne - Liege, all thoughts were with the family of Michele. The riders were racing with Michele in their hearts, as they will do in the future. He will always be in their memory as the most amazing team mate and great friend.
After the Ardenne Classics, Jakob took a planned break off the bike to recover from the races but also from the emotional loss.
He is back in training and full in to preparing for the biggest goals of the season, the upcoming Critérium du Dauphiné as well as the Tour de France.
Soon he will leave for a long Altitude training camp on the popular Teide in Teneriffe where he will continue his preparation.
The shape is good and the preparation is running perfectly. Jakob will use the Critérium du Dauphiné as a preparation and will try to do a top result in General Classification in Tour de France.
The 52nd edition of the Amstel Goldrace has opened the traditional Ardennes Classics week in the Netherlands. The peloton passed 261km from Maastricht to Berg en Terblijd near Valkenburg. The race was impressively won by the Belgian champion Philippe Gilbert.
Astana Pro Team competed with Michael Valgren and Alexey Lutsenko as team leaders, and Jakob as road captain. Michael Valgren had done a great performance arriving 2nd at the Amstel Goldrace 2016. This year he attacked from the chasing group with a few km to go to try to get a top - 10 classification but he was caught back by the rivals and finished 35th inside a big group. Jakob did his job as a road captain and full filled his roles as a helper.
On Wednesday, April 19th, Astana Pro Team will continue the Ardennes Classic week with la Flèche Wallonne. Jakob will be team leader for that Classic and try to do a Top Classification.
The prestigious world tour race Paris Nice didn't start at its best for Jakob.
Unexpected high winds and stormy weather caused the peloton to break in many pieces on the 1st stage. Jakob was in the 2nd group with mainly all the other GC contenders until he was unlucky to have a flat tire in a bad moment. This cost him his ambitions for the General Classification of Paris Nice.
The following stages were marked by stormy weather and ended in Sprints. On stage 6 the peloton hit the first mountains with a steep but short finish in Fayence where Jakob finished 6th.
The tactic had changed and he now worked for a stage victory.
Stage 7 was the queens stage of Paris Nice with 3 mountains of category 1 and more than 4000 altitude meters of climbing. The stage finished for a first time on the 15km long col de la Couillole, the highest finish ever in Paris Nice. Jakob was very active and tried to attack several times of the final ascent, having a battle for victory with Richie Porte who ended up winning the stage. Jakob finished 6th on the queens stage.
Stage 8 led the riders over several mountains and the category 1 col d'èze before having the final finish in Nice. Jakob wanted to take his chance and attacked several times on col d'èze but the other contenders wouldn't let him get away.
" I am really happy with these three mountain stages here at the Paris-Nice. Think these stages showed I am where I have to be for now. That makes me happy and I am looking forward towards the Tour de France. To be there in front all three days with all the leaders is important for me, because it shows my stability in the mountains and also that I have legs to try something as well. I am pretty happy with my performance here in France. Now it is time for some recovery, because we had here some really hard stages. And later my next goal will be the Volta a Catalunya " - said Jakob.
He ended Paris-Nice 12th in GC and is hoping for more luck in the upcoming Volta Catalunya where he will give it a new try for GC.
Jakob experienced a few good stages at this years Tour of Oman, arriving 3rd in stage 2 and 5th in stage 3.
Jakob was 3rd in GC until the decisive stage 5 finishing on the Green Mountain, where he still missed a bit to stay with the best.
" Of course i would have been happy to keep my 3rd spot in GC and finish it on the podium like last year but it doesn't always work the way you want. It's still early in the season and there are many important races to come. Now I'm back home preparing and training to make sure I'm ready for the upcoming races. "
Jakob's next race will be Paris - Nice.
Jakob moves to 6th Overall after the Queen's stage.
The mountain queen's stage of 180km ended with the hard 4km climb Camins de Penyaglosa and shook the general classification of the race.
Jakob did a strong first race of the season, finishing at 6th place in General classification.
The start of the 2017 season is just around the corner. The world tour will kick off in Australia in a little week and Jakob is currently preparing the upcoming season in Calpe, Spain, where the team has its first camp of the year.
There has been a lot of changes in the team from 2016 to 2017. Not only has the team changed about 1/3 of the riders, but basically also all the material.
Astana pro team and Jakob will in 2017 ride on Argon18 bikes, with Giordana cycling clothes, Limar helmets and Sidi cycling shoes.
Jakob's provisorial race program until the Tour de France has been decided, he will start in Spain with the Vuelta Cyclist Comunidad Valenciana from 1st to 5th of February. The rest of his race program you can find under 'RACE PROGRAM'.
Jakob's main goal for the season 2017 will be the Tour de France where he will be the captain for Astana Pro Team.
This year's Olympic road race took the riders over hard and challenging 240 kilometers trough Brazil. It was a race full of action with well deserved medal winners. " It was a super hard race, i gave it all and took the right decisions with the amazing help of my two team mates Christopher Juul Jensen and Chris Anker Sörensen. And the luck was on my side that day as well. I am super happy and proud for the silver medal for me and my country. " says the Olympic medallist.


Get ready to hide, seek and treat with this Nina Ottosson dog puzzle. The Dog Smart works with your dog to beat boredom and keeps them busy, reducing destructive behaviors. Fun for all dogs regardless of age, size or breed, the Dog Smart is sure to be your furry friend's new favorite!
REAL WOOD LOOK: The Nina Ottosson Dog Smart is made to look like real wood, but its unique composite material has all the benefits of both wood and plastic. It's more durable than wood, easy to clean and will not splinter or snap like wood while your dog plays with it.
TRAIN WITH TREATS: The Nina Ottosson Dog Smart is an entry level dog game that challenges your dog to uncover treats while helping them to develop new learning techniques.
HOLDS YOUR DOG'S FOOD: The Dog Smart is also great for treating and feeding your dog as it holds wet or dry kibble – perfect for mealtime.
LEVEL 1 CHALLENGE: As a Level 1 Dog Game, the Dog Smart is great for introducing your dog to new puzzles and games while preparing them for more exciting and challenging games to come.
HOW TO PLAY: Place treats or kibble in compartments of base. Cover treat compartments with pegs. The more compartments that are covered, the harder the game will be. Let the games begin! Show your dog where the treats are and watch them find the tasty reward! Dogs are smarter than you think. Sometimes we just need to teach them! Leave some compartments uncovered for your dog to gain interest.
EASY TO CLEAN: To wash your dog's Dog Smart, simply remove all treats/kibble and hand wash with warm soapy water, rinse clean and dry. Fill again for more fun!
Size: Diameter 23 cm, height 6 cm. Diameter 9 in, height 2,36 in.
Cass is a great trainer who is knowledgeable in all areas and has useful, practical and realistic advice. I have been particularly impressed at the help given towards each of our specific issues. We are lucky to have found these classes and would recommend as absolutely essential for anyone looking to bring a new dog into the family.
I can honestly say that Cassie and her team at Fur Get Me Not are the best, we went to other training schools and Cassie is a stand out. My dog has anxiety, so not only is Cassie great for general manners, she is also an accomplished behaviourist, who understands dog anxiety (and owners) when my dog was displaying obnoxious social behaviours such as barking and attention seeking.
Cassandra was wonderful with my puppy Billy! I have been to other schools in Brisbane and they do not compare! So fun and positive and I learnt so much! A nice small class in aircon! So we got plenty of individual attention. Thank you!
Highly recommend Fur Get Me Not. My puppy Murphy just completed his Puppy Preschool and will definitely be continuing with puppy school here. I have received so much support and guidance on how to train Murphy whilst giving him the opportunity to interact and play with all sorts of other dog breeds. I have had dogs my whole life and thought i was pretty knowledgeable but i have learnt so much from Cassandra. I also recommend there puppy play dates where you get further advice and support.
Fur Get Me Not basic manners class has changed my life, my dog is a completely different dog. You can notice a difference after just a week. Defiantly recommend and will continue to use Cassandra and her team for any further training for my dog.
I honestly couldn't thank Cassandra enough for how she has helped Bow over come his fears as a pup of other dogs! He was extremely nervous and shy the first time we went to puppy pre-school and now after the third time he is a totally different dog. He knows his basic commands, comes to his name, and doesn't bark at other dogs. Definitely give Cassandra a call if you're interested in puppy school, definitely one of the best!!!!! Highly recommend.
Cassandra is an excellent teacher - incredibly patient and well-explained. She adapts well to situations where normal training methods may not be having the desired effects. I highly recommend her services! Her explanations and demonstrations of how our human behaviour influences and teaches the dogs is both enlightening and incredibly useful.
I asked Cassie to help with my dog's fear of other dogs and she came to the rescue. An hour and a half later, with her gentle and caring approach, both he and I were feeling much better - she left us with the tools to address the problem and her follow-up support has been amazing. I highly recommend her services.
Fantastic service. Kept us updated on everything our puppy was up to while we were out of town. Loved getting the photos through as my pup always looked like he was having so much fun. Will be using this service again!
Everyone at Fur Get Me Not are amazing. They are so friendly and helpful. Kai now sits when requested,and comes when called (unless there is something super interesting like a bird). They not.only walk your dog they do a little bit of training, games and interesting and fun things for your dog to do. Kai could hear Kellie get out of her car and he would be so excited to see her it would take him a few minutes to calm down. I would absolutely recommend this service to anyone who has a dog!
I am so impressed by Fur get me not's professionalism, they don't just walk your dog, they consider what enjoyment they can deliver to them. The map that tracks their walk and the location of where they take photos that they provide is amazing. I have recently had an operation and can't walk my dog, she is only young and I was worried that all the training that I have done with her would be forgotten but this is a such a brilliant alternative as fur get me not will continue with reminding her of her manners and practise loose leash walking . Well done Fur Get Me Not !!
The owner is incredibly trustworthy. She has a genuine love for dogs and how their well-being is maintained.
Cassie has such a beautiful soul. She has a genuine love and passion for animals and their welfare. Cassie has the biggest, kindest and caring heart which really resonates in her work. She is easy to talk to, get along with and has a knack for putting you at ease!
Does Your Dog Trainer Use Positive Dog Training Methods?
Is walking a reactive dog in their best interest?


text:
Home » Net farm income seen falling to lowest level since 2006
News Food Rural Campaign 2020
Net farm income seen falling to lowest level since 2006
02/07/18 4:59 PM By Simon Schuster
KEYWORDS carrie litkowski Economic Research Service ERS John Newton net farm income usda
Net farm income for 2018 is projected to hit the lowest level since 2006, according to a report released today from the USDA's Economic Research Service.
The 6.7 percent drop from the latest 2017 forecast, from $63.8 billion to $59.5 billion, is due largely to a $3.5 billion increase in production costs and a $2.1 billion decrease in government payments.
Net income reached a record $123.8 billion in 2013, before experiencing a sharp decline and is now forecast to be less than half that figure. Carrie Litkowski, senior economist with ERS, says the numbers now appear to be stabilizing.
"It does, to me, look like a flattening so far," she said during a webcast following the report's release.
The projected 12-year low comes as Congress begins debate on a new five-year farm bill and may provide commodity groups with new evidence for a strengthened safety net. The report predicts year-over-year declines in most commodities, with soybeans the sole crop where increased cash receipts are expected. Still, income from soybeans is projected to decline, despite increased production.
"Cash receipts for all commodities are forecast to fall (in nominal dollars) $2.0 billion (0.5 percent) in 2018 to $363.1 billion. Relatively small annual declines are predicted for both animal/animal product (0.3 percent) and crop (0.8 percent) receipts," the report said.
"Forecast declines in receipts for milk and poultry/eggs are expected to more than offset a forecast increase in meat animal receipts. A forecast $1.7-billion (4.5 percent) increase in soybean receipts will be more than offset by expected declines in receipts for wheat, corn, cotton, fruits/nuts, and vegetables/melons."
Net income from dairy, after an increase in 2017, is expected to return to more normal levels due to lower milk prices. This is expected to hit the Northern Crescent region – from Maine to Minnesota – particularly hard with a 12.4 percent decrease forecast in net cash income.
Net cash farm income forecast to drop 9% in 2020
USDA increases net farm income projections for next decade
USDA sees another big drop in farm income for 2018
John Newton, director of market intelligence for the American Farm Bureau Federation, agreed with Litkowski's analysis, saying income levels "certainly seem to be stabilizing to the level prior to 2009 and 2010."
Median farm income, projected as a loss of $1,318 in 2018, represents some of the stagnation the sector has experienced. Total household income is forecast to rise slightly --but from off-farm income.
"We're seeing some negative pressure on prices, especially in grains and the dairy sector," Newton said. "Unfortunately, that means for many farmers their revenue is not exceeding their cost of production."
The 1 percent projected rise in the costs of production is due mainly to increases in fuel prices, interest expenses and labor costs. Feed and seed expenses, however, will continue to decline, the report says.
This, Newton says, illustrates the need for a new farm bill that will assist financially imperiled farmers. "Folks have burned through equity in recent years," he said, though the ERS has drawn the opposite conclusion.
"While some farmers may be struggling financially, (debt-to-equity) ratios remains historically low and suggest the likelihood of default within the sector remains low," Litkowski said.
An 18.6 percent drop in government payments, primarily through Price-Loss Coverage and Agricultural Risk Coverage, also contributes to the loss in income. Indemnities are projected to increase $3.8 billion in 2018, "reflecting a return to more normal or average weather," Litkowski said.