Republicans in the House of Representatives have tried for six years to advance a bill requiring Congressional approval for any new administrative rule projected to cost the economy more than $100 million annually.
Crisafulli Won’t Run for Agriculture Commissioner
By Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida Former House Speaker Steve Crisafulli bowed out of a potential race for agriculture commissioner on Tuesday, leaving the 2018 campaign for the Cabinet position without a clear front-runner.
U.S.-Cuba Agricultural Trade Poised for Growth
Opening trade with Cuba presents clear market opportunities for U.S. agriculture. Experts at a workshop at the 2017 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show shared with attendees what normalized trade relations with Cuba could mean for American farmers and ranchers’ bottom lines. Dr. Steven Zahniser, an economist at the Agriculture Department’s Economic Research Service, set the stage by reviewing what …
Food Safety Rules Challenge Farmers on Several Fronts
Equal treatment of domestic and foreign growers, the need for extensive education, training and technical assistance and agricultural water provisions are among farmers’ top concerns as they implement the Food Safety Modernization Act’s produce rules, according to Bob Ehart, senior policy and science advisor with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Ehart spoke to farmers and ranchers from …
Alabama Young Farmers Named National Finalist
Madison County Young Farmers Stewart and Kasey McGill were selected as one of four finalists for the national Achievement Award during the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Meeting Jan. 9 in Phoenix, Arizona. The McGills, who were named Alabama’s Outstanding Young Farm Family in August, said they are humbled by the recognition. “What a huge honor it is for …
APHIS Confirms New World Screwworm in Miami-Dade County, Florida
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) in a stray dog near Homestead, Florida. The dog was isolated and his infested wounds were treated. He is now in good health. Federal and state officials have started active surveillance in the area. This is the …
APHIS Releases Epidemiology Report on New World Screwworm in Florida Keys
APHIS is releasing an epidemiology report outlining its initial findings of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Key deer from the National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key, Florida. APHIS initiated the investigation to determine the origin of the screwworm fly and try to understand how it may have been introduced. Although the investigation did not identify one specific pathway, …
USDA Seeks National Mango Board Nominees
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking membership nominations for six seats on the National Mango Board. Applications for the seats are due Feb. 22, 2017. Selected members will serve three-year terms of office. The board is seeking candidates for the following six seats to replace members whose terms expire Dec. 31, 2017:
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Board Appointments
Appointments have been named to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, the American Egg Board and the National Potato Promotion Board. Information on each of these groups and their appointees is listed below.
Farmers Urge Their Peers to Define ‘Sustainability’ for Themselves
With large corporations like Chipotle and Walmart using the term “sustainable” to get consumers’ attention and grow their market share, farmers and ranchers need to start defining sustainability for themselves experts told participants at the 2017 American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Row crop farmer Katie Heger encouraged farmers and ranchers not to shy away from …