alabama peanut

Farmers Support Proposed Revisions to Peanut Quality Standards

Dan Alabama, Industry News Release, Peanuts

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) supports a recommendation from the Peanut Standards Board to revise the minimum quality and handling standards for domestic and imported peanuts marketed in the U.S. The proposed rule, issued May 25 in the Federal Register, would relax the allowance for damaged kernels in farmers’ stock peanuts when sorting and determining segregation. The Peanut Standards …

American sweetgum tree

UF Scientists Prepare for Devastating Pest in China Before it Makes its Way to U.S.

Dan Forestry, Industry News Release

A previously unrecognized pest is making a name for itself devastating American sweetgum trees in China. Now, University of Florida researchers fear the insect will make its way to the United States and devastate its sweetgum trees. The bug was so obscure it recently had no scientific name until researchers realized it was responsible for the death of thousands of …

farm equipment

Farm Machinery Markets Beginning to Stabilize

Dan Industry News Release

A DTN article says signs are showing that the farm machinery industry is starting to stabilize after prices had been free falling for some time. “We are seeing signs that after several years of steep declines, key agricultural markets may be stabilizing,” says Samuel Allen, John Deere Chairman, and CEO. That doesn’t mean farmers have started to replace the equipment …

Chinese trade practices

China Issues “Wish List” for U.S. Trade

Dan Industry News Release, Trade

China has issued a list of concessions that it says can help deliver a “win-win” trade relationship with America. The list is part of an 117-page document released Thursday by the Ministry of Commerce. China would like to improve infrastructure cooperation with the U.S. and accept greater imports of goods ranging from soybeans to aircraft. The report acknowledges the Trump …

livestock producers

USDA Revises Angus Certification Requirements

Dan Cattle, Industry News Release

The USDA Ag Marketing Service announced this week that it’s revising the live animal specification used for all Angus Certification Programs. The goal is to reflect changes in cattle genetics and marketing, with the proposals to take effect on July 1. A Meating Place Dot Com article says the revised specifications for phenotypic evaluations require that cattle have a main …

oklahoma

Oklahoma Beef Council Embezzler Pleads Guilty

Dan Beef, Industry News Release

Former Oklahoma Beef Council employee Melissa Mortenson pled guilty this week to embezzling $2.6 million from the beef checkoff over the course of seven years. She now awaits sentencing from the court. The Beef Council Board of Directors says this is a significant step towards bringing the criminal matter to a conclusion. “We are indebted to federal investigators for the …

food safety

Senate Passes Bill to Address Potential Agroterrorism

Dan Industry News Release

The U.S. Senate passed legislation designed to address the potential threat of agroterrorism and keep the American food supply safe. Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts co-sponsored the legislation in the Senate and says an attack on the nation’s food supply would cause irreparable damage. “This legislation reaffirms the important role for the Department of Homeland Security in preventing agro-terrorism,” Roberts …

farm bill program

Roberts/Stabenow: No More Cuts to Agriculture

Dan Industry News Release

The Senate Ag Committee heard testimony this week from several economists on the challenges that currently exist in farm country. The Hagstrom Report says Republican Ag Chair Pat Roberts of Kansas and Ranking Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan both came to the same conclusion: no more cuts for farm bill programs. At what he described as the first farm bill …

USDA Designates Eight Counties in Florida as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Dan Drought, Florida, Industry News Release

In response to a request from Debby Folsom, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Acting State Executive Director in Florida, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated eight counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. Those counties are: Brevard Hillsborough Manatee Seminole Collier Lake Sarasota Sumter Farmers and ranchers in …

Glynn County

USDA Designates Glynn County in Georgia as a Primary Natural Disaster Area

Dan Drought, Georgia, Industry News Release

In response to a request from Dianne Westmoreland, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Acting State Executive Director in Georgia, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Glynn County in Georgia as a primary natural disaster area due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in Brantley, Camden, McIntosh and Wayne counties in Georgia also qualify …