Buyers in China have canceled up to seven ethanol import shipments due to arrive by April, the first sign a likely hike in import duties is threatening to stall demand.
Vilsack’s Week Early Departure Meant to Save Tax Dollars
Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stepped down a week early from his cabinet post to “save taxpayers a few bucks.” Vilsack told Reuters he and his family were taking a trip to Mexico this week and did not want the federal government to pay for a security detail to travel with him.
Conaway Disappointed in Organic Animal Welfare Rule
Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service release of its new organic animal welfare standards.
Funding to Support Agricultural Education at 1890s Land-grant Institutions
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $18.9 million in funding for eligible 1890 land-grant colleges and universities to obtain or improve agricultural and food sciences facilities and equipment. The 1890 Facilities Grant Program helps the eligible institutions educate the future workforce in the food, agricultural and human sciences job sectors. “This funding …
Test Uses Novel Antibodies to Detect Shiga Toxins
By Sandra Avant, Agricultural Research Service U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have developed a highly sensitive test that for the first time is able to detect all known Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, STEC bacteria are responsible for more than 265,000 cases of illness and 3,600 hospitalizations each year in the …
USDA Strengthens Integrity of the Organic Label
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced a final rule that strengthens the integrity of the organic label by clarifying production requirements for organic livestock and poultry. The final rule establishes a level playing field for organic producers, bolsters consumer confidence in the organic label, and ensures that all organic animals live in pasture-based systems utilizing …
Another ‘Midnight’ Regulation Dumped On Farmers
In another poke in the eye to agriculture, the Obama administration tomorrow will issue a regulation that adds animal welfare standards to the nation’s organic food production law. The National Pork Producers Council will work with the Trump administration and Congress to repeal yet another “midnight” regulation.
Bayer Promising Billions in Research, Jobs in Merger with Monsanto
Bayer AG has promised U.S. President-elect Donald Trump the Bayer-Monsanto merger will bring billions of dollars in research and development spending in the U.S. and make a significant commitment to creating jobs.
Ag Secretary Pick Expected Soon
The incoming Donald Trump administration is expected to fill its final cabinet seat possibly before Inauguration Day. Interviews are ongoing as of Tuesday, according to those close to the process.
Alabama Wary About Florida-Georgia Water Talks
From: News Service of Florida As Florida and Georgia try to settle a complicated water-use dispute this month, Alabama has filed a letter saying it may need to intervene if its water resources are impacted.