U.S. exports of distillers grains (DG) — a high protein co-product of dry mill ethanol production used to feed livestock and poultry — totaled 11.48 million metric tons (MMT) in 2016, down 10 percent from 2015’s record-high but still the second-highest on record, according to a 10-page summary of 2016 ethanol co-product trade data published today by the Renewable Fuels …
New FARM Program Environmental Stewardship Module Helps Measure Improvements in Dairy Sustainability
In its continued effort to share the compelling story of continuous improvement on America’s dairy farms, the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program has opened participation in its third component, FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES). The Environmental Stewardship module joins the FARM Program’s two other pillars, FARM Animal Care and FARM Antibiotic Stewardship. The voluntary FARM Environmental Stewardship program …
Cotton Acres Forecasted to Increase 10 Percent
The Annual Planting Intentions survey by the National Cotton Council estimates U.S. cotton acres will expand near 10 percent in 2017, compared to 2016.
Groups Urge Attorney General to Block Ag Mergers
More than 300 groups signed a letter calling on newly confirmed U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to block the three major seed and chemical mergers being reviewed by the Department of Justice.
Agriculture Committee Facing Confirmation Hearings
The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold 18 confirmation hearings in the coming months for positions in the Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies.
China, New Zealand to Hold Free Trade Talks
China and New Zealand will hold a series of meetings to promote free trade amid growing concerns over U.S. trade protectionism. The Strait Times, a Singapore-based newspaper, reports officials from both China and New Zealand have confirmed the meetings will take place.
Japan Trade Talks Assigned to Pence
President Donald Trump has assigned Vice President Mike Pence to lead economic dialogue with Japan following meetings with Japan’s Prime Minister. Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (Sheen-zoh-ah bay) made no decision regarding bilateral trade negotiations while meeting over the weekend in Florida.
Hungry Americans Benefit from Farm Bureau Donations
The farm and ranch families of Farm Bureau raised more than $1.1 million and donated a record of more than 28.9 million pounds of food to assist hungry Americans in 2016 as part of Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program. Combined, the monetary and food donations also reached a record level of the equivalent of more than 31 million meals.
Kent Fountain Is National Ginner Award Recipient
Distinguished Service Award Goes to Rick Byler Kent Fountain, managing partner of Southeastern Gin and Peanut in Surrency, Ga., and a tireless leader in the National Cotton Ginners Association (NCGA), Southeastern Ginners and National Cotton Council, is the 2016 Horace Hayden National Cotton Ginner of the Year. He received NCGA’s award here today at its 2017 annual meeting. The Ginner …
USDA to Survey Farmers’ Planting Intentions for 2017
What is on the horizon for U.S. farmers in 2017 as they finalize plans for planting this spring? The March Agricultural Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey approximately 84,000 of the nation’s farmers to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season.