cotton

U.S. House Does Not Pass Disaster-Relief Package

Dan Economy, Legislative

It was over 7½ months ago that the Category 5 Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle before moving through parts of Alabama and Georgia. On Thursday, the U.S. Senate finally passed a $19.1 billion disaster relief package in an 85-8 vote, which would provide disaster-aid funding to various parts of the U.S. not only because of hurricanes, but …

Alabama Agribusiness Council

Alabama Lawmakers Nearing End of Session

Dan Alabama, Legislative

With Alabama lawmakers working to wrap up the 2019 legislative session, efforts on the budget took place this week. Leigha Cauthen, executive director of the Alabama Agribusiness Council, has an update on the budget and on a bill of interest to rural Alabama. The Alabama Agribusiness Council provides an interactive bill tracker with links to bill text, sponsor information and …

north

After Tariffs are Removed, What’s Next for USMCA?

Dan Exports/Imports, Legislative, Trade

The tariffs on Canadian and Mexican steel and aluminum imports are history, removing a key barrier to ratifying the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). However, Democrats are still not close to giving full support to the Trump Administration’s biggest trade victory. Agri-Pulse says Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says, “There are still many other issues that are outstanding before Democrats would …

timber

Nikki Fried Urges Immediate Action by U.S. Senate on Disaster Relief

Dan Economy, Field Crops, Florida, Forestry, Industry News Release, Legislative, Livestock

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried urged the U.S. Senate to take immediate action on long-overdue Hurricane Michael relief. With both chambers set to adjourn on Friday until June 3, Fried asked senators to send a bipartisan disaster assistance package to the President’s desk before the end of the week. The U.S. House passed a bipartisan disaster bill on May 10. …

soil surveys

NRCS Announces Changes to Strengthen Technical Input

Dan Farm Bill, Technology, USDA-NRCS

Last week, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced they are expanding the technical input in program development and technical services in their program delivery. The 2018 Farm Bill made several changes expanding the membership on the State Technical Committee and expanding the avenues through which technical service providers can be certified. Other changes include the administration of the, Watershed Protection and …

Florida legislative session

Is Florida Agriculture Under Attack by State Political Leaders?

Dan Editorial, Florida, Legislative, Water

by Gary Cooper As Florida lawmakers return home from a frustrating legislative session for Florida’s agriculture industry, the state’s farmers and ranchers wonder where they stand in a political environment that is much different than years past. Florida’s population continues to grow with about 1,000 new residents daily, with no end in sight. The negative environmental impacts from this historic …