Dairy Farmers – Industry to Congress: Help Us by Passing USMCA

The U.S. dairy industry is urging Congress to quickly ratify the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with an outreach campaign highlighting the importance of the agreement to the success of America’s dairy farmers and manufacturers. In a letter sent to representatives of top-producing dairy states, the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) …

April Beef, Pork Exports Below 2018 Levels

April exports of U.S. beef and pork were lower than in 2018, while U.S. lamb exports continued to trend higher. The numbers come from data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Beef exports totaled just over 105 metric tons in April, five percent lower year-over-year, although the export value was down just slightly to $674.2 …

Animal Activist Groups Target Tyson Again Over Contract Growers

The activist group Mercy for Animals is going after Tyson Foods again, but this time it’s not about the chickens. It’s in regards to Tyson’s treatment of its contract growers. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says Mercy for Animals is launching a four-billboard campaign in northern Georgia seeking anonymous reports from contract farmers about Tyson Foods. The relationship between growers and the …

Senator David Perdue Holds Disaster Relief Roundtable With Georgia Farmers

Joins Secretary Perdue, Governor Kemp & More Than 150 Farmers & Agriculture Industry Leaders To Discuss Next Steps U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) joined U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, U.S. Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02) and Austin Scott (R-GA-08), and more than 150 farmers for a roundtable at Davis Family Farms …

FDACS Update on Florida Hemp Plan

While awaiting the Governor’s signature on the state hemp program that was passed by the Legislature earlier this spring, Florida Agriculture Department officials are moving forward with the rule development process and other plans toward implementing the program. This recent video from the Department features Florida’s Director of Cannabis Holly Bell with an update on the hemp program and the …

National Peanut Board Wins Grower Support With 93% Approval in Referendum

Peanut producers voted overwhelmingly to continue the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Program, administered by the National Peanut Board (NPB), in a referendum conducted by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from April 15 through May 3, 2019. Ninety-three percent of those who voted said “yes” to continuing NPB’s research, marketing and promotion program. In order for the continuance …

Legislative Leaders Meet on USMCA and Disaster Relief

It was a busy Friday in the Southeast for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue as he and other legislative leaders sat down with representatives from Florida and Georgia agriculture on June 7. The day started with a meeting in Tallahassee, Florida, followed by a meeting in Doerun, Georgia. The main topics of discussion were the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and …