The Senate tax bill passed over the weekend does not include a deduction that farm cooperatives lobbied to keep in the tax reform package. The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) says the Domestic Production Activities Deduction, also known as the Section 199 deduction, means farmers may end up paying more taxes. Chuck Conner, NCFC CEO, previously said that Section …
Korea Submitting Plan to Renegotiate KORUS
South Korea trade officials announced Monday the government will submit a plan to renegotiate the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) to the nation’s National Assembly government body. South Korea’s Trade Minister met with officials from 20 ministries and government regarding KORUS, and the plans to renegotiate the trade agreement. A senior trade official told the Korea Herald newspaper: “We hope …
Agri View: Pecan Nut Problem
Everett Griner talks about the pecan weevil in today’s Agri View. Everett checks out the exploding population of the pecan weevil, and the damage being caused. Growers have two choices, and Everett tells us what these choices are. Pecan Nut Problem Image: Pecan Weevil/Clemson University Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, …
House/Senate Negotiating Differences in Tax Bill
House and Senate tax writers are moving quickly to negotiate differences between their two chambers’ bills, with one of the most sensitive, a tax break for ag and other small businesses. Among the biggest and most politically-sensitive differences between the two tax bills is the treatment of so-called “pass-through” businesses — a huge number in agriculture — that file returns …
USDA Delays the Puerto Rico Census of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is delaying the Puerto Rico Census of Agriculture until December 2018 due to conditions caused by Hurricane Maria. NASS had planned to collect data in Puerto Rico along with the rest of the United States beginning in December 2017. A delay of the Puerto Rico Census of Agriculture is …
Busy Week Ahead for Congress
It will be a busy week in Congress with two big issues that will be addressed. Mary Kay Thatcher, senior director of congressional relations with the American Farm Bureau Federation spoke to Kansas Farm Bureau members at their annual meeting in Manhattan Monday morning. We’ll learn soon the conferees for the conference committee that will try and put the House …
Hog Market Supported by Demand
Hog markets were under considerable pressure in September and October, but there has been improvement in recent weeks. Steve Meyer, who is with EMI Analytics, offers his take on this market. Market Meyer says demand has held up during the fourth quarter. Demand Hog slaughter has been over 2.5 million head per week. Meyer will have more on that part …
USDA Offering Loans Targeted at Underserved Groups, Beginning Farmers
The Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is reminding the ag community of operating and farm ownership loans and installment loans for bad credit to underserved and beginning farmers. For decades now, the FSA has set aside funds, earmarked for these two specific groups. Houston Bruck of the Washington State FSA says not only do these loans help new farmers …
Few Senators Mention Agriculture in Tax Bill Debate
The Senate-passed tax bill that the House must now either accept or reconcile with its own, would have a big-impact on agriculture. Yet, few Senators even mentioned agriculture in the days-long debate leading up to the early-morning Saturday vote. Agriculture was largely ignored in the marathon debate on the GOP Senate tax bill, that passed 51 to 49 with just …
2016 Peanut Crop Redeemed
The 2016 peanut crop is gone, as Tyron Spearman reports what was left has been redeemed. He also has an update on marketing numbers for the 2017 crop. 2016 Peanut Crop Redeemed Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant …