NAFTA Talks Reach Standstill

Agriculture and other contentious issues proposed by the U.S. during round four of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks have stalled the renegotiation effort. The U.S., Canada, and Mexico have now agreed to extend the talks into 2018, failing to meet the Trump Administration’s goal to conclude the talks by the end of this year. The move comes …

Agri View: Electronic Technology

Everett Griner talks about electronic technology and farm computer use rising in today’s Agri View.       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 Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026

Blairsville, GA Farmers Produce State Record Pumpkin

Tim Grizzle and Patrick Fix (pictured at right) of Blairsville, Georgia recently harvested the current Georgia state record pumpkin. The giant gourd weighed in at 1306 pounds, a state record according to The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth. The pumpkin, currently on display at the Union County Farmers Market, will remain there until the end of October. by Larry Flegle, WUCG-FM, Blairsville, …

Trump Directs EPA to Back Away from RFS Proposals

Bloomberg reports the White House has told the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stand down on proposals that biofuels advocates say threaten the Renewable Fuel Standard. The news comes after Iowa Republican Governor Kim Reynolds spoke with President Trump Wednesday morning over the phone before a planned meeting between the two next week. Reynolds said she made the case for …

NMPF Comments on Round 4 of NAFTA Negotiations

“We are pleased that U.S. trade negotiators have told Canada that its problematic dairy policies must be addressed in the negotiations over the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). “The proposal advanced by the U.S. Trade Representative is the right approach to move dairy trade between our two countries closer to the free trade relationship that exists for most other …

Pork Checkoff Adjusts Digital Strategy; Announces Partnership With Yummly, Part II

The Pork Checkoff has partnered with the website and mobile app called Yummly. National Pork Board vice president of domestic marketing Jarrod Sutton says digital opportunities like this put pork recipes in front of today’s consumer. There are also opportunities to educate consumers about cooking temps and other quality characteristics. Thirdly, consumers want a consistent, high-quality product. Those messages will …

Perdue Talks About Successful European Trip

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue toured Europe, speaking with officials from several different countries about a variety of issues, including trade. After stops in the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain, Perdue said the trip has been very productive.   The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would be withdrawing the interim final rule under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards …

USDA Helps Small Businesses Develop New Agricultural Products, Technology

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced grants to help bring agricultural business ideas from the drawing board to the marketplace. Funding is made through NIFA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program. “For small agricultural businesses, the federal government is a key, initial investor to help them get great ideas into the marketplace,” said …

Soil Moisture Sensors Help Suwannee Valley Growers Manage Irrigation

Soil Moisture Sensors (or SMS) are a precision agriculture technology on the rise in North Florida. Using electronic sensors at various depths, moisture readings are taken continuously throughout the day. By using this technology, growers are now able to “see underground” and at a distance through cell phone transmission of data. UF/IFAS Extension, as part of the land grant system, …

AFBF Backs Timely Reg Review of Food Production Tools

Coordinated federal review of advances in agricultural biotechnology will help America’s farmers and ranchers achieve gains in efficiency and productivity needed to meet the continued challenges of the 21st century, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “American agriculture must stay on the cutting edge of technology,” Duvall said. “Agency collaboration and efficient government review of new food …