Low Education Rural Counties Worse Off than Higher Education Rural Counties

New data announced by the Department of Agriculture shows that rural counties with low education levels have worse economic outcomes than other rural counties. USDA’s Economic Research Service classifies 467 counties as “low education” counties, where at least 20 percent of working-age adults, ages 25 to 64, do not have a high school diploma or equivalent. Nearly 80 percent of …

Stabenow Concerned with Monument Review

The top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee says she is “deeply concerned” with the Trump administration review of national monuments. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke submitted findings to the White House last week as part of a review of 27 national monuments, which includes thousands of acres of U.S. Forest Service land, managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The …

GAO Recommends Lowering Crop Insurance Expected Rate of Return

The Government Accountability Office is recommending that Congress considers directing the Department of Agriculture to adjust the expected rate of return for crop insurance. In 2010, USDA negotiated a set rate of return with crop insurance providers. The return is how much companies can profit from insurance policies. In a report released last week, the GAO found that the expected …

NAFTA Nations Sign Non-Disclosure Agreement

The U.S., Canada, and Mexico signed non-disclosure agreements before negotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement got underway. Officials from Mexico last week confirmed the non-disclosure agreements to Reuters, which reports that the first round of talks this month concluded with signs of deep division on key issues. Per the non-disclosure agreements, each government is barred from distributing texts, …

Agri View: Costly Disaster Year

Everett Griner talks about 2017 being a costly disaster year in today’s Agri View.       You know it seems the western half of this country has been burning or flooding all year. I have not seen any official count on how many fires there have been. But, one must look at amazement at what they have cost. The …

Weekly Livestock Market Report

Here are the Alabama and Georgia livestock market reports for the week ending August 25th, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for both states.   AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week ended August 25, 2017, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 12,500 head compared to 16,177 last week and 12,540 a year ago. …

Online Food Allergy Resource Center

The National Peanut Board has partnered with the School Nutrition Association to develop a free, online Food Allergy Resource Center, which offers solutions for effective management of food allergens. Tyron Spearman has the story. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune …

New Food Labeling Regulation in Development by USDA Should Not Disparage Biotechnology, Mislead Consumers

As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prepares to develop a regulatory standard for the labeling of bioengineered food ingredients, it must ensure that consumers receive clear, accurate information about the foods they eat, according to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). In comments filed with USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service, NMPF said it supports a strict, science-based approach in determining how foods …

American Farm Bureau Asking Farmers to Share Their Story

Lawmakers need to hear about the challenges that farmers face so they can push for solutions that will help everyone in agriculture. If you’ve been affected by tax issues, an out-of-control regulatory system, water issues or other problems that have made it difficult or impossible to continue to run your farm or ranch, American Farm Bureau Federation wants to hear from …