The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing on its Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations August first. The hearing, to be held in Washington, D.C., will take public comment on the 2018 renewable volume obligations, along with the 2019 RVO for biomass-based diesel, according to Ethanol Producer magazine. The agency released a prepublication version of the proposed rule …
Current Farm Downturn Not Likely to Reach 1980’s Crisis
A report by a Farm Credit Administration economist told the Administration’s board members last week that the current downturn in the farm economy is not likely to reach a 1980s-style crisis. Farm Credit chief economist Stephen Gabriel said the “likelihood of this is very low,” adding that a confluence of adverse factors led to the crisis that occurred in the …
Ag Groups, Perdue Applaud Censky Nomination
Agriculture groups, along with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue applauded President Donald Trump’s nomination of Steve Censky as Deputy Agriculture Secretary. The nomination was rumored for months. The White House described Censky as a Missourian since he has lived for many years in the suburbs of St. Louis where ASA is headquartered, but Censky grew up on a soybean, corn and …
Agri View: Getting Food to the Needy
Everett Griner talks about problems getting the food from the farm to the needy in today’s Agri View. Now, just to be sure you know, there is no food shortage in America. The problem is getting it from the farm to the families who need it. That is the part farmers can’t do. The problem is not restricted to …
Brazil to Address U.S. Beef Ban During Visit
Brazil’s minister of agriculture will meet with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Monday in an attempt to resume fresh beef exports to the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture halted beef imports from Brazil last month because of recurring concerns about the safety of the products. Brazil is hopeful the U.S. will lift the ban, as the Brazilian government …
Urban Agriculture Conservation Grants Awarded
The National Association of Conservation Districts, in partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, has awarded $1 million in grants to 19 conservation districts in 14 states to boost technical assistance capacity for urban agriculture and conservation projects. “Our work as conservationists has evolved since the Dust Bowl when many of our nation’s 3,000 conservation districts were first established,” NACD …
Senate Agriculture Committee Members Visit Alabama Farms
Autauga County farmer Harold Gaines stood with his sons Dan and Levi as he told leaders of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee his priority for the 2018 farm bill Saturday morning. “I want to be able to pass on this farm to the next generation and for them to be successful,” Gaines said as Sens. Luther Strange, R-Alabama, and Pat …
Florida Rep. Roth Recaps his First Year
Rick Roth, West Palm Beach native and vegetable farmer, has completed his first year in the Florida Legislature serving the 85th district. He discusses his first year as a representative and his plans for his second year serving Florida. Roth says he found the legislative process to be very exciting. “It was an information party,” he says. As a vegetable …
Weekly Livestock Market Report
Here are the Alabama and Georgia livestock market reports for the week ending July 14th, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for both states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week ended July 14, 2017, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 12,300 head compared to 13,411 a year ago. There were no sales …
Hydroponics to Improve Yield, Minimize Water Use
Hydroponic growing systems are a means for growers to potentially improve yield, says Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni, an assistant professor at the Citrus Research and Education Center at the University of Florida. These systems are a way for farmers to grow crops without soil by using water and a nutrient solution. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Alternative Farming Systems Information Center …