It was announced by USDA this week that they are going to take several actions to assist farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation. Specifically, USDA will authorize up to $12 billion in programs, which is in line with the estimated $11 billion impact of the unjustified retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods. And in a story from …
Celebrating National Scotch Day
Cathy Isom gives us a few facts, and tips, about celebrating an iconic beverage that is made from malted barley. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Celebrating National Scotch Day Every year on July 27th, we celebrate an aged whisky distilled from malted barley. Today is National Scotch Day. This particular whisky, first and foremost, must be made …
NAFTA Back in the Spotlight
The Mexican negotiating team is back in Washington to continue the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation after talks among the U.S., Mexico, and Canada stalled two months ago. The Mexican Economy Minister will meet with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer for the first time since the Mexican presidential election on July first to formally restart the talks. A …
Ag Committee Leaders Meet to Discuss Farm Bill
Senate Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts, Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, House Ag Chair Michael Conaway, and Ranking Member Collin Peterson met about the farm bill conference. The meeting took place even though the Senate hasn’t voted to go to conference. The Hagstrom Report says, “The Big Four,” as they’re sometimes called, issued a brief joint statement that didn’t mention any …
USDA Preparing Alternative to WHO Antibiotic Guidelines
USDA officials are reportedly developing an alternative set of guidelines on antibiotic use in animal agriculture, rather than abide by those developed at the World Health Organization. The WHO recommendations first came out last November, proposing to end the use of medically important antibiotics in healthy animals to promote growth and prevent disease. The agency wanted the drugs only used …
Study: Farmers Will Buy Less Crop Insurance if it Costs More
Crop insurance critics have said for a long time that it’s such a vital product that a rise in premium rates will have no impact on farmer participation. A peer-reviewed study says such claims may be convenient for special interest groups hoping to weaken the risk-management tool by making it more expensive. However, those claims aren’t correct. Dr. Josh Woodard …
European Union Agrees to Buy More U.S. Soybeans
President Donald Trump and European Union leaders announced they’ve agreed to work toward “zero tariffs” and “zero subsidies” on a wide range of non-automobile goods. The sides will also work to resolve U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum which are hitting the European markets hard. In a news conference on Wednesday, the President said the EU has agreed to buy …
Agri View: Imported Invasive Disease Problems
Everett Griner talks about invasive disease problems, which have been imported through natural causes, for farmers in today’s Agri View. Imported Invasive Disease Problems I mentioned several times, once just recently, about farm losses from hurricanes or tornadoes that get little public attention. These weather disasters can cause other losses, or problems, for farmers that are seldom made public. For …
It’s All In The Name – Luverne’s Chicken Shack Wins Bama’s Best Fried Chicken Contest
When a restaurant is brave enough to include a particular food in its name, its expected they’ll excel at cooking said food. Case in point: Luverne’s Chicken Shack. The popular poultry purveyor recently won the title of Bama’s Best Fried Chicken through a contest hosted on “Simply Southern TV’s” Facebook page. As winners, Chicken Shack owners Mike and Drew Money …
USDA Invests in Projects to Spur Innovation in Grazing Lands, Organic Systems and Soil Health
USDA will invest more than $10.6 million for 22 new projects that will drive public and private sector innovation in conserving natural resources in 27 states. The competitive Conservation Innovation Grants program helps spur development and adoption of new conservation approaches and technologies. “Through our Conservation Innovation Grants, we are able to bring together a wide array of groups to drive innovation …