Over the past several months, outside influences on the cotton industry have felt like the Dahlonega Mine Train at Six Flags Over Georgia: ups, downs, dramatic twists, and lots of bumps along the way. Producers have seen proposed policies fail, others be implemented, a significant market uptick, one of the US’s largest overseas markets be closed then open again, and …
More Cattle Soon Coming Out Of Feedlots
USDA’s latest Cattle on feed report indicates the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. was 11.6 million head on May 1, 2018, 5 percent above May 1, 2017. This is the second highest May 1 inventory since the series began in 1996. Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.70 million head, 8 …
New Hours of Service Bill in U.S. Senate
Last week, a new bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate that basically reforms federal Hours of Service (HOS) rules in a way that ensures animal welfare, highway safety and the well-being of livestock haulers. The Transporting Livestock Across America Safely (TLAAS) Act was introduced by 10 senators. Allison Rivera, executive director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association …
Tough Road for Farm Bill
After the U.S House defeated their version of the 2018 Farm Bill, some feel it may be a tough road ahead to get a new bill passed before the current one expires. Tyron Spearman has the story. Tough Road for Farm Bill Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Conaway on Farm Bill
Many in agriculture are looking forward to June 22. That is when the House will vote again on the 2018 farm bill. It is scheduled to take place after a separate vote on a conservative immigration bill, an issue that helped lead to the defeat of the House version of the farm bill the first time. House Ag Committee Chair …
Reasons to Plant Flowers alongside Vegetables
You have a good vegetable garden. Now you can make it a great vegetable garden. Cathy Isom has tips why you should plant flowers alongside vegetables. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Reasons to Plant Flowers alongside Vegetables If you’ve never done it before, why not plant flowers alongside the vegetables in your garden? They have a remarkable …
Ross Heading to China June 2-4
U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will be in China June 2-4 for another round of talks amid trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Reuters says The trade dispute got a little more complicated this week when President Donald Trump announced a national security investigation into imports of cars and trucks. The probe could possibly result in tariffs against …
Grassley-Conaway Subsidy Feud Escalates
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley had some harsh words for House Ag Committee Chair Mike Conaway of Texas. The Grassley response came as Conaway said Grassley is wrong “every single time” when he complains about loopholes in the process by which USDA makes subsidy payments to farmers. Earlier this week, Grassley had said he would use the Senate farm bill to …
OTA: Higher Organic Standards Up to Industry
The USDA recently withdrew its organic livestock and checkoff rules, which signals that the agency likely won’t be setting any higher standards for the organic seal. Laura Batcha, CEO of the Organic Trade Association, says it’s up to the industry to take over from here. At the OTA annual policy conference, she said USDA has gone as far as it’s …
Brazil Truck Drivers Quit Working Because of High Diesel Prices
Brazilian truck drivers were protesting high diesel prices for a fourth day this week on Thursday. The truckers don’t plan to quit with blockades until measures to reduce fuel taxes are enshrined in the official gazette. Protests have been crippling highways across the nation. Brazil’s lower house of Congress voted to reduce taxes on diesel. The Senate has yet to …