USDA slightly reduced its projections for red meat and poultry production in 2018. The forecast is slightly lower than last month, primarily due to a drop in beef production, which will more than offset increased pork and turkey production. The latest World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates Report says broiler production remains unchanged. USDA sees lower cattle slaughter and weights, …
Latest RFS Bill Ignores Ethanol Benefits and Science
Vermont Democratic Representative Pete Welch, along with New Hampshire Democratic Senator Tom Udall, introduced companion legislation into Congress attempting to reform the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). On a press call announcing the legislation Thursday, the lawmakers were joined by Collin O’Mara, President of the National Wildlife Federation, as well as Debbie Sease, Director of the Sierra Club National Campaign. The …
Business, Farm, Union Groups React to Trump’s Tariffs
Reaction to the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports has been mixed among different sectors of the economy. The Hagstrom Report says Business Roundtable President and CEO Joshua Bolten calls the tariffs a major unforced error by President Trump that will put America’s economic progress at risk. He says, “The tariffs will cause significant harm to industries that rely on …
Mexico, Canada Don’t Want Tariff Exemptions Tied to NAFTA
Mexico and Canada were happy to hear about President’s Trump’s willingness to exclude them from tariffs on steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. However, they expect any talks about a possible permanent exemption to take place outside of the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Politico quotes the Mexican Economy Ministry in a release that says, “The process of …
Agri View: Planting by Zodiac Signs
Everett Griner talks about the zodiac signs influence on farming in today’s Agri View. Planting by Zodiac Signs You know agriculture is an industry in constant change. But, there is one change that hardly anyone has noticed. Farmers have quit planting by the signs. Planting by the signs meant by the zodiac signs in the Old Farmer’s Almanac. It listed …
Cap on Conventional Ethanol RINs Will Reduce Biodiesel Market
A new analysis by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and the World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services (WAEES) found that capping the price of conventional biofuels’ Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) will significantly harm the production of biodiesel and related industries. Although some believe that limiting the price of RINs for the conventional biofuels market won’t harm biomass-based diesel volumes, the …
Farmers, Back-to-School Shoppers to Get Tax Breaks
A tax package that provides relief for farmers and property owners impacted by Hurricane Irma, while offering sales-tax breaks at the start of the school year and hurricane season, was approved by the House and Senate in a rare Sunday conclusion to the legislative session. Gov. Rick Scott’s office didn’t indicate Sunday if he would sign the package, which totals …
Weekly Livestock Market Report
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended March 09, 2018, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: AL Livestock Market Report At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the Week ended-March 09, 2018, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 11,300 head compared to …
Lawmakers Funnel $100 Million to Florida Forever
Neglected for nearly a decade, the Florida Forever conservation program would get $100.8 million in a proposed $88.7 billion budget that lawmakers are expected to approve Sunday. Rep. Ben Albritton, a Wauchula Republican who chairs the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, said most of the money would go for land preservation. “We started at a much lower number …
Batts Looking Forward to Leading ACA
The 75th Annual Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Convention and Trade Show is underway at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. The trade show officially opened this afternoon and various topics at the Cattlemen’s College are being discussed. Tomorrow, Jack Batts from Limestone County will take over as ACA president. He told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman he is looking forward to …