Ag Exports, Trade Surplus, See Increases

Data from the Department of Agriculture shows exports of farm goods will push higher in 2017. A forecast compiled by USDA predicts the value of agricultural exports in the fiscal year 2017 will hit nearly $140 billion, up $10 billion from the fiscal year 2016. With stronger exports and modest import increases in 2017, the U.S. will have an agricultural …

Lighthizer: NAFTA Negotiation at Warp Speed, May Not Be Successful

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said this week that negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement are moving at “warp speed,” but may lead to no agreement. Lighthizer said: “we don’t know whether we’re going to get to a conclusion. That’s the problem. We’re running very quickly somewhere.” Lighthizer says the U.S. would like to reach an agreement and …

Agri View: WOTUS What?

Everett Griner talks about why the clean water act (WOTUS) is being repealed in today’s Agri View.       Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, …

Perdue Comments on Censky and McKinney Senate Committee Hearing

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue gave high marks to Steve Censky and Ted McKinney for their joint appearance before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.  President Donald Trump has nominated Censky to service as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, while McKinney is the president’s choice to be the very first Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.  …

USDA Makes Disaster Resources Available to Rural Development Borrowers

The United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development is providing tools and resources to help rural communities recover from the devastation brought by hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue highlighted. The emergency procedures will provide additional flexibility for Rural Development borrowers and community partners to help them recover as quickly as possible and ensure they have what they …

Cracker Cattle Could Get State Designation

Florida cracker cattle would be named the state “heritage cattle breed,” under a proposal filed this week by Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta. Cracker cattle are descended from Spanish cattle brought to North America in the 16th Century. The proposal (HB 155) is filed for consideration during the 2018 legislative session and, if approved, would place the breed alongside horse conchs, …

Peanut Crop Update

With harvest underway in some areas, Tyron Spearman has a look at this week’s peanut crop update.       Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, …

Irma Hits Cotton in Southeast, Especially in Georgia

After looking at Hurricane Irma’s impact to crops across the Southeast, it is being noted that the storm is going to have a negative impact on cotton. And according to a story from Stephanie Ho, that is especially true in Georgia.     Image: Cotton got hit pretty hard by Hurricane Irma at Watson Farms in Moultrie, GA./Courtesy Sec. Sonny Perdue? @SecretarySonny  Sep 15. …