The National Farmers Union announced Anne Steckel will lead the organization’s push for biofuels. Steckel, the former vice president of federal affairs at the National Biodiesel Board, is principal and founder of Ardent Strategies, LLC. The National Farmers Union says the U.S. must implement federal-level policies that encourage expanded markets for biofuels and remove regulatory barriers that inhibit their growth. …
South Korea Says No to KORUS Talks
Government Officials in South Korea say the U.S. and Korea have not reached an agreement on possible revisions to the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement, known as KORUS. A South Korea news agency reports that the nation’s top negotiator said there were differences between the U.S. and South Korea regarding the trade deal, but declined to elaborate. A meeting this week between …
Trump NAFTA Comments Worrisome to Agriculture
President Donald Trump told a crowd in Arizona earlier this week regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement talks that “I don’t think we can make a deal,” putting billions of dollars of agricultural exports in jeopardy. However, Reuters says Mexico and Canada dismissed Trump’s threat, describing it as a negotiating tactic designed to gain an advantage during the negotiation …
Agri View: Costly and Abused Help
Everett Griner talks about a government program that is costly and abused in today’s Agri View. I suppose every community in America has its own program to help feed the low income and other families that are nutritionally at risk. The USDA has WIC. That is Woman, Infants, and Children. It is one of the costliest programs administered by …
RFA, USGC, Growth Energy Statement On Brazil Decision To Impose U.S. Ethanol Import Tariff
Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply Blairo Maggi tweeted that CAMEX, Brazil’s Chamber of Foreign Trade, has approved a recommendation to impose a 20 percent tariff on U.S. ethanol imports after a 600 million liter tariff rate quota. Local media are reporting this TRQ would be in place for the following two years, stymying access to a large and …
2017 Peanut Guidelines
Information concerning the peanut guidelines for 2017 is out, and Tyron Spearman has the details. 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, 2026
USDA Seeks Public Input on Updates to Animal Welfare Act Licensing Requirements
Announcement During Week of 51st Anniversary of Law Protecting Animals in Research & Exhibition Marking the 51st anniversary of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue asked for input from the public to help determine potential updates to the law’s licensing requirements. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), …
Senator Seeks Money for Springs, St. Johns River
The chairman of the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee filed a proposal this week that would funnel tens of millions of dollars to protecting natural springs and restoring the St. Johns River. Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, filed the proposal (SB 204) for consideration during the 2018 legislative session, which starts in January. Under the proposal, the state would …
New UF/IFAS Program Teaches Veterans About Agribusiness
After retiring from a 28-year-career in the U.S. Air Force, Mike Burrell thought about what he could pass down to the next generation. He considered starting his own small business and he looked into law school, but his post-9/11 GI Bill would not cover the latter. “With these things in mind, I was thinking about purchasing several acres of land …
Congress to Work on Budget
Congress returns next month and immediately faces huge spending and debt ceiling challenges, before other politically important measures like tax reform and the farm bill. Trouble is, the fiscal year ends September 30th, leaving little time to pass the spending bills, which reject big cuts proposed by the president in both the House and Senate. Thus, Congress is expected to …