This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture posted the requirements for exporting U.S. beef to China. Joe Schuele talked with U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) senior vice president for trade access, Thad Lively, about the requirements that must be met. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Helps to Support Forage Development and Management PracticesMarch 6, 2026CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, …
Reasons to Mulch Your Garden
Cathy Isom gives you some of the most important reasons why you should mulch your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When it comes to promoting and maintaining healthy soil in our gardens, year after year, it really can’t be done without the magic of mulching. Mulch plays a large role in creating a sustainable …
Agri View: Animal Value
Everett Griner talks about the affect animal rights groups have on us in today’s Agri View. The Barnum & Bailey Circus is no more. Gone forever. Some say the closing was the result was from pressure from animal rights activists. Now children growing up will not likely ever see a lion, elephant, or a tiger. The …
Syngenta, BASF, Seeking to Purchase Bayer’s LibertyLink Business
BASF and Syngenta are among the bidders to purchase Bayer’s LibertyLink business. Bloomberg Business News reports the two companies have submitted bids to buy the LibertyLink business that Bayer is required to sell to get regulatory approval for its $66 billion takeover of Monsanto. Representatives for BASF, Syngenta and Bayer declined to comment to Bloomberg. However, executives of BASF and …
Vilsack Joins Feeding America Board
Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has joined the board of directors of Feeding America, the nation’s largest anti-hunger organization. Feeding America represents 200 food banks across all 50 states in the country and provides food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs. Vilsack became president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council in …
Rural Unemployment Rates Declining
Unemployment rates in rural areas of the nation have been steadily declining since 2010. This trend has been reported by Farm Journal’s AgWeb, noting that both rural and urban unemployment rates have approached pre-recession levels. As of 2016, the overall unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in rural areas and 5.2 percent in urban areas. Before this decline, unemployment rates in …
Opposition Rising Against Perdue Rural Development Pick
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s move to name Anne Hazlett as his assistant on rural development is drawing criticisms. Perdue announced Hazlett as his assistant on rural development this week, replacing the former undersecretary role for rural development. Hazlett has been the chief Republican counsel on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Hazlett will oversee the Rural Utilities Service, the Rural Business Service, …
Mexico Shopping for Non-U.S. Pork
Concerns over the U.S.-led effort to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement has prompted Mexico to consider other options for pork imports. National Hog Farmer magazine reports U.S. pork industry leaders shared that message at last week’s World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. For instance, if the U.S. would abandon NAFTA, Mexico would be poised to place a …
China, U.S., Expected to Sign Dairy Agreement
The United States and China are expected to sign an agreement Thursday to promote U.S. dairy products. Politico reports the two countries are expected to sign a memorandum that will allow further market access for U.S. dairy producers. U.S. Dairy Export Council CEO Tom Vilsack said last week that he has been working for months to reach an agreement between …
Hurricane Season Begins
Federal Program Protects Public Safety While forecasters are predicting an active hurricane season this year, workers are finishing repairs from Hurricane Matthew. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, (NRCS) has provided $1,487,887 for Putnam, Volusia, and Seminole counties to remove debris in canals, ditches, and streams to prevent flooding homes, businesses, roads, and utilities. Another $769,523 will fund stabilizing streambanks in …