A statement from U.S. Grains Council (USGC) President and CEO Tom Sleight: “We are pleased to hear that U.S. and Mexican negotiators have reached a new sugar suspension agreement. This milestone is an important one as we work to maintain our existing, robust trade of U.S. grains and related products while awaiting the beginning of NAFTA modernization negotiations. “Mexico is …
Conaway Applauds Delay of Compliance Dates for FSMA Agricultural Water Standards
“Producers need additional time to come into compliance with FSMA’s produce safety rules and I commend the FDA for providing this needed flexibility.” House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) issued the following statement after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its intention to delay the compliance dates for agricultural water requirements in the FDA Food Safety …
Perdue Statement on Sugar Agreement with Mexico
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued a statement regarding a new agreement between the United States and Mexico regarding the importation of Mexican sugar. The U.S. Department of Commerce has been reviewing a 2014 agreement with the government of Mexico and the Mexican sugar refiners that suspended anti-dumping and countervailing duties on the import of Mexican sugar into the …
Second Lady Karen Pence, Secretary Perdue Unveil Beehive at Vice President’s Residence
Ask Public to Help Boost Pollinator Population Second Lady Karen Pence and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today unveiled a newly-installed beehive on the grounds of the Vice President’s residence, drawing attention to the plight of pollinators whose numbers are in decline. Together, the two urged Americans to do their own part to help reverse the population trend among the creatures, …
USDA Seeks Nominations for the National Organic Standards Board
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations to fill an upcoming vacancy on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), a Federal advisory committee. Written nominations, with cover letter, resume, and an advisory committee background information form, must be postmarked or received on or before by Aug. 7, 2017. The 15 member NOSB includes four organic farmers; two handlers; …
Peanut Planting Nearing Completion
According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly crop progress report, planting of the U.S. peanut crop is nearing completion. Tyron Spearman has the latest numbers. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Helps to Support Forage Development and Management PracticesMarch 6, 2026CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida …
Cotton Research and Promotion Program to be Beneficial to Cotton Producers and Importers
Third Party Review Shows Strong Returns to Program Stakeholders The 1996 Farm Bill requires the Cotton Research & Promotion Program (the Program) conduct an independent, third-party evaluation of the Program’s effectiveness every five years. The most recently executed evaluation reflected very well on the Program’s effectiveness. In summary, the analysis found strong, positive returns to cotton producers and importers as …
Urging Legislators to Support a Farm Bill for the Future
Fresh on the heels of a legislative victory in Minnesota, where passage of a tax credit bill gives young farmers better access to land, the National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) converges in Washington, D.C to advocate for a 2018 Farm Bill that renews rural economies and enables a new generation of farmers to grow the nation’s food supply.  “These …
Sonny Perdue Talks Dairy Issues with Canadian Counterpart
NAFTA renegotiations and dairy issues were some of the topics Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue discussed with Canadian leaders this week as part of his first international trip as Secretary. According to a story from Gary Crawford, they had what Perdue describes as “frank” discussions about dairy issues. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Helps to Support Forage Development and Management PracticesMarch …
Florida NRCS Sign-up Deadline is Next Week
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida wants to remind ranchers in southwest Florida that you may be able to get financial assistance for managing your property for wildlife, including the Florida panther. But the signup deadline to apply is June 16. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Helps to Support Forage Development and Management PracticesMarch 6, 2026CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch …