Trade Promotion Authority will auto-renew at the end of this month due to no congressional action. Originally authorized by Congress during the Obama administration for the advancement of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, TPA will auto-renew for another three years. The renewal comes due to the inaction by the House and Senate during a three-month window to pass a resolution of disapproval …
Senate Farm Bill Making Progress
The Senate early this week showed large support for the farm bill, or at least debate on the bill. The procedural cloture vote Monday passed easily, 89-3. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the chamber has the opportunity to finalize this bill this week. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts spoke on the Senate floor Tuesday, calling the legislation “the …
USDA Assisting Cotton Growers with Safety Net Changes
The Department of Agriculture is helping cotton farmers prepare for new safety net coverage. The Farm Service Agency is sending acreage history and yield reports to agricultural producers with generic base acres covered by the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs. USDA says the data will help producers decide the best options for how to allocate generic base …
EU, China, Working to Strengthen Trade Ties
The European Union is working to strengthen trade ties with China as the U.S. and China are embattled in a trade war. Repercussions of the trade war are being felt throughout U.S. agriculture, as the retaliatory tariffs from China will soon go into effect. Meanwhile, the EU is taking full advantage of the situation, and engaging with China to further …
Perdue: Trump Will Protect Farmers
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says President Donald Trump will protect U.S. farmers from trade retaliations. In a USA Today editorial, Perdue says if China does not soon mend its ways, “we will quickly begin fulfilling our promise to support producers.” Perdue says Trump knows U.S. farmers feed, fuel and clothe the world, and that he will “not allow U.S. agriculture …
Tyson, Merck Fund Poultry Research Facility
Merck Animal Health and Tyson Foods are providing funding to Texas A&M University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Poultry Science department to build a new research facility. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports the two companies have provided a $500,000 gift for the laboratory where scientists will focus on solving intestinal health issues in poultry. A University spokesperson says the …
Irma Storm Damage?
Federal Program Provides Help Release from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service If your area suffers damage from a natural disaster, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can help. The Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) relieves imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windÂstorms and hurricanes. Aid may include financial and technical assistance to remove debris from …
North Florida Black Farmer Files Lawsuit Against Florida Dept. of Health Over Medical Marijuana Licensing Discrimination
Exclusive Breaking News 80-Year-old Columbus Smith, a black farmer from Panama City, Florida, this morning filed a lawsuit against Florida Department of Health in the Second Judicial Court in Leon County claiming a new Florida law and the black farmers’ association written into that law unfairly restricts his ability to apply for a license to grow medical marijuana in Florida. …
Preparing for Southern Peanut Growers Conference
Pre-registration is open for the 19th annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference, July 20-22, at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida. Tyron Spearman caught up with Joy Crosby with the Georgia Peanut Commission, who provides more information about this year’s event. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida …
FMD Vaccine Bank Discussed during Farm Bill Listening Session
Back in March of this year, representatives from the beef, turkey, sheep and pork industries all testified in favor of a stronger program to protect animals from disease, especially foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). This all took place in Washington, D.C. during a hearing before the House Agriculture Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee. But this past Saturday, the House Agriculture Committee held …