Expert Says Innovation Crucial for the Future of Ag

Dan Agri-Business, Technology

The future of ag relies on innovation. That message came from Dr. Daniel Sumner, from the Dept. of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of California, Davis. He was speaking at the Agri-Pulse Food and Ag Issues Summit West, held in Sacramento, California on Monday. The event pulled together agricultural leaders to discuss the industry from several different angles. …

Beagle Brigade Act Gaining Support

Dan Agri-Business, Legislative, Regulation

by Sabrina Halvorson Support is growing for the Beagle Brigade Act. Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI-08) introduced the bill in the House and says it’s a vital act for agriculture. “It’s an act with a cute name but a very important purpose. The Beagle Brigade Act helps protect America’s food supply from foreign pests from diseases that come in through …

West Coast Labor Dispute Affecting Red Meat Exports

Dan Agri-Business, Beef, Cattle, Exports/Imports, Labor and Immigration, Livestock, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)

Contract negotiations between West Coast longshoremen and container terminal operators faced a breakdown last Friday, as work stoppages effectively closed the Port of Oakland and slowed operations up and down the coast. And that is affecting the shipping of agricultural products, including red meat. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO, Dan Halstrom, explains why the West Coast port labor impasse is of …

Groups Pushing for Passage of Shipping Reform Implementation Act

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, This Land of Ours, Trade

Another push for the Shipping Reform Implementation Act. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act (HR 1836) is designed to help with slowdowns and other issues at U.S. ports. The Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act follows the Ocean Shipping Reform Act passed a year ago. The first bill gave the Federal Maritime Commission …

Secretary Vilsack Regarding USMCA Dispute Settlement Consultations Request on Mexico’s Agricultural Biotechnology Measures

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, Trade

(USDA/WASHINGTON DC/June 2, 2023) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) that the United States has requested dispute settlement consultations with Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). These consultations are in regard to Mexico’s agricultural biotechnology policies. “USDA supports success for all farmers, and that means …

Trade Mission Focuses on Opportunities in Japan

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, General, This Land of Ours, Trade

An upcoming trade mission looks to expand opportunities in Japan. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. In just a few days, dozens of agriculture professionals and state ag leaders will head to Japan with USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor. Japan is the fourth-largest market for U.S. food and agricultural exports. In 2022, …

Former Mexico Trade Negotiator on USMCA Specialty Crop Protections

Dan Agri-Business, Specialty Crops, Trade

by Sabrina Halvorson As U.S. lawmakers consider ways to prevent Mexico’s seasonal produce from flooding U.S. markets, Mexican trade officials are watching. Former Chief Trade Negotiator for Mexico and current partner at AGON, Kenneth Smith Ramos says the U.S. must remember to remain within the confines of the U.S-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) as it looks at ways to protect domestic …

Lab-Grown Meat Carbon Footprint Potentially Greater than Retail Beef

Dan Agri-Business, Beef, Cattle, Economy, Marketing, Research, This Land of Ours

Is lab-grown meat worse for the environment? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new report suggests lab-grown meat may have a larger carbon footprint than retail beef. Researchers at the University of California-Davis found that lab-grown or “cultivated” meat’s environmental impact is likely to be “orders of magnitude” higher than retail beef based. Researchers conducted a life-cycle …