(WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2022) — “Today, the U.S. Trade Representative announced that the United States has prevailed in the first dispute settlement panel proceeding under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The panel agreed with the United States that Canada is unfairly restricting access to its market for U.S. dairy products by breaching its USMCA commitments regarding allocation of dairy tariff rate quotas (TRQs). …
United States Prevails in USMCA Dispute on Canadian Dairy Restrictions
From the office of the United States Trade Representative Biden-Harris Administration Secures Significant Trade Enforcement Victory for U.S. Dairy Farmers, Workers, and Exporters (WASHINGTON/January 04, 2022) — United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced that the United States has prevailed in the first dispute settlement panel proceeding ever brought under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). A USMCA panel agreed with …
Signup Continues for 2022 Dairy Margin Coverage Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind producers that signup for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program continues until Feb. 18, 2022. DMC enables producers to get coverage through this important safety-net program for another year as well as get additional assistance through the new Supplemental DMC. Supplemental DMC will provide $580 million to better help small- and …
NCBA Dealing with EPA Issues, Including WOTUS
While 2021 has been a busy year for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), their efforts on many fronts will continue in 2022. NCBA Chief Environmental Counsel Scott Yager explains what some of those issues are as they deal with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). And when it comes to the Waters of the United States (WOTUS), Yager says NCBA is working …
A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer
As we celebrate Christmas this year, Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman brings back an old favorite, “A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer” written by S. Omar Barker. A COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS PRAYERby S. Omar Barker (1895-1985) I ain’t much good at prayin’,and You may not know me, Lord —For I ain’t much seen in churches,where they preach Thy Holy Word.But you may have observed …
New H-2A Labor Wages Effective Dec. 29
A recent issue of the Florida Citrus Mutual Triangle newsletter provided information about the wage that growers must pay H-2A labor, effective Dec. 29. H-2A workers are foreign agricultural workers who are allowed to work in the United States temporarily. In recent years, the vast majority of Florida citrus has been harvested by H-2A workers. The Employment and Training Administration …
Port Problems Plague Producers
The ongoing supply-chain crisis is a big headache to businesses and consumers alike, with no end in sight for the immediate future. Perishable products are particularly at risk, as even a week or two delay can affect product quality. The port delays that caused the supply-chain crisis began on the West Coast with labor shortages due to the pandemic. These …
Dairy Industry Commends House Passage of Ocean Shipping Reform Act
The U.S. House of Representatives did pass the bipartisan Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 (OSRA) this week on an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 364 – 60. The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) issued a release noting their proactive efforts throughout the year helped to lead efforts to alleviate dairy supply chain disruptions, and passage of this bill …
USDA Opens 2022 Sign-up for Dairy Margin Coverage
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened sign-up for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program and notes they’ve expanded the program to allow dairy producers to better protect their operations by enrolling supplemental production. Supplemental DMC will help small and mid-sized dairy operations that have increased production over the years but were not able to enroll the additional production. …
Challenges When Caring for Livestock in the Winter Time
How to care for Livestock in the winter time. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Winter can present challenges when caring for livestock, when it comes to protection, food, and care. Starting with their water source, you’ll need to regulate water temperatures to avoid freezing. Also, monitor the quality of the water. Is it muddy, dirty, or contaminated? …