Federal Budget Deal Passed Friday Will Aid Farmers

The U.S. Senate and House moved quickly Friday to pass a budget deal that includes assistance for cotton and dairy farmers, following a brief government shutdown. President Donald J. Trump signed the bill into law this morning. The Alabama Farmers Federation’s Mitt Walker said the bill will provide a cushion for producers, which is critical because of dim market outlooks. …

Farm Disaster Relief on the Way After Irma’s Devastation

State lawmakers continue to craft tax relief for Florida’s storm-battered citrus industry, as President Donald Trump signed off Friday on billions of dollars in much-anticipated federal disaster relief. A spending bill approved by Congress and Trump includes nearly $90 billion for disaster relief, with $2.36 billion aimed at assisting the agriculture industry for losses from Hurricane Irma in Florida, Hurricane …

NCC: New Cotton Policy Gives Much Needed Boost

The National Cotton Council (NCC) greatly appreciates Congress’ passage of a supplemental disaster bill that includes critically needed policy that restores eligibility for cotton in the Title I Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs of the farm bill. The legislation also includes important agricultural disaster assistance, as well as additional support to dairy producers. “This measure will provide …

Florida Cattlemen Hoping for More Dollars in Ag Lands Program

This week the Florida House and Senate passed their versions of a state budget. Florida Cattlemen’s Association Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, says they are asking for an increase in the Rural and Family Lands Program. Florida Cattlemen Hoping for More Dollars in Ag Lands Programs Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, …

Groups Want Injunction Against WOTUS Rule

The National Pork Producers Council and a diverse coalition of agricultural and business groups late Wednesday (2/7/2018) – in the case American Farm Bureau Federation, et. al. vs. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – filed a request in federal court for a nationwide preliminary injunction against enforcement of the Obama administration’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule. The Clean …

USMEF Reports on Beef Exports at Cattle Industry Convention

Last week during the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, the Beef Checkoff Program Export Growth Committee got a report from the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) concerning 2017 beef exports. Joe Schuele has the story. USMEF Reports on Beef Exports at Cattle Industry Convention And our coverage of the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention is brought to you by …

Canada Offering Livestock Producers Tax Relief

The Government of Canada Wednesday released the final list of designated regions where livestock tax deferral has been authorized for 2017 due to drought, flood or excess moisture. In November, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced the initial list of designated regions in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec, for livestock tax deferral purposes. But, the agency says ongoing analysis has …

New Records for U.S. Beef Export Value, Pork Export Volume in 2017

2017 was a record-breaking year for U.S. red meat exports, with beef export value exceeding $7 billion for only the second time. Pork exports, meanwhile, easily surpassed the previous year’s volume record. The U.S. Meat Export Federation reports beef exports totaled 1.26 million metric tons, up six percent from 2016. This was the fourth-largest volume on record and the second-largest …