A federal jury in North Carolina decided on Friday that Smithfield Foods would have to pay a hefty dollar amount of $473.5 million dollars to neighbors of three of the company’s large hog farms. The neighbors had filed an unreasonable nuisance lawsuit because of odors, flies, and large trucks rumbling down the road. The jury says Smithfield owes the compensation …
Ag Holds Roundtable on Lawsuit Abuse
A special agriculture roundtable discussion took place on Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina. The goal was to highlight a recent wave of nuisance lawsuits in the state targeting hog farms. Lawmakers and agricultural leaders discussed the growing threat to farmers and how out-of-state lawyers are using nuisance lawsuits to get around states’ right-to-farm laws. The discussion included the economic impact …
Trump Tweets on SNAP Work Requirements
The biggest difference between the House and Senate versions of the farm bill was front and center on Twitter. President Trump jumped into the debate via Twitter, in an effort to tip the scales toward House Republicans ahead of conference negotiations. “When the House and Senate meet on the very important farm bill, hopefully, they will be able to leave …
Senate Approves Ag Appropriations Bill
The Senate earlier this week approved a number of appropriation bills, including the 2019 Agriculture appropriations bill, before heading off to a two-week long recess. The Senate voted 92-6 to pass a bill that funds the Agriculture Department and related agencies, and other federal agencies such as Transportation, Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency. Senate leadership is hopeful to pass …
Poll Shows Voters Narrowly Support Aid for Farmers
A poll by Morning Consult and Politico shows nearly six in ten voters favor President Trump’s $12 billion plan to provide aid to farmers suffering from his trade policy. Nearly 2,000 registered voters were surveyed, and 57 percent either somewhat or strongly support the farmer aid package that was announced a week ago. Support came primarily from Republicans, with nearly …
Roundtable to Discuss Nuisance Lawsuits
Agriculture leadership and lawmakers will come together Friday to discuss the threat that nuisance lawsuits pose to the U.S. agriculture industry, rural America, and farm families. North Carolina U.S. Representative David Rouzer, and Senator Thom Tillis, along with House Agriculture Committee Chair Mike Conaway, and North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, will convene the National Agriculture Leaders Roundtable, which will …
Agri View: Farm Losses from Disasters
It is almost daily that the news is speaking of losses from natural disasters across the country. Everett Griner talks about the farm losses you never hear about after a natural disaster in today’s Agri View. Farm Losses from Disasters We are officially in the hurricane season now. We will be until the last day of November. We have been …
Farmers Benefiting from Trump Tax Cuts
Farm families are reaping the benefits of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA) signed by President Donald J. Trump in December, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report. The Economic Research Service (ERS) studied 2016 Internal Revenue Service and USDA data and released findings last month showing the effective tax rate for farmers is 3 to 6 percent …
Agri View: Farm Share Continues to Decline
Do you know what the farm share of every dollar you spend for food is? Everett Griner answers this question. He also tells you why it is has continued to decline in today’s Agri View. Farm Share Continues to Decline Divide the dollar you spend on food that is produced in this country and farmers share would be less than …
USDA Designates Florida Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available Florida agricultural producers who suffered losses and damages due to Hurricane Irma, may be eligible for U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. The loans are made available under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, under two separate disaster designations. Hurricane Irma’s Impact to …