From Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF ARLINGTON, VA – “We are extremely disappointed that Congress did not include an agricultural guestworker element as part of its compromise immigration reform bill that ultimately failed today. The U.S. dairy industry continues to face serious challenges obtaining and maintaining a reliable workforce, and we were hopeful that we can achieve a …
NRCS Helping to Preserve Florida’s Heritage
The dynamic between grazing and wetlands interests Peter Frederick, a wetland science and restoration professor at the University of Florida’s Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Fifteen years ago, Frederick and his wife bought 282 acres of prairie, freshwater marshes, hammocks and stands of longleaf pine. The property’s beauty and location makes it prime real estate, vulnerable to development as …
Bill Sets Up Group To Study Trucking Regulations
The National Pork Producers Council hailed introduction by Sens. John Hoeven, R-N.D., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., of legislation to revise existing trucking regulations to make them more flexible for drivers hauling livestock. The “Modernizing Agricultural Transportation Act” would establish a working group at the Department of Transportation (DOT) to examine the federal Hours of Service (HOS) rules and the Electronic …
Plan Approved for Staffing Local USDA Offices
There may be changes over the next year in how your local USDA office is staffed. Gary Crawford has the details. Plan Approved for Staffing Local USDA Offices Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources …
Three More Top USDA Vacancies Filled
Three more key USDA vacancies are now filled. Gary Crawford has the details. Three More Top USDA Vacancies Filled Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Comprehensive New NAFTA Coming Soon
Negotiators from Mexico, the U.S., and Canada are still pushing hard to get a “comprehensive” new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in place. Politico says negotiators from the three NAFTA countries have been meeting regularly in recent weeks, hoping for breakthroughs on some of the toughest issues yet to deal with. Those remaining issues include auto rules of origin, …
Responses Needed for Census of Agriculture
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) wants to remind farmers and ranchers to return your 2017 Census of Agriculture forms. Producers can respond online at www.agcounts.usda.gov or by mailing your questionnaire back in. And for those who have yet to get it done, NASS Southern Region Director Jim Ewing says they would really like for folks to get it sent …
U.S. Farmers Expect to Plant More Soybean Acreage than Corn Acreage
Planting Intentions Expected to be Down Slightly from Historic 2017 Record Year, USDA Reports Producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant an estimated 89.0 million acres of soybeans in 2018, down 1 percent from last year, according to the Prospective Plantings report released by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Planted acreage intentions for soybeans are down or unchanged …
National Agriculture Week
Today is National Agriculture Day, but as Tyron Spearman reports, we will be celebrating agriculture all week long. National Agriculture Week Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, 2026Florida …
National Ag Day Reminds Us of the Enormous Impact of Agriculture on Our Daily Lives
When most people walk into a grocery store, the shelves are stocked year-round with all the food they want, so they might not consider the origins of their food. Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, said it’s critical to know the origins of our food supply, and not just the sake of being aware. “As …