House and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairmen Mike Conaway (R-Texas) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Ranking Members Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) released the text of the bipartisan, bicameral 2018 Farm Bill conference report. “America’s farmers and ranchers are weathering the fifth year of severe recession, so passing a farm bill this week that strengthens the farm safety net …
Desantis Transition Panel Weighs Water Issues
Money set aside annually for the restoration of the Everglades and other waterways should also help end the use of septic tanks, a former House speaker suggested Monday as a panel considered potential environmental policies for Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis. Former Speaker Steve Crisafulli said the incoming governor should tap the “Legacy Florida” funding to aid conversions from septic tanks to …
Cattlemen Urge Action to Reduce Trade Barriers in Japan
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Kevin Kester urged the Trump Administration to move quickly to tear down trade barriers for U.S. beef in Japan. Speaking at a public hearing on the potential economic impact of a U.S.-Japan bilateral trade agreement, Kester noted that reducing tariff and non-tariff trade barriers would benefit Japanese consumers and U.S. cattle producers. Japan is the top …
General Session at Commodity Classic Promises to Inspire and Inform
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has also been invited to speak. The General Session at Commodity Classic is one of the most highly-rated experiences during the three-day farmer-driven event—and the 2019 version promises to be as well. The 2019 Commodity Classic will be held Thursday, February 28 through Saturday, March 2 in Orlando, Fla. Keynote speaker for Friday’s General …
Come Hear Top Speakers at 24th Annual National Ethanol Conference
A former U.S. Senate Majority Leader. A top General Motors powertrain executive. A well-known energy economist. Co-hosts of a popular Showtime political documentary series. Come hear these and many other top speakers and experts at the 2019 National Ethanol Conference (NEC), which is now just a few months away. The NEC will be held in Orlando, Feb. 11-13, 2019. The …
Market Facilitation Program Payments Stuck at OMB
Farmers thought they’d have more details on the second round of USDA trade-aid payments by now. However, Farm Journal says the payments are still under negotiations. USDA is negotiating with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for that second round of payments under the Market Facilitation Program. USDA had originally intended to release the information today, Monday, December 10, …
Dairy Farmers Want Access to Japan
America’s dairy farmers are urging President Trump to work on opening up the Japanese market as soon as possible. Officials are getting ready to begin trade talks between the two countries next month. The National Milk Producers Federation was one of four groups that gave testimony at the U.S. International Trade Commission hearing on the potential trade pact. The Office …
U.S. Beef Gains New Market Access in Morocco
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the government of Morocco has agreed to allow imports of U.S. beef and beef products into Morocco. 2018 is the first year that U.S. beef and poultry exporters have access to Morocco’s market under the terms of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Morocco opened its …
NMPF Applauds USDA Support for More Milk Options in School Meals
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) commended Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for returning low-fat (1%) flavored milk as part of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. The final rule implementing regulatory changes needed to add low-fat flavored milk to more school menus and other nutrition programs serving children was announced by the USDA and will be published later this month …
National Chicken Council Launches New Website Designed Exclusively for Foodservice Professionals
Platform Debuts Amidst New Survey Data Revealing Chicken Consumption Out of Home Is Growing and Consumers’ Desire More Information About the Chicken They Buy and Eat Recognizing consumers’ desire for more information when they’re dining out, the National Chicken Council (NCC) recently launched a new website designed exclusively for foodservice and culinary professionals to learn more about how the chicken …