The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Alabama as a result of rainfall and flooding from April 1 through June 30, 2018. The loans are available in the following counties: Colbert, Franklin, Lamar, Lauderdale, Marion, Mobile, …
Gingrich, Ivey Address Farmers at Annual Meeting
Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich told tales of politics, President Donald Trump and predictions for the next election cycle to over 1,200 farmers in Montgomery, Alabama, on Dec. 3. Gingrich’s keynote address concluded two days of business sessions and awards presentations during the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 97th annual meeting. “Tension is building because it is …
Secretary Perdue Names NRCS Chief
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of Matthew J. “Matt” Lohr to serve as Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In his role, Lohr will provide leadership for NRCS and its mission to support America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in their voluntary conservation efforts through a network of over …
U.S.-China Take Step to Resolve Trade Differences
News of progress in resolving a U.S.-Chinese trade dispute has several in the ag sector expressing levels of optimism. Rod Bain has the story. U.S.-China Take Step to Resolve Trade Differences Source for below: American Soybean Association Soybean Growers Relieved to Hear Positive Trade News from G20 The American Soybean Association (ASA) was pleased to hear positive reports from the …
USDA Announces Peanut Standards Board Appointments
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of three producers and three industry representatives to serve on the Peanut Standards Board. The appointments will fill member seats that became vacant when the current terms expired on June 30, 2018. All appointees will serve the remainder of three-year terms ending June 30, 2021. Appointed are: Southeast Region (Alabama, Georgia and Florida) …
U.S. Pork Losses from Trade Dispute with Mexico: $1.5 Billion
Losses Attributed to China Dispute Estimated at $1 Billion The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) called for an end to a trade dispute that has cost U.S. pork producers an estimated $1.5 billion this year, according to Iowa State University Economist Dermot Hayes. “We are very pleased with the new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada, one that preserves zero-tariff …
Agriculture Groups Respond to USMCA Signing
American Farm Bureau Federation USMCA Agreement Important Relief for Agriculture The following statement can be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Today’s signing of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement continues the progress American farmers and ranchers have made since the North American Free Trade Agreement took effect in 1994. “Agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico increased from $8.9 billion to …
Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried Announces Full Transition Team
Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried announced her full transition team as she prepares to take office as Florida’s next Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “We have brought people together from all corners of our state and all walks of life to help build a Department that will respect the priority issues of the people and work hard to deliver results,” shared Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried. “From …
Secretary Perdue Comments on Signing of USMCA
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the signing of the new trade pact, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), replacing the outdated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): “I have often said that we live in the best neighborhood on Earth – North America – and the signing of a new trade agreement with Mexico and …
NCBA Welcomes USMCA Signing, Will Work with Congress to Secure Passage
President Kevin Kester issued the following statement in response to the signing of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA): “With the signing of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), U.S. beef producers are one step closer to knowing that unrestricted, science-based trade will continue in North America. The agreement brings the trading relationship with our neighbors into the 21st century – and clearly rejects …