South Florida’s water troubles continued to be a hot political issue Friday after Gov. Rick Scott said the U.S. Senate is backing the state’s plan to build a reservoir in the Everglades Agricultural Area. The announcement came on the same day two Democratic Cabinet candidates — Nikki Fried, who is running for agriculture commissioner, and Jeremy Ring, who is running …
University Analysis: EPA’s Refiner Waivers Could Cost Ethanol Industry $20 Billion in Losses
A recent analysis by economists at the University of Missouri’s Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) shows that the U.S. ethanol industry could lose 4.6 billion gallons of domestic demand and nearly $20 billion in sales revenue over the next six years if the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues its current practice of exempting dozens of small refiners from …
ASTA Requests Exemptions for Seeds on Proposed Chinese Tariffs List
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) is requesting that seeds for sowing be exempted from the proposed list of supplemental retaliatory tariffs on China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The request was made in a formal letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. “While we support the administration’s push for stronger intellectual property protection and enforcement globally, at …
Farm Bill Merging Process Underway
President Donald Trump has called on Congress to pass a farm bill with work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. However, there appears to be no clear path forward for the bill if the requirements are included. The bipartisan Senate version of the bill does not include the requirements, and Senators say a bill with the requirements will not …
Canada, U.S. NAFTA Talks Appear to be Progressing
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks between the U.S. and Canada continue as farm leaders remain hopeful an agreement will be made soon. A small group of state Farm Bureau President’s met with the administration this week and walked away with a positive view that an agreement could quickly be made, along with the future of trade talks …
Roberts, Stabenow Announce Ag Trade Hearing
The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a trade hearing next week, titled “Perspectives on U.S. Agricultural Trade.” Among those attending the hearing is Dr. Robert Johansson, the Chief Economist at the Department of Agriculture and mastermind behind the USDA trade mitigation package formulas. The hearing could serve as a chance for Congress to better understand how Johansson figured the payment …
August Rural Mainstreet Index Rises, Ag Worries Remain
The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index climbed above growth neutral in August for a seventh straight month. The monthly survey of bank CEO’s in ten Midwestern states climbed to 54.8 from 53.8 in July. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral. Organizer Ernie Goss says recent surveys show the Rural Mainstreet economy is expanding outside …
Tariffs Impacting Ag Equipment Manufactures, Dealers
A survey by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers finds steel and aluminum tariffs are harming the industry. The survey, primarily focused on the current new equipment inventory levels, shows both dealers and manufacturers are aware of the potential effect of steel and aluminum tariffs on the industry. The survey found that overall, new inventory numbers are favorable, when traditionally dealers …
ASA Focusing on Monarch habitat
While trade issues remain a top priority for the soy industry, the American Soybean Association (ASA) is taking a moment this fall to highlight the importance of monarch habitat in its overall conservation efforts, which include soil and water quality, and pollinator preservation. This week, ASA launched a month-long effort on social media to showcase the importance of monarch habitat. …
USDA Partners with HHS to Support Rural Communities Combating Opioid Misuse
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that a group of Cooperative Extension partners will have the opportunity to apply for grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help communities combat opioid use disorders. HHS intends to build on successful 2017 and 2018 National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Rural Health and Safety Education …